Good News From Iraq

Martial art mechanics teach Tae Kwon Do to Soldiers

Story and photo by Spc. Derek Del Rosario
Task Force Baghdad Public Affairs

CAMP LIBERTY — Confidence. Discipline. Passion. These may sound similar to Army values, but they’re also leadership traits Spc. Fred Jean-Francois and Sgt. Jean Valnues strive to instill in their martial arts students.

Jean-Francois and Valnues are mechanics with Headquarters and Headquarters Operations Company, Special Troops Battalion. In their off-duty time, they teach Tae Kwon Do to Soldiers at Camp Liberty.

Jean-Francois, a second-degree black belt, brings almost 20 years of experience to his students. He began teaching in 1992 in his native country of Haiti, where he has won two national championships. His interest in martial arts began in his childhood, when a classmate he looked up to showed him the passive nature of Tae Kwon Do.

“I was a bit of a troublemaker as a kid, and I would get in a lot of fights,” he said. “One classmate had a very calm character that I admired. I saw him practice Tae Kwon Do one day, and I was very impressed. So, I became interested (in martial arts) as well.”

Valnues came to the sport later in life. After he attended Jean-Francois’ class in March, he said he was immediately interested. He trained diligently, earned his green belt, and is now an assistant instructor.

“When I first came to the class, it was the first time I ever participated in Tae Kwon Do,” Valnues said. “I was hooked from the beginning. I found it very competitive and challenging.”

There are two aspects of Tae Kwon Do: form and fighting. Form is like imaginary fighting or kata. Fighting is more active and self-defense driven. It is Jean-Francois’ specialty.

Tae Kwon Do is not just a hobby for him.

“It’s a way of life, like a religion for me,” Jean-Francois said. “I think people who study Tae Kwon Do learn self-control in every aspect of life, and most importantly, discipline.”

The ideals of the martial art as preached by Jean-Francois have made Valnues a better martial artist.

“He is truly a master of his art,” Valnues said. “He makes sure people understand the moves, he’s very informative and takes a step-by-step approach to teaching, yet he remains very relaxed and approachable.”

Maj. Susan Robinson, a staff physician with 602nd Area Support Medical Company, said she takes the class to keep herself connected with her family.

“My 6-year-old son is taking Tae Kwon Do (in the United States), so talking to him about it is a real bonding experience,” Robinson said.

The instructors have stayed dedicated to their duties as mechanics, but they both agree that Tae Kwon Do has helped boost their spirits during some of the most trying periods of deployment.

“When it comes to Army life, I have no stress despite being away from family or being in Iraq,” Jean-Francois said. “Tae Kwon Do gives me the discipline to stay positive no matter what happens during this tour. That’s just the way I am, and I try to pass that positive attitude onto others.”

Valnues agrees that martial arts helped boost his morale. He also sees parallels between Tae Kwon Do and the Army. He is a leader in the motor pool, but a student when it comes to Tae Kwon Do.

“Tae Kwon Do has definitely given me more confidence and discipline, which is important in the Army,” Valnues said. “The Army structure is very similar to Tae Kwon Do, they both have a rank structure and there is a level of respect among us.”

He is a fellow Soldier at work, but in class they switch positions, said Valnues.

“I salute him by bowing to show respect,” he said.

Jean-Francois believes that physical ability is not the most important characteristic to have in order to succeed in Tae Kwon Do. He advises those who want to be successful in martial arts to have the mindset to never quit.

“You have to believe in yourself in order to succeed. When I teach, it doesn’t matter if my class has one or 100 people, I’m going to stay dedicated to teaching, and that mindset is what you need to be successful in Tae Kwon Do,” Jean-Francois said. “Tae Kwon Do is an art that is all mental. If your heart is in it, you will get to where you want to go. When life gives you a punch, you have to get back up. Never stay down.”

Massive weapons cache discovered near Kirkuk

TIKRIT, Iraq – U.S. Soldiers discovered more than 2,700 mortar rounds near an abandoned Iraqi Army base south of Kirkuk Sunday morning.

Soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division’s 2nd Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, and explosive ordnance disposal experts began the task of unearthing the weapons from a mound located in a field full of similar mounds. Iraqi and U.S. forces are securing the site and preparing to excavate the remaining mounds in search of additional weapons.

This cache alone has yielded as much explosive material as gathered in the brigade’s area over the past two months, according to the EOD team at the site.

Weapons and explosives seized by Iraqi and U.S. forces are normally moved to a secure location and disposed of through controlled detonations in order to keep them from being used against local citizens and coalition forces.

MNDCS Soldiers capture 20 suspected terrorists

CAMP ECHO, Iraq – Soldiers from Multinational Division Central-South captured 20 men suspected of terrorism in the northern part of Babil province Nov. 28.

The suspected men were armed. MNDCS Soldiers also seized machine guns, ammunition and other equipment. This equipment is secured for investigation.

Citizen tips, Soldier diligence take terrorists off streets

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Task Force Baghdad Soldiers captured four suspected terrorists during operations Nov. 24-25.

An Iraqi tipster provided information about a roadside-bomb cell operating in western Rashid. Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment responded to the tip and conducted the operation during the early-morning hours of Nov. 25, detaining three terror suspects.

The previous evening, Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 184th Infantry Regiment conducted a mission in eastern Rashid, detaining a suspected terrorist who is believed to be responsible for attacks on Coalition Forces. The suspect attempted to flee the scene as the Soldiers arrived but was unable to evade the U.S. forces.

Busy day for Iraqi, Coalition Forces

TIKRIT, Iraq – Iraqi and U.S. forces continued the fight against terrorists operating throughout the north central region of Iraq Saturday.

Sixteen suspected terrorists, including one female, were captured in a series of unrelated events.

In an early morning cordon and search mission near Baqubah, Iraqi and U.S. Soldiers detained nine suspected terrorists and seized fuses used for detonating explosives along with several anti-aircraft artillery rounds.

Police in Samarra investigated an explosion that occurred at a gas station southeast of the city Nov. 26 at about 11:30 a.m. Four 155mm artillery shells, converted into IEDs, detonated before they could be moved out of the station, killing nine suspected terrorist and injuring four others. The four injured suspects were detained by the Samarra Police.

In the nearby city of Balad, U.S. Soldiers detained a suspect at a checkpoint after he attempted to avoid questioning. A search revealed that he was carrying more than $3,000 in U.S. currency.

To finish off the day, U.S. troops conducted a clearing operation in Baqubah the evening of Nov. 26. The Soldiers detained a man and a woman after discovering them with eight blocks of C-4 plastic explosive, an AK-47 with several hundred rounds, blasting caps and various other IED-making materials.

Caches found in Operation Tigers

AR RAMADI, Iraq – Early morning efforts of Operation Numur (Tigers) by Soldiers of the Iraqi Army and Task Force 2-69, U.S. Army, have netted several caches, including two that were found along a railroad track used by local citizens.

The caches found consisted of numerous artillery and mortar rounds, rocket-propelled grenades, high explosives, small arms weapons, small arms ammunition, bulletproof vests and bomb making equipment.

The Iraqi Army spearheaded the operation by providing security, identifying cache sites and gathering important information through their interaction with the local citizens.

“These actions prove the Iraqi Army is truly making very rapid advances. With time, we will be able to secure all of Ramadi and remove all of the hidden enemy weapons cache points,” said Lt. Col. Abdul Majeed, commander of the 3-2-1 Iraqi Army.

Additionally, several suspected insurgents, to include Imad Salih Al-Fahdawi, a known insurgent linked to the Abu Khattab-al Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) terrorist cell, were detained during the operation. Imad Salih was involved in attacks against government officials and imams.

Insurgents linked to the al Qaeda in Iraq cell which is a part of the Abu Musab Zarqawi network in Ramadi have vowed to prevent the local citizens from participating in the up-coming Dec. 15 elections.

Operation Tigers is the fourth in a series of offensive operations which have been executed by the Iraqi Army and Coalition Forces of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team (from the 28th Infantry Division) assigned to 2nd Marine Division.

Operation Tigers consists of approximately 150 Iraqi Army Soldiers and 400 Coalition Forces.

Joint U.S., Iraqi patrol leads to large weapons cache

BAGHDAD, Iraq – U.S. Soldiers and Iraqi Security Forces found a large weapons cache while conducting a joint patrol in the North Babil district on the afternoon of Nov. 24.

Soldiers from 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment and Iraqi Army Soldiers from 4th Battalion, 5th Brigade discovered 15 125-millimeter mortar rounds, 20 heavy-machine gun rounds, six 60-millimeter mortar rounds, and two boxes of 14.5-millimeter ammunition.

An explosive ordnance disposal team was called to the scene and conducted a controlled detonation of the munitions.

Iraqi, U.S. forces nab terrorists, stop bomb attacks

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraqi Army and Task Force Baghdad Soldiers continued to pursue terrorists and deny them opportunities for attacks during operations in various districts of the capitol city Nov. 21-23.

During the course of more than 2,400 patrols, Iraqi and U.S. forces detained terror suspects, seized weapons caches and found improvised explosive devices before they could be detonated.

Military officials also had help from the local population as individuals came forward with information about terrorist activity.

On Nov. 21, a local resident told Soldiers from 1st Squadron, 75th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division about an IED which had been placed around a weapons cache in an area west of Baghdad. The informant also told Soldiers that three vehicles were currently at the location. U.S. forces cordoned off the area and began searching houses and questioning residents. Two terrorists were detained and processed into the Iraqi judicial system.

Another tipster reported an IED concealed in a pile of rubble along a road in east Baghdad Nov. 22. Soldiers from 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry secured the site and called in an explosive ordnance disposal team which disarmed the device consisting of two 57-millimeter rockets and a 130-millimeter round.

Public Order Brigade troops operating in Salman Pak south of Baghdad detained three terror suspects and confiscated a small weapons cache Nov. 23. The arrests also came as a result of information provided by a local resident.

Iraqi Army Soldiers working a checkpoint Nov. 22 detained three suspicious individuals in a vehicle who tried to do a quick U-turn after approaching the Soldiers. The individuals threw a compact disc out of a window and started to flee, but were quickly stopped by a squad of IA Soldiers. After being questioned, the three suspects admitted they were responsible for attacks against U.S. forces in Baghdad, Fallujah and Najaf. The CD contained documents and video footage of terrorist attacks.

In other operations, Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 70th Armored Regiment reported finding a large IED placed under an overpass in north Baghdad Nov. 22. The Soldiers secured the area and called in an EOD team to collect the explosive device.

After a convoy from 2/101st Abn. Div. struck an IED southwest of Baghdad Nov. 21, they noticed three suspicious individuals who appeared to be watching for the explosion. The three suspects exhibited signs of recently handling explosives and were detained for further questioning.

** Finally on the good news from Iraq bit, I shall give the rabid looney a mention and her highly sucessful book signing. If you look carefully I am sure you can see a tumble weed rolling past in the distance.....
Cindy Book-signing A Very Lonely Affair
(WORLDNET DAILY)

While book-signings for political figures like Bill and Hillary Clinton, Ann Coulter or Sean Hannity often feature long lines and people waiting for hours, the scene at Cindy Sheehan’s book-signing yesterday near President Bush’s Crawford, Texas, ranch was a much more lonely affair.

Photographs published by wire services including the Associated Press and Reuters depict a lonely “Peace Mom” in a virtually empty tent awaiting those seeking her autograph on her new book, “Not One More Mother’s Child.”

The Washington Post reported the scene this way: “Sheehan found herself addressing a crowd of only about 100 on Saturday afternoon. The large tent where supporters had erected a stage hung with the banner ‘Speak Truth to Power’ was only partially full. Earlier, Sheehan signed copies of her new book for an even smaller crowd.”

Sheehan’s son, Casey, was killed in the Iraq war, and Cindy has been on an anti-war and anti-Bush campaign since the summer months when she began a vigil in Crawford gaining worldwide media attention.

"What if Cindy had a book signing and no one came?” asks one poster in an online messageboard. “Well we know what happened. No one cares about her but the press. Cindy is finished.”

“Frankly I’m amazed the DNC/AP allowed these photos to see the light of day,” writes another. “Usually their photogs do their (unlevel) best to angle their cameras and crop their pictures to make Mother Sheehan always appear to be at the center of a worshipful swarm. I’m afraid someone is going to be in hot water for letting us glimpse the truth.”

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