Good News From Iraq

By Capt. Maros Dvorsky - Slovakian 7th Engineer Rotation

BAGHDAD — Slovakian engineers continue to make Iraq a safer place, and most notably they discovered, cleared and destroyed more than 27 tons of unexploded munitions in Al Quadisiyah province during Operation White Eagle II.

Since Sept. 11, the 7th Engineer Rotation engineering group assigned to Camp Echo in Ad Diwaniyah, conducted 31 engineering missions.

The Slovakians patrolled, surveyed, de-mined and provided engineer reconnaissance to an area more than 97,900 square meters. Their efforts significantly reduced what could have been a great threat local Iraqi citizens, and kept the munitions from falling into the hands of insurgents or others who would harm Iraqis and Coalition Forces.

In addition to conducting mine clearing operations, Slovakian engineers provided valuable training to Iraqi engineers on minefield safety, de-mining, unexploded munitions clearing and disposal and light construction. The Slovakians trainers used both classroom instruction and hands-on exercises to teach important engineering skills.

Also during White Eagle II, the engineers built checkpoints for the Iraqi Army in Ad Diwaniyah. Multi-National Division - Central South Commander, Maj. Gen. Bronislaw Kwiatkowski, commended fourteen Slovakian Soldiers for their outstanding work, courage, readiness, engagement and devotion to making Iraq a safer place.

COALITION FORCES DESTROY TERRORIST IED FACTORY BAGHDAD — Coalition Forces launched an air strike on an IED factory early Wednesday morning South of Baghdad as they continue to dismantle the al-Qaeda in Iraq terrorist network. With the assistance of Iraqi citizens, Coalition Forces were able to locate and destroy a confirmed terrorist IED factory. According to ground forces, there was explosive paraphernalia along with an estimated 70-80 barrels of unknown chemicals in the factory. Before conducting the strike, Coalition Forces maintained surveillance on the target and surrounding area to ensure no innocent civilians would be injured in the strike. The destruction of this factory reduces the ability of the terrorist network to operate, and increases the safety of all Iraqi citizens, Iraqi forces and Iraq’s Multi-National partners.

ONE TERRORIST KILLED, ONE DETAINED IN BALAD
BALAD, Iraq — Coalition Forces killed a terrorist and detained a suspected terrorist Tuesday morning during a successful raid in Balad.

The early morning raid targeted an individual associated with a suspected senior leader of an al-Qaeda in Iraq network who is known for links with foreign terrorists and IED attacks in the area.

As Coalition ground forces approached the targeted area, three suspected terrorists fled to a nearby river. The ground forces pursued the terrorists and fired warning shots in an attempt to capture them. After the terrorists fired on the Coalition ground force, the ground force returned fire and killed one terrorist. The other two fled the area. Coalition Forces successfully continued their mission and captured the suspected terrorist.

FIVE TERRORISTS KILLED, ONE DETAINED IN BAGHDAD
BAGHDAD, Iraq — Coalition Forces killed five terrorists and detained one suspected terrorist Tuesday morning during a raid in Baghdad that targeted individuals associated with a suspected senior leader of an al-Qaeda in Iraq network.

As Coalition Forces approached the targeted building, several people ran inside. The assault force continued inside and received fire. They immediately returned fire, killing five terrorists armed with AK-47s. Several women and children were also in the building but they were not injured or detained. The ground forces searched the building and discovered an illegal collection of military equipment, destroying it on-site to prevent further use by al-Qaeda members. Nine weapons were also found on the scene.

This morning’s raid was conducted as a direct result of information gained when Coalition Forces detained a suspected terrorist during an Oct. 28 raid in the same area. Both raids involved al-Qaeda in Iraq members who have a history of acquiring explosives and building deadly car bombs.

IRAQI FIREFIGHTERS IN BASRA
BASRAH — The Iraqi Fire Service here took a step forward to undertaking full responsibility for the safety of commercial aircraft at Basrah International Airport after a recent large-scale crash exercise.

The exercise was run by the British Royal Air Force fire fighters of 903 Expeditionary Air Wing, Basrah Air Station, responsible for first-line crash response at the airport.

The RAF personnel train and mentor Iraqi Fire Service crews in responding to aircraft emergencies. The intention is for the IFS to take on the emergency response role for commercial aircraft, while RAF fire crews retain responsibility for all military movements at BAS.

"We are confident that we can accomplish the task of making Basrah a safe place in which to land international passengers," said the Basrah Airport director, impressed with the exercise.

The Exercise is the culmination of four months hard work for the Iraqi firefighters as they completed a new training package, and represents a major development in the capability of the IFS to act independently.

Based on the scenario of a Fokker 40 aircraft suffering engine problems in the Basrah International Airport circuit, the IFS was raised through the emergency alert states, and responded in impressively quick time.

Liaison with the Air Traffic Control and the Medical Centre Response Team also went well. Five simulated casualties, ranging from broken legs to fatalities, were removed from the scene for the appropriate medical attention.

"There are some learning points to work on, but I'm pleased by the good level we have achieved during training. We now aim to build on this solid foundation, and we have clear sign-posts as to which direction future training should take," said RAF Fire Officer Warrant Officer Mick Clarkstone

The IFS were being assessed in initial manning, firefighting procedures for large aircraft, the treatment and evacuation of casualties from the scene, and detailed liaison with other agencies, such as Air Traffic Control and the medics.

The IFS fire fighters trained in Oman and in other overseas training schools, before taking up duties at BIA. The majority are trained to basic fire fighter level, though 11 have been selected as vehicle commanders and two as Watch Commanders. There are a total of 72 Iraqis under RAF Fire Service training.

Group Captain Tom Cross, Commander of 903 EAW, was present at the scene. He came away impressed with what he saw:

"This was an impressive exercise performance and a very important milestone on the road towards Iraqi self-reliance at BIA. I am hopeful that we can hand over the fire cover responsibility for commercial flights to the Iraqi airport authorities by the end of this year. We should be very proud of our own fire fighters, as the progress made so far is largely down to their efforts.

WASHINGTON — The “center of gravity” in the Iraq war is in America with the American people, not on the battlefield, and the media is a powerful tool that influences the people’s will, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said Oct. 24 in various radio interviews.

“This is the first war that's been conducted in the 21st century with all the new media realities of 24-hour talk radio and Sony cams and digital cameras and news constantly on television,” Rumsfeld said in an interview with Inga Barks on KERN News/Talk Radio in Bakersfield, Calif. “But the American people have a pretty good center of gravity. They've got a good inner gyroscope. And it may be disorienting for a time; it may blow us off course somewhat, but we tend to re-center.”

Rumsfeld did several radio interviews as part of White House Radio Day, where various administration officials talked with representatives from radio stations around the country.

America’s wars have always had critics, but the difference in this war is the prevalence of the media, Rumsfeld said in his interviews. Terrorists recognize the influence the media has, so they use their own media committees to determine how best to manipulate the American public through the media, he said.

Terrorists plan their attacks to deliberately dishearten the American people and make them think the cause isn’t right or America makes terrorism worse, Rumsfeld said.

“I just don't happen to believe that America is what’s wrong with the world. And I know that's a fact,” he said in an interview with Scott Hennen on “Hot Talk” WDAY AM 970 in Fargo, N.D. “And these terrorists have been determined to dishearten the American people, and we simply must not let that happen.”

Despite negative media reports, Iraq is making progress, Rumsfeld noted. An aerial tour over the country will show people going about their daily activities, such as driving, shopping and eating in restaurants, he said. The troops also see the progress made, he said.

“Everywhere I go with the troops around the world -- in Iraq, Afghanistan, the Horn of Africa -- invariably they will ask me, ‘Why is the impression in the United States so notably different from what they see? Why is the general impression of what's taking place so different?’ And it's because of the media. They decide to do that,” he said.

The insurgency in Iraq is tough right now, and as more progress is made, the terrorists become more determined to throw the government off track, Rumsfeld said. However, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is a strong person who is committed to the country’s success, and U.S. troops serving on the ground are doing amazing things, the secretary said.

“I never cease to be impressed. If I want to be inspired, I go visit the troops,” Rumsfeld said in the interview with Hennen. “And they are doing just a superb job for the country. They're proud of what they're doing. They're professional. They are highly skilled at what they do.”

The U.S. is constantly changing its tactics to better fight terrorists, who are a smart enemy and adjust their tactics, Rumsfeld said. However tough the fight might be, the coalition and Iraqi government are committed to defeating the terrorists and bringing peace to the country, he said.

“It's serious, and it's important, and our task is to see that our country prevails and that we succeed in this effort,” he said. “The consequences for our country were Iraq to be turned over to the terrorists and terrorist training camp, as Afghanistan was, with their water and their oil and their size and their geographic location -- it would impose an enormous threat to our country and to our friends and allies around the world.”

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