Some Bits From Iraq...

Kirkuk -- A Turkoman family walk together to the voting station in Kirkuk so that the eligible family members can cast their votes in the Dec. 15 election of Iraq's first permanent democratic government since the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime in 2003.

(one for the Darwin awards methinks....cue another 72 virgin goats from Allah for this guy)
TIKRIT, Iraq – One terrorist was killed and another severely injured when the improvised explosive device they were attempting to emplace detonated prematurely. The incident occurred Dec. 19, near the city of Tikrit.

Tikrit police and Soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team responded to the explosion. The police officers performed first-aid on the injured bomber, who was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

The IED was composed of a 155 mm artillery shell and a detonating device, according to an explosives ordnance team investigating the explosion.

Soldiers searching the area discovered another artillery round and several other IED components in a nearby vehicle.

In addition to the wounded bomber, two other men were detained for allegedly attempting to help the surviving bomber avoid the responding security forces.

DONATION FOR KINDERGARTEN

Ad Diwaniyah, Iraq- On December 19th, MNDCS Humanitarian Assistance Coordination Center donated supplies for the kindergarten in Afak, 30 kilometers east of Ad Diwaniyah. It was another humanitarian effort to support Iraqi children.

Some of the supplies included mattresses, tables and chairs.

Toys were also donated including bicycles, children’s tents, toy cars, puzzles, wooden blocks, sport toys, and stuffed animals

In Addition more than a 100 pair of shoes and clothing were donated for the children.

During our first visit in this place, we saw that kids in this kindergarten didn’t have any toys, mattresses or school supplies. That was the reason why we decided to go there again to give some things for these children, said Polish soldiers who organized this action.

These events are very often organized by the Humanitarian Assistance Coordination Centre (HACC) which is part of MNDCS. Since August this year, thanks to HACC’s activities, MNDCS soldiers have donated 2 tons of clothing, half a thousand school supplies, 440 shoes, 700 kilograms of hygienic supplies, 70 layettes and more than 50 wheelchairs.

In September MNDCS donated medicine worth half a million US dollars for hospitals in Ad Diwaniyah. The medicine was provided by the humanitarian organization “Freedom and Peace Trust”.

MNDCS humanitarian assistance is usually provided for Iraqi schools, hospitals, elderly homes, kindergartens and orphanages.

Iraqi Army Division certified

ad Diwaniyah, Iraq -- The staff of the 8th Iraqi Army Division accomplished a certification process Dec. 20. This means the division will now have the ability to plan and conduct the operations with limited support of Coalition Forces.

The units of the 8th Division will continue to move forward to achieve the full combat readiness. In the near future, final coordination with local and central administration will be completed in order to finalize the process of battle space transfer.

The certification process was preceded by long term training, exercises and combat operations. Before certification on the division staff level, six battalions and two brigades of the 8th Iraqi Army Division completed certification process towards the goal of combat readiness.

The main elements of the training process included planning and executing counterterrorism operations which encompassed cordon and search techniques check points, patrolling and convoy protection. Tactical training such as weapons proficiency, engineering, communication, medical support and logistics also contributed to the overall certification process.

The main and final test was to check the capabilities of 8th IAD Soldiers during parliamentary elections in December. Division staff, under supervision of Multi-National Division Central South Military Transition Teams, had planned and conducted operations to provide the security environment during elections. Staff and Iraqi Soldiers passed this exam successfully.

The ceremony of signing the protocol of certification took place in 8th Iraqi Army headquarters in ad Diwaniyah. Protocol was signed by MNDCS commander Maj. Gen. Piotr Czerwinski and 8th IAD commander Maj. Gen. Othman Ali Ferhood. Iraqi Land Forces commander and Multi-National Security Transition Command - Iraq commander participated in the ceremony.

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