The Multi-National Security Transition Command - Iraq s Official Weekly Command Information Report Feb.

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1 The Multi-National Security Transition Command - Iraq s Official Weekly Command Information Report Feb. 12, 2005 Also Inside: Iraqi Police Commandos Get Connected Meet MNSTC-I s New Command Sergeant Major NATO Training Mission Gets New Commander Secretary of Defense Visits Iraq, Checks Progress

2 Vol. 2 Issue 7 February 12, 2005 MNSTC-I Commanding General Lt. Gen. David H. Petraeus Command Sergeant Major U.S. Marine Corps Command Sgt. Maj. Ronnie L. Edwards Public Affairs Officer: Capt. Steve Alvarez Deputy Public Affairs Officer Capt. Tim Jeffers Community Relations/Operations NCO Sgt. 1st Class Allen R. Thomas Public Affairs Specialist Sgt. Matt Murphy Public Affairs Specialist Sgt. Lorie Jewell The Advisor is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. Defense Department and multinational partners. Contents of this paper are not necessarily the official views of the U.S. government, multinational partners or the U.S. Dept. of Defense. The editorial content of this publication is the responsibility of the Public Affairs Office of the Multi-National Security Transition Command - Iraq. Questions and comments should be directed to the public affairs office: pao@mnstci.iraq.centcom.mil To subscribe to The Advisor, visit us online at: Cover: An artistic photo rendering of Iraqi soldiers carrying their country s flag. In Memory of a Fallen Comrade... By Sgt. Matt Murphy MNSTC-I Public Affairs MUTHANNA AIRPORT, Iraq The Iraqi holiday of Ashoora soon approaches. It is the commemoration of Imam Hussain, a great man to Muslims, who gave his life for his beliefs hundreds of years ago. This story is about Khasem Mohammed Bahani who gave his life for his beliefs only a few weeks ago. This is an account of how an Iraqi Soldier gave his life to protect the lives of others, to protect his freedoms, and his dedication to God and country. The following event occurred on Jan. 19, 2005 as told by Khasem s colleagues: First Account: A verse from the Holy Quran: Some of the believers were honest with their promise to God, a few of them were dead, others are waiting their death but nothing could change their faith. A martyr named Khasem Mohammed Bahani, was in the line of duty at Muthanna airport when a Kia truck approached. It was a suicide bomber. Khasem attempted to stop the car, but the driver did not obey. The driver was determined to cause death and destruction. Khasem saw the driver would not stop and he shot at the car causing it to crash. The crash cut the electrical power to a circle of bombs so not all of them went off. There was about one ton of explosives. The remote control fell from the driver s hand allowing only a fourth of the explosives to ignite. The amount that did explode however, caused the death of Khasem, several other civilians, and the terrorist. We all are to God, we are all going to return back to God. Second Account: In the name of God most gracious merciful, God s promise is true. On the morning of the 19th around 8:30 in the morning while we were on duty at Muthanna airport, one of the enemies of democracy came at us. This enemy of humanity was driving a Kia pick-up full of explosives. The martyr Khasem Mohammed Bahani approached him, ordered him to stop, but the driver did not oblige him. The martyr shot driver, causing him to let loose of the remote control detonator. The hero and martyr went to the march of all honest Iraqis who serve the country truthfully. The hero sacrificed himself for the sake of other fighting brothers who still continue to fight for democracy. These terrorists are cowards. The martyr Khasem was one of my friends, he was like a brother to me, my colleague in the army. We ask God to bless his soul and let him be in heaven. Our prophet said, The martyr is the one who gets life when he defends his home, honor, and values. We promise the Iraqi people to stay true to them the same way the martyr Khasem did. God bless Iraq and protect it from any damage. The soldiers interviewed cannot be identified for safety reasons. In their own words, they expressed gratitude for the opportunity to share this story of a man they describe as a hero and a brother. The Advisor Multi-National Security Transition Command Iraq 2

3 Iraqi Police Commandos Get Connected By Sgt. Matt Murphy MNSTC-I Public Affairs UNDISCLOSED LOCATION, Iraq The Iraqi Police Commandos Headquarters is now home to a nationwide command, control, communications, computer and intelligence operations center. Satellite phones, communications and Internet satellites, Internet connectivity, and new computers are at the heart of the new center. The operations center will allow the Commandos to obtain instantaneous reports throughout the country and provide a direct link to the Ministry of Interior, said the commander of operations for the Commandos. In Iraq we have a saying - one hand cannot clap. The American and multinational troops give great support to the commandos, Iraqi Police Commandos liaison officer. the equipment, supplies, munitions, phones, and training, he added. In addition to the direct link at the Ministry of Interior National Command Center, the commandos operations center will also have direct contact with MNSTC-I forward operating bases to coordinate with multinational troops for future The operation center will allow the Police Commandos to provide immediate updates to their deployed brigade and battalion headquarters, call in immediate support, deliver timely reports, assess supplies and soldier conditions, and deliver limited intelligence. U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. K. Kapono Bangay installs a communications satellite in use at the Iraqi Police Commandos new operations center. -Photo By Sgt. Matt Murphy In Iraq we have a saying one hand cannot clap. The American and multinational troops give great support to the commandos, the Iraqi Police Commando liaison officer to the Multi-National Security Transition Command Iraq said. This is the first Iraqi force created in the organization of the Ministry of Interior to fight the insurgency. The Americans have provided Iraqi contractors install an Internet satellite at the Iraqi Police Commandos new operations center. -Photo By Sgt. Matt Murphy missions. U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeants Rickey Anderson and K. Kapono Bangay worked with Iraqi contractors to install the satellites, computers, and Internet connectivity. We re here to assist the Iraqi contractors with the satellite installations and make sure the computers are installed and fully functional for the operations center, Sgt. Anderson said. U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Rickey Anderson configures one of several new computers being used at the Iraqi Police Commandos new operations center. -Photo By Sgt. Matt Murphy U.S. military officials overseeing the project said the cost for this operations center was approximately $50,000 in equipment and connectivity. The Advisor Multi-National Security Transition Command Iraq 3

4 Meet MNSTC-I s New Command Sergeant Major By Sgt. Lorie Jewell MNSTC-I Public Affairs BAGHDAD, Iraq As he enters the twilight of his career, U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Ronnie Edwards is capping nearly three decades of military service on a high note. For Edwards, 47, it doesn t matter that his final verse plays out in a combat zone. As the senior enlisted adviser for the Multi-National Security Transition Command Iraq, Edwards sees the joint nature of his post as a rich dessert at the end of a long feast. In talking to my peers, this is something we all want to do. But there are only so many opportunities available, said Edwards, who arrived about three weeks ago from Marine Corps Headquarters at Quantico, Va. This is the ultimate assignment. Most sergeant majors would give their right arm for it. There s equal fervor in having a hand in MNSTC-I s mission. What we re doing here sets the tone for pretty much everything else, for when the majority of forces will leave the country, Edwards said. We re here to train and equip the Iraqi security forces. The sooner we get that done and the sooner Iraqis can take control of their country, the sooner coalition forces can go home. So the mission is very, very important, and I m proud to be part of it. Much of the focus of his job is on force protection at the Phoenix base, where MNSTC-I operates from, and other operating bases in Iraq, Edwards said. He s already visited bases in Taji, Mosul, Al Kasik, Tal Afar and Kirkush to check on troops, introduce himself and show his support. At home base, Edwards met with enlisted members from each of the services under his command within his first week to get to know them, and give them some insight into his leadership style. While he expects troops to use their chain of command to address issues or problems, he also welcomes them to come to him when necessary. I am approachable, I have an open-door policy, he said. I m here for them. There are three elements of leadership Edwards said he sticks to: being fair, firm, and compassionate. I ve learned over the course of the years that if I can do those three things, I can go home and sleep at night and not worry if I ve made a difference, he said. In 29 years of service, Edwards has had plenty of opportunities to hone his leadership philosophy. At Quantico, he worked in manpower for reserve affairs, handling personnel, family readiness and quality of life issues. In his younger days, he was an infantryman. A few turns at leading squads and platoons led him to drill sergeant posts at Command Sgt. Maj. Ronnie Edwards takes the helm as MNSTC-I s top enlisted man. -Photo By Sgt. Lorie Jewell Parris Island and Office Candidate School. He s worked security at embassies in Africa and Germany and with the U.S. Navy, guarding nuclear weapons in Bangor, Wa. He served in Desert Storm and at the Marine Barracks in Washington, D.C. Growing up in Greenville, Miss., Edwards developed an early fascination with all things military. An older brother served in the Army and would take him on tours of Fort Hood, Texas from time to time. He had an idea he would join the military, but wasn t set on a particular branch until high school when a close friend joined the U.S. Marine Corps and urged him to come along. He made the decision to do it, enlisted and was off to boot camp within six days. His original goal was to stay in three or four years, long enough to make sergeant. I fell in love with the Corps, I liked everything it stood for the discipline, the way we take care of each other, the travel, he said. And I kept getting promoted and getting good assignments. For as much as he puts into the military side of his life, Edwards is committed to enjoying a healthy personal life as well. Married since 1981 to his wife, Frenchie, the couple has two children Ronnie II, 22, who finished a stint in the Army a year ago, and Ciera, 13, who aspires to be either a ballerina or a veterinarian. He enjoys running, working out and golf; he cheers for the Dallas Cowboys and the Atlanta Braves. In whatever he does, Edwards said he believes in having a good time. He s quick to smile and loves a good laugh. He describes himself as easy going and slow to anger. We have a serious mission here, Edwards said. But I believe you can have fun and accomplish the mission. For this six-month tour his last Hoorah Edwards is determined to make that happen. The Advisor Multi-National Security Transition Command Iraq 4

5 NATO Training Mission Gets New Commander By Maj. Cynthia Teramae NATO Training Mission BAGHDAD, Iraq Maj. Gen. Agner Rokos, Denmark Army, assumed the position of deputy commander, NATO Training Mission Iraq (NTM-I) in a ceremony Feb. 6, at NTM-I Headquarters, Baghdad. Rokos replaced Maj. Gen. Carel G.J. Hilderink, Royal Netherlands Air Force, who retires after 37 years of service to his country. During his assignment with the NTM-I, Hilderink first served as the commander NATO Training Implementation Mission Iraq from its inception in August 2004, until October 2004 when he assumed the duty as deputy commander for the new mission. The NTM-I is focusing on providing training and advice to the Iraqi Ministry of Defence and the Iraqi Security Forces middle to senior-level leaders as well as the coordination of equipment assistance for ISF. Additionally, NTM-I will assist the Iraqi Ministry of Defence in the establishment of an Iraqi-led Training, Education and Doctrine Centre (TEDC) near Baghdad. I want to thank Maj. Gen. Hilderink for his assistance during the election period. And I would like to thank the Iraqi Security Forces for their role in providing security that allowed more than 8 million people to vote in Iraq s first independent elections in 50 years, said Lt. Gen. David Petraeus, who is dual-hatted as the commander of NTM I and the Multi-National Security Transition Command Iraq. Petraeus recognized Hilderink and the NATO Training Mission for their contributions to help stand up the Iraqi Military Academy at Ar Rustamiyah and the Staff College, providing strategic advice, and helping the MOD develop their professional military education program. The credit for all this goes to Maj. Gen. Hilderink and the members of NTM and those who came before, Petraeus said. Hilderink began his career in 1966 as an air cadet at the Royal Military Academy in Breda. Throughout his career he served in various positions of increasing responsibility to include serving as a United Nations observer in the Middle East, deputy head of the Department for Conceptual Affairs of the Defence Staff, commandant of the Royal Netherlands Air Force Military School, director of personnel of the Royal Netherlands Air Force and commandant of the Royal Netherlands Military Academy in Breda. During the ceremony, Petraeus acknowledged Hilderink for his outstanding contributions to the mission. Hilderink developed Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Interior command and control resources for Iraqi training institutions and the first Iraqi Training Command. He also established an effective system and detailed processes to accept national equipment and training offers and ensured the offers complemented the Iraqi force structure and modernization goals. Petraeus warmly welcomed Rokos to the mission. I wish Maj. Gen. Rokos and his team all the best of luck and that they will have a very successful six months, Petraeus said. Rokos, a native of Noerresundby, Denmark, began his military career in The Royal Danish Military Academy in 1979 and was later posted to The King s Jutland Foot Regiment. Lt. Gen. David Petraeus, commander NATO Training Mission Iraq prepares to pin an award on Netherlands Royal Air Force Maj. Gen. Carel G.J. Hilderink upon his departure as the deputy commander, NTM I. -Photo by Maj. Cynthia Teramae He was previously assigned as the commanding officer of the Danish Reaction Brigade before his appointment to NTM-I. He has served in various command and staff positions to include commanding officer Nordic-Polish Battle group and commanding officer/dancon, team 13 SFOR, and commanding officer Jutland Dragoon Regiment. The Advisor Multi-National Security Transition Command Iraq 5

6 Iraqi Pilots Fly Prime Minister for First C-130 Mission By Sgt. Lorie Jewell MNSTC-I Public Affairs BAGHDAD, Iraq Two days after their first training flight on a C-130 cargo plane, a crew from an Iraqi Air Force squadron was back in the cockpit Feb. 12 for their first mission: flying Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi round trip from Baghdad to As Sulaymaniwah West. The Iraqi pilot who flew the aircraft described the mission as a great honor, one he was grateful to participate in. Allawi arrived at the landing zone by helicopter and quickly greeted the Squadron 23 crew as he boarded the cargo plane. It s a big job, said the pilot, who asked not to be identified for security reasons. It s a great thing to do, and we appreciate the Americans help in getting us trained to do this. The Iraqi Air Force has three C-130 cargo planes in its fleet, gifts from the United States. -Photo by Sgt. Lorie Jewell The Iraqi crew included an engineer, load master and navigator along with the pilot. They just happened to be on the flight schedule when Allawi needed transportation, said Maj. Mike Frame, a U.S. Air Force pilot with the 777th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron who is training the Iraqis with five other U.S. crew members from the squadron. They were randomly picked, Frame said, smiling as he put his arm around the pilot. He is their best pilot, though. Frame said he feels fortunate to have the job of helping train members of Iraq s Air Force and witnessing it taking shape. How many times does anyone get a chance to do something like this? he said. It s just amazing. Getting the crew members up to speed to fly C-130s wasn t too difficult, Frame said. All have prior experience, they just didn t have the opportunity to maintain or expand their skills until Saddam Hussein was no longer in power, he said. The crews are much better than we expected, Frame said. They just need some time to get acquainted with the new plane and new flying procedures. The Iraqi crew completed a training mission Feb. 9 their first time ever in the cockpit of a C-130 in which they flew five other crews from their Talil, Iraq-based squadron to Amman, Jordan. Four of the crews are going through training in Amman; the fifth continued on for Hercules simulator training in Little Rock, Ark. Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi greets Master Sgt. John Spillane, a loadmaster with the 777th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron as he boards the Iraqi Air Force C- 130 to be flown by an Iraqi aircrew. -Photo by Sgt. Lorie Jewell The United States gave Iraq three C-130 cargo planes in January to help incorporate airlift capabilities into their Air Force. The planes were overhauled and given new exterior paint jobs, which included Iraqi flags on the tail sections. The Advisor Multi-National Security Transition Command Iraq 6

7 Iraqi Security Forces News Briefs Iraqi Police graduate 193 from regional basic police training courses Feb. 9 BAGHDAD, Iraq The Iraqi Police graduated 193 police recruits from two regional basic police training academies Feb. 9. The Al Asad Regional Academy graduated 58 while the Basrah Academy graduated 135. Police recruits at both academies completed the 8-week basic police training course. The course is taught by certified police trainers and consists of both academic and operational policing classes. The program is designed to provide basic police academy training that introduces and reinforces human rights knowledge, democratic policing principles and modern policing techniques. The new police officers will return to their respective duty stations and take up their new assignments in the coming days. Iraqi Police graduate 14 SWAT officers Feb. 10 BAGHDAD, Iraq The Iraqi Police graduated 14 officers from the Provincial SWAT (special weapons and tactics) training course Feb. 10. The officers completed a specialized four week training curriculum that places a heavy emphasis on weapons training and includes training in dynamic entries, mechanical breaching, diversionary devices, sniper training and offensive driving skills. The provincial SWAT teams are provincial-level, high end, rapid response, tactical units responsible for high-risk arrest and hostage rescue. They provide a special weapons and tactics capability to the provincial or city police commander. To date, 142 officers have previously completed the course and are operating in various areas throughout Iraq, including Baghdad, Basrah, Najaf and Kirkuk. Iraqi Police graduate 272 from specialty training courses Feb. 10 BAGHDAD, Iraq The Iraqi Police Service graduated 272 officers from seven specialty training courses taught at the Adnan Training Center located in Baghdad Feb. 10. The advanced training is part of the Iraqi Government s ongoing effort to train up its security forces. The courses, consisting of basic criminal investigation, interview and interrogation, incident command system, internal control investigation, executive leadership, first-line supervision, and first responder radio training ran 32, 39, 15, 29, 12, 12 and 133 students respectively. The one or two week specialty courses are intended to augment the eight-week basic police training new recruits undergo prior to service, and the three-week training course for prior service officers. The first responder radio training course is the first class offered that will instruct police officers in the use of a radio designed for first responders to a critical incident. The initial batch of radios were distributed to officers in Baghdad. Ultimately they will be issued to not only police but fire, emergency medical technicians as well as border patrols on a countrywide basis. This will allow all first responders to communicate with a central command center to provide a coordinated response to critical incidents. Officers attending the courses came from areas throughout Iraq and will return to their respective stations for continued duty immediately following graduation. Iraqi Highway Patrol graduates 50 from training course Feb. 10 BAGHDAD, Iraq The Iraqi Highway Patrol graduated 50 recruits from the Transition Integration Program course held at the Adnan Palace in Baghdad. The officers completed a three-week training course that combined components of police ethics and policing in a democratic society with the operational skills needed by the IHP in preparation for their mission to secure the nation s highways. A strong emphasis was given to firearms training and survival skills training. Tasked with providing law enforcement and security along Iraq s highways and major roadways, the IHP will also respond to incidents involving anti-iraqi forces, foreign terrorists, car bombs and attacks on convoys. Currently, there are approximately 600 highway patrol officers on the force which is slated to reach 6,300 officers July Fallujans Help Police Commandos Capture Suspect Feb. 11 BAGHDAD, Iraq Several days ago, 1st Battalion, 2nd Brigade, of the Iraqi Police Commandos captured a high value insurgency suspect along with a cache of explosives in Ramadi. In addition, wiring, detonators, radios, documents, and information leading to graves of Iraqi National Guardsmen were also discovered. According to Iraqi Police Commando officials, the 1st Battalion was on its way back from a mission in Fallujah where citizens provided them with information aiding in the capture. Iraqi officials say citizens in Fallujah are very upset at the insurgency for the damage to their homes. As a result, they provided useful information to the Commandos aiding the success of capturing the suspect in Ramadi. A commander in the 1st Battalion along with the rest of the Commandos worked with U.S. Marines and kept them informed of their raid in Ramadi and turned over the suspect to the Marines shortly after his capture. The Police Commandos and multinational forces are working together to coordinate missions and develop improved methods for interrogating prisoners. The suspect will be delivered to Baghdad where the Iraqi Police Commandos will conduct further interrogations. The Advisor Multi-National Security Transition Command Iraq 7

8 Secretary of Defense Tours Iraq, Checks Progress (1) (1) Coalition Military Assistance Training Team Chief of Staff Col. Fred Kienle briefs U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld at Taji, Iraq, Feb. 11, (2) U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld meets with members of the Iraqi Special Police Commandos unit in Baghdad, Iraq Feb. 11, These police commandos were injured in the line of duty. (3) U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld meets with members of the Iraqi Special Police Commandos unit in Baghdad, Iraq Feb. 11, (4) U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld and Army Gen. John Abizaid, commander, U.S. Central Command, conduct a press conference at the American Embassy in Iraq, Feb. 11, (5) U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld presents the Purple Heart Medal to Sgt. Sean Ferguson at the Combat Surgical Hospital in Mosul, Iraq, Feb. 11, Defense Dept. photos by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Cherie A. Thurlby (2) (3) (4) (5) The Advisor Space permitting, MNSTC-I Public Affairs will reprint your s, letters to the editor, and/ or article submissions. Appropriate submissions include the important developments in your section / unit that would be of interest to our readership, comments on newsletter, experiences, etc. Write: pao@mnstci.iraq.centcom.mil The Advisor Multi-National Security Transition Command Iraq 8