News From Iraq

Big news update here as the news site has been undergoing a refit and so I have several days good news - none of which will ever be reported on El Beeb. Oh and check this out... http://www.zipperfish.net/free/yaafm12.php/

Now this has got to be the best ever coverage of the Mohammed (praise be his name & all that jazz) cartoons. Pop'd to the pub for a quick beer before starting work at noon today only to see Sky news banging on about the muslim protest rally in London. Least it was Sky, had it been El Beeb fawning over the poor oppressed muslims feelings(shame those muslim protesters never worried that much about our feelings after the London bombings on 7/7) I most likely would have insisted the barman change channels.

Coalition Forces uncover plan to attack Albu-Nimr Tribe

BAGHDAD , Iraq – Coalition Forces discovered an al Qaeda plan to attack and kill members of the Albu-Nimr Tribe. During an operation in a rural area approximately 30 miles northeast of Ramadi Feb. 11, a document was discovered that identified plans to attack and kill Al-Nimr tribal members.

The plan revealed rocket attacks and assassinations against the tribe of Albu-Nimr in Hit.

A second document outlined details of how al Qaeda degraded and destroyed phone switches in Haditha, Al-Baghdadi, and Hit and took phone cards away from people so they could not call out.

Al Qaeda threatened to follow-up with further action if the switches are fixed.

Coalition Forces turned both documents over to the Iraqi Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Interior.

Currahee Armor sponsors ‘free wheelchair’ mission

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Life in a war-torn country can be hard. The life of a disabled child living in a war-torn country is even harder. Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers made life a little easier Feb. 8 for a young Iraqi girl who suffers from cerebral palsy when they delivered a free wheelchair in Baladiat, Iraq.

Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, serving with the 4th BCT, 101st Airborne Div., surprised the young girl when they assembled and delivered the wheelchair.

The wheelchair was provided by the Free Wheelchair Mission, an Orange County, California-based non-profit organization committed to providing the transforming gift of mobility to the physically disabled poor in developing countries. The Iraqi and Kuwaiti governments waived import fees for all of the wheelchairs sent by the mission.

1st Lt. Joshua Lein, Pfc. Clay Hughes, Pfc. Robert Gonzales and Pfc. Erik Meyers helped put together five wheelchairs and delivered one to the young girl.

“It was an awesome experience,” said Meyers, a field artillery forward observer working with the Civil Affairs section. “We spent several hours of our free time putting the chairs together.

“Some of the Iraqi translators helped put together more chairs for distribution to other needy children and adults.”

The Soldiers also gave the girl and her family a humanitarian bag and toys.

“The family expressed gratitude for the new wheelchair and said they look forward to seeing more of Troop B in the future,” said Meyers.

Civil Engineers make Baghdad a better place to live

BAGHDAD , Iraq – Responsible for the rebuilding of Baghdad 's essential services, such as the restoration and improvement of electricity, water, sewer and transportation systems, the members of the 4th Brigade Combat Team Infrastructure Coordination Element have their work cut out for them.

A daunting task that requires support from the Iraqi government, several U.S. governmental agencies, and non-governmental organizations, reconstruction efforts are one of the many missions facing the 4th BCT, 4th Infantry Division.

“We bridge the gap by developing relationships, not only with the Iraqis, to gain their priorities – that is really where we are trying to focus – but also with the (Iraqi) state department (ministers) that are currently standing up,” said Maj. Ray Proske, executive officer, 4th Special Troops Battalion, 4th BCT,

The coordination cell works with local leaders within the communities and neighborhoods to identify and service their particular needs – working to coordinate the repair of Iraqi essential services within the brigade's prescribed area of operations.

“Each of the different areas has its unique challenges,” Proske said. “One thing to keep in mind: most of the infrastructure in this country was built more than 20 years ago and has been very poorly maintained – and especially since 1990.”

The problem is also complicated by numerous unauthorized taps on the city's water and electrical systems, further draining an already depleted infrastructure, said Proske.

This will only be resolved once the city begins to regulate the services it provides to the people living in Baghdad , he added.

The biggest task before the four-man team, which is responsible for overseeing special reconstruction projects in central and south Baghdad, is working with the local Iraqi governance to ensure that the planning, upkeep and improvement of city systems happens as efficiently as possible.

The engineers are trying to overcome this challenge by hiring local Iraqi engineers to maintain and supervise the many ongoing projects and to assist in quality assurance, thus ensuring the contractors are providing an adequate product, said Proske.

“Though we have a small staff, the local Iraqi engineers are absolutely vital to operations for the ICE,” he said.

Currently, the program has one local consultant engineer, an Iraqi man named Thamer, who wears many hats.

Thamer, a 46-year old electrical engineer, is responsible for identifying all the scopes of work within the communities and coordinating the execution of each project through the different government agencies.

“After that, we bid for those projects. We call contractors, and we give them those bids to submit it at those prices,” Thamer said. “We analyze the price and compare it with the quantity to see if it is reasonable or not.”

Thamer, who earned his masters degree in engineering from the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom, also manages several Iraqi site engineers, who supervise the local contractors to ensure the quality of work, and that the projects are completed in a timely manner.

After the project is finished, the ICE also maintains contacts with the two district advisory councils within the brigade's battle space and the Iraqi government to ensure that the completed work meets the Iraqi people's needs.

“Our goal is to give a very good project to serve the people,” Thamer said. “We are in constant contact with the departments and the employees with the district council in order to coordinate with the contractors.”

Capt. Robert Graetz, sewers project manager, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th STB, said he hopes that the projects being completed now will eventually lay the groundwork for larger construction projects that will increase the capabilities of the current systems.

As the civil engineers work to improve living conditions for the communities, they are also working to help the Iraqi people become self-sufficient.

“A good solution is, instead of throwing a lot of money into project after project, invest funding into the city government to prop up their operating budget so that they can do it themselves,” said Graetz, a native of Union Grove. Wis.

A West Point graduate with a masters degree from the University of Missouri – Rolla, Graetz said that one way the U.S. Army is accomplishing this goal is by providing equipment, training and technical expertise to the maintenance departments and the local communities within the districts.

Most of the projects beginning during 4th BCT's deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom will take a while to complete, said Graetz. In fact, many of the end effects of the projects will not be seen until after 4th BCT has completed its mission and redeployed.

Despite this fact, “generally, making Baghdad a better place to live,” will remain the ICE Cell's primary mission and full-time job, said Graetz.

Iraqi Army, U.S. Special Forces detain 102, discover weapons during raid

BALAD, Iraq – The 2nd Battalion 2nd Brigade 5th Iraqi Army Division, advised by U.S. Army Special Forces Soldiers, conducted assaults on two targets Feb. 12 in Diyala Province, detaining 102 persons of interest, killing two insurgents and discovering a large weapons cache.

The assaults were combined cordon and search missions designed to capture key insurgents and to disrupt multiple insurgent cell operations – especially improvised explosive device production.

The target locations were chosen because intelligence indicated specific locations of individuals wanted for planning and facilitating insurgent activities.

During the raid on the first target, an Iraqi Army assault team encountered four armed insurgents when the team began searching a house. Under heavy fire, the assault team exchanged small arms fire with the insurgents but was forced to withdraw outside of the house for cover.

But one of the team’s sergeants stayed in the house and in the fight, killing one and wounding two of the insurgents before falling back to regroup with his team and assault the house again. Those three insurgents were taken into custody and the two wounded received immediate medical treatment. One wounded insurgent later died while en route to receive additional medical care.

Of the 102 persons detained after the raids on both target areas, 25 were on Iraqi security forces’ “most wanted” lists.

A weapons cache discovered on the first objective contained one Katusa rocket, two 155 mm artillery rounds, two 120 mm mortar rounds, three 60 mm mortar rounds, three rocket-propelled grenades, an RPG launcher, three AK-47 assault rifles, and a collection of IED-making materials including electrical wire and fuses.

One Iraqi Army Soldier was slightly wounded by enemy small arms fire during the operation. He was treated on the scene by Iraqi and U.S. medical personnel.

Iraqi commanders stated that the combined operation was a success, and is a mark of the effectiveness of Iraqi Army forces. They are looking forward to conducting additional missions in the future to deny insurgent groups safe havens in Diyala Province, which insurgents use to regroup, rearm and refit.

Additionally, leaders from the Iraqi battalion used the operation to assess the capabilities of the 2/2/5 in order to make needs-based assessments on future training opportunities.

Special Operations Forces from the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force – Arabian Peninsula are involved throughout Iraq in training and advising Iraqi security forces, including army and police units.

Iraqi Army unit conducts first battalion-sized mission, nets 4 suspected insurgents

BALAD, Iraq – The Iraqi Army’s 1/4/1 Battalion conducted its first full battalion-sized operation Feb. 11 west of Baghdad, netting four suspected insurgents.

The operation, advised by U.S. Special Operations Forces, was a cordon and search mission designed to track insurgents and sweep for weapons caches.

The mission was deemed a success by both the Iraqi battalion’s leaders and the U.S. SOF advisors because of the large scope of the task and the successful apprehension of the four persons of interest.

None of the combined force was killed or injured during the operation.

SOF elements from the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force – Arabian Peninsula here are involved throughout Iraq in training and advising the Iraqi Special Operations Forces Brigade, as well as other Iraqi Security Forces, including army and police units.

Coalition Forces conduct air strike to thwart terrorists

BAGHDAD – In a joint effort, Coalition Forces conducted a precision air strike, using four U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles, against a known terrorist facility at approximately 4:30 p.m. Feb. 15 in southern Baghdad.

Terrorists were using a former Iraqi regime munitions storage bunker, located in a large, uninhabited weapons-storage complex in the Babil province, to acquire and transport bomb-making munitions to be used in attacks against the Iraqi people and Coalition Forces.

Coalition Forces participating in the mission took all available precautions to ensure no civilians were present during the strike. The aircraft conducted a clearing pass while Multi-National Division – Baghdad helicopters scanned for any civilians in the area in a deliberate effort to ensure no collateral damage.

The sorties made multiple passes to ensure the complete and methodical destruction of the bunker.

U.S. Soldiers detain terrorist

TIKRIT, Iraq – Soldiers from 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, captured a man after watching him emplace an improvised explosive device Feb. 14.

The Soldiers saw the man crouching over an existing IED crater. When he noticed the Soldiers, he fled the scene. As the terrorist began to flee, troops opened fire on him and began to pursue the man.

The newly-placed IED detonated, but was far enough away that it had no effect, allowing the Soldiers to continue their pursuit.

The Soldiers searched an area where the man fled but were unable to find him. The battalion headquarters contacted the joint coordination center and learned a man walked into a local hospital with a gun-shot wound.

Troops went to the hospital to question the man and conducted an explosive residue test on him. After a positive residue test, the man received treatment for his injuries and was detained for further questioning.

MND-B Soldiers kill four terrorists, detain four, find anti-aircraft weapon

BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers killed four terrorists and detained four in a series of actions in the past 24 hours. Coalition Forces also found an anti-aircraft gun in an empty house south of Baghdad Feb. 14.

Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, received small arms fire from anti-Iraqi forces south of Baghdad at approximately 3:30 a.m. Feb. 15. A firefight ensued and one AIF terrorist was killed. Two other suspected terrorists were detained. The patrol confiscated two AK-47s.

In a separate incident, a patrol from 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2BCT, 101st Abn. Div., received small arms fire from the Yusafiyah power plant south of Baghdad Feb. 14 at approximately 11:10 p.m. As Soldiers waited for permission to enter the power plant, a van approached and opened fire on the patrol. In the ensuing gun battle two terrorists were killed.

In a third incident, Soldiers from 1st Bn., 22nd Inf. Rgmnt., 2nd BCT., 101st Abn. Div., observed two suspected terrorists low crawling toward a broken down vehicle south of Baghdad Feb. 14 at 9:45 p.m. The Soldiers began moving toward the two individuals when they spotted at least one terrorist with a weapon. The two terrorists attempted to flee and a firefight ensued, resulting in one terrorist being killed and the other wounded and detained. The wounded terrorist was medically evacuated to a local hospital where he later died of his wounds.

In a fourth incident, west of Baghdad, a patrol from 2nd Bn., 22nd Inf. Rgmnt., 1st BCT., 10th Mountain Division was struck by a roadside bomb. There were no reports of damage or casualties. During the search for the improvised explosive device triggerman, the MND-B Soldiers arrested one suspected terrorist. The patrol confiscated one AK-47, three cell phones, a cell phone initiator device and detonation cord.

Finally, MND-B Soldiers from 1-502 Inf. Rgmt., 2BCT, 101st Abn. Div., reported finding a DSU-14 anti-aircraft gun and a rocket propelled grenade in an empty house south of Baghdad Feb. 14 at 11:00 a.m. The weapon was found in good condition along with 196 rounds of ammunition.

Civil Affairs keeps the water flowing

DOHUK PROVINCE, Iraq – The 422nd Civil Affairs Battalion and the residents of Nerimerki and Tilisquif, villages in the northern Iraqi province of Dohuk, celebrated the completion of three water projects.

With help from Ziyad Abdullah, head of the Department of Water in the Dohuk Province, the 422nd was able to identify the needs of these villages.

In Nerimerki, villagers braved cold weather and strong winds to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“They are very, very happy because for the first time in their lives they can get running water near their houses,” said Shaka Thada, leader of the local non-governmental organization responsible for providing construction of the project.

Before completion of the project, villagers manually transported their water from about three kilometers away using donkeys. Now, an electric generator pump pulls local river water through a filtration system, into a galvanized steel holding tank in the center of the village.

In Tilisquif, about 75 people came out for their ribbon-cutting ceremony despite the rain and cold. Mayor Basim Yjago and Maj. Calvin Robinson, commander, Company B, 422nd CA Bn., delivered speeches.

“We take great pleasure in providing this water source for you,” said Robinson. “This is another step for you to rebuild your country. My team is proud and appreciative to be a part of this ceremony.”

Continuing the mission of assisting the people of northern Iraq, the 422nd stopped in the village of Behere, north of Tilisquif, where construction of a retention wall to trap run-off water from rain and snow was completed.

“The whole village will benefit,” stated Abdullah. “There’s been a drought for the past couple of years, so it’s good that we will have a steady supply of water. This water is good not just for farming, but also for tourism and recreation. We appreciate the help from civil affairs.”

The Soldiers of the 422nd have been working with local leaders and the

Department of Water to determine the needs of each community. After making the determination, the U.S. Army draws up a scope of work, puts the project up for a bid and then provides the funds to a local contractor to build the project.

As townspeople, Civil Affairs Soldiers and elected officials continue to work together Iraqi communities can enjoy a better lifestyle.

Iraqi Police and MND-B Soldiers detain 8 terrorists, destroy 2 caches

BAGHDAD , Iraq – Iraq 's National Police and Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers detained eight suspected terrorists Feb. 13 and destroyed two weapons caches.

National Police from 2nd Battalion, 4th Commandos, reported a drive-by shooting on their headquarters in Baghdad by anti-Iraqi forces at approximately 2 a.m. Feb. 13. The Iraqi commandos fired back at the terrorists disabling their vehicle. One terrorist was wounded and detained as the terrorists ran from their vehicle.

The terrorists' vehicle contained one rocket-propelled grenade launcher, four RPG rounds, three AK-47s, seven AK-47 magazines, one PKC machine gun with approximately 300 rounds of ammunition, four hand grenades and explosive materiel.

The 2-4 Commandos evacuated the wounded terrorist to a local hospital. There were no reported 2-4 Commando injuries.

At 3:45 p.m. Feb. 12, Soldiers from 1st Squadron, 75th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, reported two suspected terrorists hiding in a canal watching over a roadside bomb south of Baghdad . Both suspects were detained.

Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment were patrolling south of Baghdad when their vehicles were struck by a roadside bomb at approximately 8:45 p.m. Feb. 12. The unit identified three suspected terrorists fleeing the scene. The MND-B Soldiers caught and detained the three individuals. There was no damage to Coalition Force equipment or personnel.

Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 67th Armor, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, discovered a large weapons cache in the Babil province at approximately 2 a.m. Feb.13. The cache consisted of 502 82 mm mortar rounds, 92 120 mm mortar rounds, 26 cases of .50 caliber ammunition and two cases of 58 mm anti-aircraft rounds.

Earlier, another patrol from 1-67 AR, found two weapons caches in the Babil province around 5:45 p.m. Feb. 12. The two caches contained 15 155 mm artillery rounds, 15 60 mm mortar rounds, one 57 mm round, one 81 mm round and two seven-foot bombs of an unknown type.

The weapons caches were destroyed by Coalition Force explosive ordnance disposal units.

Iraqi and Coalition units conduct raids near Muqdadiyah

TIKRIT, Iraq – Iraqi Soldiers, supported by Task Force Band of Brothers units, conducted multiple raids in the villages of Khalaniya and Hembis, near the city of Muqdadiyah in Diyala Province Feb. 12.

Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division successfully searched the villages, detaining 16 suspects and uncovering a cache of automatic weapons, IED-making materials, a rocket, and several mortar and artillery shells.

Units from the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division and the 101st Airborne Division's 101st Combat Aviation Brigade provided security outside of the villages.

A brief firefight resulted in two suspected terrorists being killed and one Iraqi Soldier sustaining minor wounds.

The successful mission to disrupt anti-Iraqi forces in the area is the latest in a string of Iraqi-led missions in the northern region of the country.

Civil Affairs Team secures micro loan for local nationals

BAGHDAD – Over the past four months, the Soldiers of Company D, 490th Civil Affairs Team engaged more than 20 key Iraqi leaders in an effort to promote economic and social growth within their area of operations.

One of the ways the CAT promotes economic growth is through a process of micro loans.

During its tenure with 1st Squadron, 75th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, the team coordinated new projected development with local officials and businessmen for a United States Agency for International Development program, which will build the first micro-loan center to serve the greater Iraqi community.

Micro loans are similar to other loans in the United States with one exception: micro loans focus on developing countries. An average micro loan consists of a small loan of less than $500 invested toward a necessity that would enrich the family in receipt.

The theory is the profits of the investment will pay off the loan and a subsequent loan will be drawn. The cycle will then continue as a family grows more financially stable to work its way out of poverty. The loans granted at micro-loan centers are usually focused towards agricultural initiatives in order to target grass-roots development.

Davis said he attended several micro-finance seminars in Amman, Jordan. The result of those meetings secured more than $250,000 to build the micro-loan center and, if milestones are met, there is a possibility to secure more than $1 million.

“Much of the success we have enjoyed in our (area of operation) can be directly attributed to the great effort on the part of the Capt. Davis and Sgt. 1st Class Pope’s Civil Affairs Team,” said Lt. Col. Lee Walters, commander, 1-75 Cav., at a recent farewell dinner for the team. “Their professionalism, determination and genuine care for the mission and Iraqi people have paid great dividends toward the growth of this region.”

The team’s interaction with the leaders helped foster a climate of working relationships between the local citizens and 1st Sqdn., 75th Cav., said Capt. Jeff Davis, who serves as the team leader for the four-Soldier team. His team is responsible for the coordination of Consequent Management Support Packages, which contain supplies directed to assist local citizens and businesses.

The Team has moved on to work with the Soldiers of 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd BCT, 101st Div. to help in its efforts to further foster economic and social growth in its area of operations.

Iraqi Army leads operation in Subiyhat

CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq –Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 4th Brigade, 1st Iraqi Army Division spearheaded their second independent operation Feb. 11.

Iraqi soldiers led a security presence and sweeping operation Feb. 12 in the village of Subiyhat to clear the area of insurgents and interact with the populace.

Subiyhat is a small village located in rural, eastern Al Anbar Province, home to more than 2,000 citizens in the vicinity of Fallujah.

Operation Tawakalna Ala Allah, (Trust in God) was the unit’s second battalion-sized operation in the Al Anbar Province planned and conducted by the 1st Battalion, 4th Brigade leadership.

Marines from 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team - 8 assisted in the operation by providing security on the outer perimeter.

The operation resulted in the detention of four suspected insurgents and enhanced relations between the citizens of Subiyhat and the Iraqi Army.

“I want the people in this area to understand that we are here for their protection and we are here to stay,” said Col. Najim Abdullah Menahi Salmon, commanding officer, 1st Battalion, 4th Brigade. “I am very proud of the way my soldiers operated today…our mission was a success.”

The operation involved three Iraqi army companies from the 1st Battalion, 4th Brigade which patrolled the village. Two additional Marine companies from 1st Battalion manned the outer security cordon.

The primary goals for the Iraqi soldiers were to meet with locals and search for illegal weapons. They also distributed leaflets with the battalion’s tips line phone number so residents can report insurgent activity.

In addition, the soldiers passed out several dozen Iraqi national flags while interacting with the villagers.

“The national flags are popular because it gives the people pride to receive the Iraqi flag from the soldiers of the Iraqi army,” Najim said. “I plan to build on our success today and increase these types of operations in the future.”

The Marine commander supporting the operation also considered the day’s efforts a success.

“My number one priority during this deployment is to facilitate the development of the Iraqi army capabilities,” said Lt. Col. David J. Furness, commanding officer, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment. “The more [the Iraqi Army] operates, the more confident they become in their abilities, and the more eager they become to assume responsibility for security.”

Iraq’s 1st Battalion, 4th Brigade assumed their current battle space from the U.S Marine’s 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment Feb. 1.

This operation was the next step in the progression of this unit gaining complete operational independence in this area of operations, Furness said.
The 1st Battalion, 4th Brigade, 1st Iraqi Army Division is partnered with Regimental Combat Team 8, under the II Marine Expeditionary Force (Fwd) in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Iraqi man helps 3-16 FA Soldiers locate weapons cache

BAGHDAD – With the help of a local national’s tip, MND-B Soldiers located an ammunition cache Feb. 9 north of An Najaf in the An Najaf Province.

While conducting a combat patrol, elements of the 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division were stopped by a man holding a sign that read “Stop” in English and had a likeness of a bomb drawn on the sign.

The man directed the patrol to the cache, which was wrapped in plastic and buried in a field near a house.

The cache consisted of 71 100mm HE rounds, four weapons, eight 122mm rounds and five 115mm HEAT rounds.

“Cooperation like this is what will help the Iraqis defeat the insurgency,” said Capt. Pablo Diaz, commander, Battery B, 3-16 FA.

An Explosive Ordnance Disposal team was dispatched to the site of the cache and cleared the cache.

This incident is under investigation.

Multi-National Division Central South provides humanitarian assistance

MULAY AL MOSKAUL, Iraq – Multi-National Division - Central South Soldiers provided humanitarian assistance to 100 flood victims in Mulay al Moskaul Feb. 8.

Due to heavy flooding in the Tigris River basin, Mulay al Moskaul village had been isolated for five days.

Two MND-CS helicopters were used to assist Iraqis in three different settlements in the area.

Humanitarian aid consisted of potable water, food, shoes, clothes, mattresses, hygienic items and toys.

The goodwill gesture resulted in the delivery of more than 1300 kilograms of much-needed items.

The deputy governor of al Kut Province expressed his sincere gratitude to MND-CS troops for their fast, professional and effective help during a natural disaster.

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