Marines return to Iraq after 3 years
Story and photo by Cpl. Jon C. Guibord
1st Marine Expeditionary Force
CAMP FALLUJAH — The Marine command that spearheaded combat operations in Iraq in 2003 assumed responsibility for training Iraqi Security Forces in western Iraq during a transfer-of-authority ceremony Tuesday.
First Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) took charge of the Al Anbar Province from the North Carolina-based 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).
The ceremony officially relieved the II MEF command of its Multi-National Force - West title and bestowed the California-based I MEF with the new job. Commanded by Maj. Gen. Richard C. Zilmer, I MEF (Forward) MNF-W is composed of active and reserve Marine, Army, and Navy units from throughout the United States.
“I am here to tell you that I MEF is ready to assume our position as part of this great force,” said the Reading, Penn., native and graduate of Kutztown University, Penn.
The Marines spent the past year preparing for its deployment to Iraq by training in the Southern California coastal base Camp Pendleton, Calif., and Marine Combined Air Ground Combat Center in 29 Palms, Calif., in the Mojave Desert.
Zilmer and Sgt. Maj. Thomas H. Howard, I MEF sergeant major, unfurled the unit’s colors carried by an MNF-W color guard, which included an Iraqi Soldier, during the small courtyard ceremony attended by Army Gen. George W. Casey Jr., Multi-National Force - Iraq commanding general, and Army Lt. Gen. Peter W. Chiarelli, Multi-National Corps - Iraq commanding general. The unfurling of I MEF’s colors and battle streamers symbolized the transfer of authority.
During his brief comments, Zilmer noted the accomplishments of II MEF (Forward) and 2nd Marine Division commanding general Maj. Gen. Richard A. Huck and his Marines and Sailors, who are returning to the United States this week.
“It is an honor to follow your lead,” Zilmer said to Huck. “We have watched from afar for the last year...the great work (you and your team) have done. You have written new pages in the history of the 2nd Marine Division.”
During 2005, MNF-W conducted major operations, such as Steel Curtain in November, and provided security during the Iraqi national elections in December 2005.
This is the third time I MEF has deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Throughout the two previous deployments, I MEF was crucial in bringing stabilization to the western province of Al Anbar.
Zilmer emphasized the difference of this year’s mission.
“Our mission here first and foremost is to develop the capabilities of the Iraqi security forces to allow them to win this counter-insurgency in Iraq,” said the Operation Desert Storm veteran.
Zilmer also addressed Iraqi Security Force commanders in the audience.
“I look forward to the great association that we will develop over the next couple months as we collectively work to make our forces much stronger and win this important conflict.”
Iraqi Army 6th Division takes charge in capital
Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq
BAGHDAD — The 3rd Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division assumed battlespace responsibility of an area covering western Baghdad and eastern Abu Ghraib from the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, on March 2.
The 6th Iraqi Army Division commander, Maj. Gen. Mobder, as well as U.S. Army 4th Infantry Division commander, Maj. Gen. James Thurman were among the guests at the transfer ceremony. U.S. Army Col. Jeffrey Snow, 1st Brigade Combat Team commander, made the official hand-over.
“When you bleed, we bleed,” said Snow in his address. “I have never seen as much determination as I have seen in the Muthana Brigade.”
Snow continued to credit the Iraqi Soldiers for building the 3rd Brigade to 1,500 troops in just six months.
“You have changed the character of Baghdad and of Abu Ghraib,” said Snow. “Without your efforts, there would be no security and no future for the Iraqi people.”
Maj. Gen. Mobder told his Soldiers that they must be loyal to Iraq, not to a sect, saying that they have taken an oath to protect Iraq and the Iraqi people. “The terrorists try to poison us. They try to separate the Iraqi people,” he said.
Mobder said that the United States helped rebuild Japan, Germany and Korea after wars and it will do the same in Iraq.
“We are demanding more effort from [the Iraqi Army] and the avoidance of sectarian actions - we are looking to the future. We are grateful to our Coalition partners,” said Mobder.
CLUB GITMO
Well get this it seems that Club Gitmo, the holding camp in Cuba which has been criticized by the leftys everywhere, is not so bad after all--at least, not for some prisoners: (Hat tip to the Powers That Be)
Dick Durbin's Sonnet 18, with apologies to Bill Shakespeare
Shall I compare thee to a summer's gulag?
Thou art more cruel and less temperate:
Rough interrogations, herded by cattle dog,
And summer's leash, we'll remember it:
Sometime too hot the eye of Stalin shines,
And Pol Pot's legacy brightened not dimm'd;
And every Hitler reincarnate forms death lines,
By Bush decree or Halliburton's course untrimm'd;
But thy eternal torture shall not fade
Nor gain legal representation which thou owest;
The light of truth shines on a price to be paid,
For flushing a Quran, down the toilet it goest:
So long as "unnamed sources" for Newsweek can crow,
Will be exposed this, the torturous prison of Gitmo.
http://www.mensnewsdaily.com/blog/powers/2006/03/dick-durbins-conundrum-some-gitmo.html
Over the past few days, Pakistani Bloggers’ Freedom of Speech has been under attack by some, if not all, Internet Service Providers (ISPs) who has chosen to block all blogs hosted on the blogspot.com domain. Political pressure groups have protested to the government to block those web sites displaying the controversial cartoon images of Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) that were hosted on the net. But instead of blocking specific sites, ISPs have simply blacklisted the entire domain, causing thousands of blogs to be inaccessible for viewing or authoring in Pakistan. - link on sidebar, check the site out for more info.
Iraqi Army unit graduates together
MOSUL , Iraq – A graduation ceremony was held for Iraqi Soldiers of the newly formed Headquarters and Support Company, 1st Battalion, 4th Brigade, 2nd Iraqi Army Division at the Al Kindi military compound in Mosul Mar. 5.
Soldiers from the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team's 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment conducted the training, which began Feb. 14.
The company is made up of three specialized platoons. The scout platoon, the medical platoon and the maintenance platoon were individually tasked to complete their specific skills training in order to facilitate the development of the company.
During the graduation ceremony, Gen. Muthafar, the Iraqi brigade commander, Lt. Col. Fidal, the Iraqi battalion commander, and Lt. Col. Charles Webster, the 2-1 IN commander, addressed the Soldiers and congratulated them on a job well done.
Each graduating Soldier received a certificate of training, and one Soldier from each platoon was awarded a gift for outstanding performance. Distinguished honor graduates were also recognized.
The ceremony ended with the Iraqi battalion presenting gifts of appreciation to their platoon trainers and thanking them for their hard work and commitment in assisting with the creation of the new company.
The new company, along with its parent units and the entire Iraqi Army, is continuing the march toward independent operations. Task Force Band of Brothers is partnered with two brigades and 13 battalions that have already reached that milestone, with several other units preparing to join that combat-proven group.
MND-B Soldiers stop terrorists
BAGHDAD , Iraq – Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers killed two terrorists during combat operations at approximately 8:52 p.m. Mar. 5 southeast of Baghdad .
After observing two terrorists fire a mortar at MND – B Soldiers, elements of the 1st Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, engaged and killed the terrorists.
The area where the terrorists originated their attack on MND – B Soldiers has also been the origin of attack for six 82mm mortar attacks on the Salman Pak region over the last seven days.
This incident is under investigation.
Iraqi police forces welcome new members to team
FOB KALSU, Iraq — The Iraqi police force continues to grow in strength as 167 recruits graduated from the Najaf Police Academy March 4 and joined their brothers in arms.
Abd Razak Shaed, the IP general inspector, along with Lt. Col. Michael Hilliard, commander, 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, attended the event.
“Today marks another step in the journey towards a safer, independent Iraq , and the graduates of the Iraqi Police Academy are leading the way,” said Hilliard. “This graduation is another demonstration of the abilities of the new Iraqi government, which continues to make landmark strides on a regular basis.”
After the ceremony, Hilliard met with Assad Sultan Al-taee, Najaf governor. The two leaders discussed a variety of issues, including the continuous support from Coalition Forces on the security of Najaf and its people.
Both leaders also agreed that a new IP academy, designed specifically to train and equip the new government's security forces, is essential. Some potential IPs travel to Jordan to receive their training. Keeping the trainees in Iraq will provide better quality IPs, said Al-taee.
“You have made a choice to protect the good people of Najaf – and for that, your country is proud,” Hilliard told the graduates. “Iraqi citizens should know that their continued support of the local and national government is critical to maintaining this type of progress.”
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