Iraqi living conditions improve
BAGHDAD, Iraq (June 29, 2006) – As security operations continue to thwart anti-Iraqi forces throughout the country, the completion of many community projects is helping improve quality of life for Iraqi citizens. In Husseiniya, Iraq, city officials and fire fighters recently hosted a ceremony marking the opening of a new $1.1 million, three-story fire station that will benefit the city’s 450,000 residents.
The 925-square meter concrete structure features five bays; three for ladder trucks and two for sport utility vehicles. It also includes a dormitory area for 25 fire fighters; a dining room for 30; a commercial-grade kitchenette equipped to feed 40 people; a training room for 20; locker room; a control room; and a chief’s office.
The citizens of Judayda in western Nineveh are also enjoying better quality of life with the completion of a newly renovated well June 24.
With the intense summer heat and many nonfunctional wells in Judayda, Soldiers from Civil Affairs Team A, Company B, 403rd Civil Affairs Battalion made this a priority project.
The well, which services 2,000 people, was improved by providing a new storage tank, water pump, and power generation equipment. The renovation also provided 30 jobs to the local citizens.
In another effort, a road project developed by Company B, 4th Battalion 11th Field Artillery and leaders from the villages of Mahmoodia and Karach broke ground June 25.
The Mahmoodia Road Project is a 30-day task to improve the road between the city of Karach and the village of Mahmoodia by re-leveling the road, laying new gravel as a base, and paving the road with fresh asphalt.
By working with the Mayor of Karach and Sheik Sammie of Mahmoodia village, the project has been developed through joint cooperation between Coalition forces and both Kurdish and Arabic local leaders throughout all phases of the project.
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Government of Iraq, MNF-I release 450 detainees
BAGHDAD, Iraq – In the spirit of unity and reconciliation, the Government of Iraq and Multi-National Force - Iraq in a joint initiative released approximately 450 security detainees June 27 from Coalition-run Theater Internment Facilities.
Mr. Muwafaq Al-Rubai, National Security Advisor, addressed the security detainees at Abu Ghraib Theater Internment Facility and asked them to return to their jobs and share in the wealth of their country.
He said Prime Minister al-Maliki has declared a reconciliation program for all those who are not tied to terrorism and that there is no room for terrorists in Iraq.
This release is part of a plan to release 2,500 security detainees in the month of June, and will be accomplished through a series of 200 – 500 person releases throughout the month.
The Iraqi government has approved the release of those not guilty of serious, violent crimes such as bombing, torture, kidnapping and murder. The detainees must renounce violence and pledge to be good citizens of Iraq.
The decision to release is an acknowledgment by the Government of Iraq and MNF-I of the importance of progress toward democratic governance and the rule of law in a new Iraq.
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Coalition forces detain AIF terrorist
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces detained one al-Qaida in Iraq terrorist during a raid in the vicinity of Baqouba June 28.
The al-Qaida terrorist initially targeted had been linked to previous terrorist activities and had ties to senior al-Qaida leaders throughout this region. The ground troops secured his house and detained him without incident.
The force also secured multiple small arms weapons, hidden ammunition, and $4,000 in sequentially numbered U.S. $100 bills at the initial target location.
While securing the initial target, Coalition forces noticed an individual acting suspiciously at a near-by house. They assessed him as an imminent threat, engaged and killed him. He was later determined to be a non-combatant.
Multiple women and children were present at the raid sites. None were harmed and all were returned to their homes once the troops ensured the area was secure.
Coalition forces take every precaution to mitigate risks to civilians while in pursuit of terrorists, and deeply regret any injury or death to non-combatants.
Marine risks life, saves another
Story by Sgt. Roe F. Seigle -Regimental Combat Team 7
HADITHA, Iraq — Marines here say a lieutenant who was leading Marines and Iraqi soldiers through the volatile streets of Haditha, Iraq, June 14, showed uncommon valor when he ran into a barrage of enemy gunfire to pull a wounded Marine to safety.
1st Lt. Rick Posselt, a 25-year-old from Crystal River, Fla., said he is not the Marine who deserves the recognition.
Cpl. Michael Estrella, who was killed by sniper fire during that same patrol, is the real hero and deserves the recognition, said Posselt.
The mission Posselt, a platoon commander assigned to the Hawaii-based Company I, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, led the Marines and their Iraqi army counterparts on that day was like any other – a patrol through the winding streets of Haditha. On this particular patrol they were searching for a suspected insurgent.
Haditha is a city of 30,000 nestled along the Euphrates River northwest of Baghdad in Iraq’s Al Anbar province.
When Posselt came to an intersection in a marketplace, the Marines began receiving gunfire and saw Estrella, 20, fall to the ground.
Shortly after the initial “cracks” of enemy gunfire pelted the ground below and spit up shards of concrete around him, Posselt said his platoon was shot at from another direction.
Posselt’s first instinct was to get Estrella to safety – and he did so risking his own life in the process.
As the enemy gunfire continued, Posselt ran to the wounded Estrella and pulled him about 15 feet to safety, further exposing himself to more gunfire.
“I just did what my instinct told me to do,” said Posselt. “I was just trying to take care of my Marines.”
Looking back, Posselt feels any other Marine in his position would have done the same thing that day.
“I just happened to be the Marine closest to Estrella when he fell,” said Posselt. “I had to get him off that street and that was really the only thought going through my mind.”
With Estrella out of harm’s way, several Iraqi soldiers returned well aimed and disciplined fire to the enemy’s position, without injuring any civilians on the street that day.
Still, Posselt does not believe he is worthy of recognition, but Capt. Andy Lynch, 31, Company I commander, says Posselt will be recognized for his brave actions on the battlefield that day.
Sgt. Jason Sakowski, 26, said he also believes Posselt is worthy of recognition.
Sakowski, one of Posselt’s squad leaders, was present during the firefight and called in reinforcements and a medical evacuation while returning and directing fire at the enemy combatants. The enemy combatants then fled the area.
“He (Posselt) put his life on the line without even thinking about it,” said Sakowski, a 26-year-old native of Wilkesboro, N.C. “This is my third combat deployment, but it is the first time I have seen bravery to that degree.”
“Muhammad,” a soldier assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 7th Iraqi Army Division, was also present during the firefight and was one of the Iraqi soldiers who returned fire to the enemy combatants. He agrees with Sakowski, Posselt’s actions were commendable.
“He (Posselt) showed uncommon courage that day,” said Muhammad. “He set an example for other soldiers to follow. I think he is a hero.”
Posselt gives more credit to Sakowski for his role in the firefight than he gives himself for risking his life to pull Estrella to safety.
“Sakowski accomplished many things at once in the middle of the firefight,” said Posselt.
Sakowski called for a medical evacuation, directed fire and called in the reinforcements that arrived within a minute of being called out, said Posselt.
“Sakowski made some very important decisions under fire,” said Posselt. “He stayed calm and remembered his training in the heat of a battle.”
Posselt said although the Marines are mourning the loss of their friend and fellow warrior, Estrella, they are still focused on training the Iraqi Army to eventually provide security in this region along the Euphrates River on their own, allowing U.S. forces to eventually leave for good.
“I want to bring the rest of the Marines home safely, first and foremost,” said Posselt, right after a memorial service was held for Estrella at the Marines’ fortified base here. “But we also have to help get a government established so we do not have to come back here 10 years down the road with the same situation we had in 2003. We owe it to Estrella to accomplish the mission he came here to complete.”
Bombers Caught.
In a news conference currently being broadcast on TV, Iraq's national security advisor Muwaffak al-Rubaie says Iraqi security forces arrested Abu Qudama al-Tunisi in a raid in the suburb of al-Dhuloiya north of Baghdad. 15 other foreign terrorists were killed in the raid according to al-Rubaie.
The terrorist of Tunisian origin confessed that he was responsible for the attack that destroyed the Askari Shrine in Samarra back in February 22 of this year. Muwaffak al-Rubaie said the security forces are still searching for Haitham al-Badri who is believed to be the field commander under whom Abu Qudama was operating.
Al-Rubaie described Al-Badri is a terrorist with connections to elements in the past regime who later became one of the leaders of Ansar al-Sunna and later al-Qaeda organization in Iraq.
Al-Rubaie adds that this terror cell was responsible for the assassination of the late al-Arabiya reporter Atwar Bahjat.
Al-Rubaie described ho the bombing was organized and says details were taken from the confessions of the captured Abu Qudama:
