Good News From Iraq

3rd Bn., 67th AR captures kidnappers
4th BCT PAO, 101st Abn. Div.
BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers from Company C, 3rd Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, detained four kidnappers in New Baghdad July 31.

While on a patrol, Soldiers from 2nd Platoon, Co. C heard several gunshots, which led them to a vehicle with five people inside.

“The person who was being kidnapped had taken away one of the kidnappers’ gun and fired several shots to get our attention,” said 1st Lt. Matthew Guevara, platoon leader for 2nd platoon.

Soldiers found four people trying to kidnap an Iraqi man.

The suspects were detained and transported to a detainee facility for more questioning. The victim was brought in for questioning and later released. The suspects admitted to conducting kidnappings for money and said they were not Iraqi Police.

The kidnappers are being detained for further questioning.

MND-B Soldiers kill terrorist digging IED position
Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO
BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers engaged and killed a terrorist suspected of implanting an improvised-explosive device on the side of a road north of Baghdad Tuesday night.

Soldiers from Company A, 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, spotted the suspect digging a hole after curfew on the side of a road where IEDs are frequently placed.

Upon identifying the Soldiers, the man fled into a nearby tree line, and the Soldiers decided to wait for the man to return.

When the Soldiers noticed the man return to the road to continue digging, the suspect again saw the convoy and attempted to flee but was immediately engaged by the Soldiers.

IA Soldiers find munitions, detain terrorist
Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO
BAGHDAD – Iraqi Army soldiers found a bag of munitions while conducting a patrol in west Baghdad early Thursday morning.

Soldiers of 2nd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, found the bag containing five 82mm mortar rounds. The munitions were turned into an Explosive Ordnance Disposal team to be destroyed.

In a separate incident IA soldiers arrested four terrorists involved in a drive by shooting at approximately 4 a.m. Thursday in northeast Baghdad.

The terrorists were arrested after exchanging small-arms fire with an Iraqi civilian in his home. One terrorist was seriously wounded.

IA, MND-B Soldiers detain 3 suspected terrorists
Maj. David Olson
1st BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.

CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Elements of 2nd Tank Brigade, 9th Iraqi Army Division , conducted a combined cordon and search mission with Soldiers of Troop A, 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, of four houses north of Baghdad at approximately 4:30 a.m. Wednesday resulting in the detention of one suspected terrorist.

Meanwhile, a patrol from Company B, 1st Battalion, 22nd Inf. Regt., 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div., conducted a cordon and search mission northwest of Baghdad at approximately 4 a.m. Wednesday resulting in the detention of two suspected terrorists.

The Iraqi army and Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers, continue to conduct offensive operations to provide a safe and secure environment for all Iraqi citizens.

IRAQ TRAINS ON THE MOVE
BAGHDAD — Karem recalled using Iraqi trains when he was a youngster.

Back then, the Baghdad Central Train Station was notorious for nonfunctioning restrooms and the foul odor of sewerage emanating from the basement. “But the trains themselves were always clean, comfortable and a great bargain,” the 33-year-old deputy resident engineer said.

Now Karem is overseeing a project that will not only re-introduce train travel to Baghdad, but will make the train station far better than he remembered as a child.

“Of the 19 projects I oversee, this is my favorite. I see the huge potential here,” he said. “Baghdad Central Train Station has the potential to generate many jobs – not only jobs directly connected with railroad operations, but also … taxi and bus drivers who would pick up passengers using the train station.”

In addition, more passengers coming through the train stations could generate more jobs at nearby hotels, shops and businesses, he said.

The $5.9 million project includes an all-new power plant and air conditioning system. “We have replaced all the electrical, water, and sewer lines. The roof and the plaster walls were replaced and the restaurant was rehabilitated,” Karem said.

The windows were replaced, all of the clocks were replaced and connected to one central system, and the broken mosaic floor tiles were replaced.

A new entrance was constructed. Two new seven-passenger elevators, new bathrooms and a hotel with 13 rooms were added along with a new fire alarm and sprinkler system. The train station was originally built by the British in 1954 and was considered the “Jewel of Baghdad” for travelers of the day. It offered telegraph services, a bank, a post office, shopping areas, a saloon and restaurant, and even had an office with printing presses which are still printing the train tickets.

This 1914 engine, capable of traveling 25 miles per hour, is the oldest Iraqi railway steam locomotive. It was retired in 1951 and is on display at the Baghdad Central Station.

“The overall structure was in great shape and we tried not to alter its historical look, despite the many improvements. If something needed to be added, we tried to match the same architectural style,” Karem said.

The project is nearing completion and Karem says a proposed $8 million maintenance facility for the locomotives and freight/passenger cars is now being considered.

“(The railroad is) the gateway to the world,” Karem said. “It’s a symbol of our freedom.”

Major Robert Nash, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officer who worked with Karem on the project, said he’s proud of Karem and the other 35 Iraqis who work on the station.

“Karem came here as a quality assurance representative, was promoted to project engineer, and is now one of our two Iraqi resident engineers,” he said.

“We worked together and helped put a plan in motion to increase the potential of what the Baghdad Central Train Station can become. It was just one of Sadaam’s toys and sat in a state of disrepair for decades.”

Although the number of trains being operated is limited, Nash is confident will regain the prominence it once had.

He looks forward to the day when he can fly into Baghdad International Airport, take a cab to the train station, and travel to any point in Iraq safely, securely and comfortably.

“Our Iraqi engineers are … building relationships that will last long after the last American has departed.”

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