Good News From Iraq

Marine-sponsored Iraqi Police Recruiting Drive Nets 176

FALLUJAH, Iraq – In the opening couplet of his classic poem, “Gunga Din,” Rudyard Kipling singles out those blessed with the luxury of commentating on war while enjoying the comforts of security and quips, “You may talk o’ gin an’ beer / When you’re quartered safe out ‘ere.”

This weekend 176 Iraqis from the greater Fallujah area opted to forgo a life sheltered by the blood of others and inked their signatures on the dotted line in a Regimental Combat Team 5-sponsored Iraqi Police recruiting drive.

“In spite of the fact that the police are being targeted, these guys stand forward and join the force,” said Col. Larry Nicholson, the commanding officer of RCT-5. “That speaks more eloquently than any Iraqi or American commander can. They are voting with their feet.”

Since Aug. 1, nine Iraqi policemen have been slain in the line of duty, according to Lt. Col. Frank Charlonis, the RCT-5 Police Implementation officer.

While sporadic bursts of small-arms fire echoed from several blocks away and mortar rounds impacted the adjacent buildings, the eager, albeit thirsty, Iraqi applicants signed their way through a sheaf of paperwork in a sweltering gymnasium sans air conditioning.

“I want to protect my city and fight against terrorism,” said one applicant through an interpreter while waiting in the queue.

Another applicant readily agreed and added, “I have a big desire to be a police officer.”

Within the week, they will enroll in an eight-week training course offered by the Jordan International Police TrainingCollege, Charlonis said, and will be schooled in the rudiments of police work.

Currently, 1700 Iraqi police serve in greater Fallujah.

ISF, MND-B forces push ‘Operation Together Forward’ into western Baghdad

BAGHDAD – Iraqi Security Forces, supported by Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers, continued their combined effort today in western Baghdad’s Shula and Ameriyah neighborhoods in support of Operation Together Forward.

The combined operations on simultaneous objectives are led by the soldiers of 1st and 5th Brigades from the 6th Iraqi Army Division, and policemen from 5th Brigade, 2nd Iraqi National Police Division, supported by Soldiers from 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, and 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team.

The operations are designed to reduce the level of murders, kidnappings, assassinations, terrorism and sectarian violence in northwest Baghdad and to reinforce the Iraqi government’s control in Iraq’s capital city.

Soldiers from 1st and 5th Bde., 6th IAD, along with Soldiers from 2nd BCT, 1st Arm. Div., began an operation today to search approximately 4,000 homes and businesses in the Ameriyah neighborhood.

“Security in Baghdad is the top priority for everyone working in Operation Together Forward. We continue to work very closely with Iraqi Security Forces in a major effort to clear this area of terrorists and death squads. Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition Forces are working side by side every day to increase security in Baghdad and help the Iraqi people return to a more normal domestic life,” said Col. Robert Scurlock, commander of the 2nd BCT, 1st Armor Div.

Policemen from 5th Bde., 2nd INP Div., and 1st Bde., 6th IAD, along with Soldiers from 172nd SBCT, began a simultaneous operation today to search homes and businesses in the Shula neighborhood.

Patrols detain suspects, seize munitions
1st BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div
CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Soldiers from 2nd Tank Brigade, 9th Iraqi Army Division, supported by Soldiers from 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, detained seven suspected terrorists during a combined operation that began at approximately 1 a.m. Saturday north of Baghdad.

Soldiers from 2nd Bde., 9th IAD, and Troop A, 7th Sqdn., conducted a cordon and search and detained 38 suspects; 31 were released and seven were moved to Camp Taji for questioning.

Meanwhile, a dismounted patrol from 7th Sqdn., 10th Cav. Regt., seized munitions from two sites north of Baghdad at approximately 7:15 p.m. Saturday.

A patrol from Troop B found a rocket-propelled grenade launcher with two rounds, an AK-47 assault rifle with 10 magazines, a missile guidance system and 20 to 30 pounds of flake TNT explosives.

The same patrol found a mortar round at a second site. An Estonian Infantry Platoon attached to 7th Sqdn. reinforced the patrol and assisted with the searches.

Iraqi Forces Capture Terrorist in Baghdad Operation
Multinational Corps – Iraq Public Affairs Office
BAGHDAD – Iraqi forces conducted an early-morning operation on August 14 in west Baghdad, capturing one of their primary targets and detaining one other individual.

Iraqi Security Forces, supported by Coalition advisors, conducted the intelligence-focused, precision raid at a two-story residence in the Mansour district, capturing their primary target without incident. This individual is believed to be responsible for the shooting death of one U.S. soldier and one interpreter in January.

No Iraqi forces, coalition forces or civilians were injured during this operation.

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