MPs welcome influx of fresh supplies in Saqlawiyah

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

02.22.2008

Courtesy Story

Multi-National Division Baghdad

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By Sgt. Daniel Blottenberger
18th Military Police Brigade Public Affairs Office

CAMP VICTORY, Iraq – A 5-ton military cargo truck loaded down with a refrigerator, freezer, washing machine, dryer, stove, large pile of wood and an exercise machine recently pulled into the Saqlawiyah Iraqi police patrol station Thursday as Iraqi civilians aligned the sides of the street to take in the spectacle.

For those not aware of what was happening, it may have appeared that a group of coalition forces Soldiers were preparing to move into the Iraqi police station – but they were not.

Coalition forces have been at the Saqlawiyah Iraqi police patrol station since October. During that time period, they have lived like pioneers, said Command Sgt. Maj. Jeffrey Palmer, 716th Military Police Battalion, 18th Military Police Brigade, Multi-National Division Baghdad.

Palmer was referring to the MND-B's 'Interceptors' from 3rd squad, 1st Platoon, 236th Military Police Company, Texas National Guard. The Soldiers have been deployed since October to the patrol station. Their mission is command and control of the Police Transition Team operations in the area.

The squad is living in sector with their partners, the Iraqi police, at the station, which has provided them a better training, advising and support relationship with their IP partners while conducting daily operations.

The cargo brought in by the unit's leaders was important to provide the Soldiers an opportunity to live suitably, said Palmer, a native of St. Roberts, Mo. Even though the station had very limited resources before, the squad of military policemen managed to sustain on their own.

"We get one hot meal a day – that is usually either chicken wings, steak or something we get off the economy," said Sgt. 1st Class Gregorio Ramirez, the unit's cook, who volunteered to leave Camp Fallujah to come help out the squad in Saqlawiyah.

Ramirez said the unit would trade some of its "junk food" with people on the local economy for fresh vegetables.

"Everything that is here, we made ourselves," said Sgt. Juan Obregon, a native of San Antonio.

When the unit arrived in October, security in Saqlawiyah was a problem, and the unit was often attacked by indirect fire.

Three weeks prior to their arrival, the station was hit by a vehicle-borne improvised-explosive-device, which damaged much of the exterior of the building.

"When we first got here, it was a mess," said Spc. Joshua Flores, a native of Redoak, Texas. "We had to clean the place up, rebuild some parts of the walls and deal with some force protection issues to make the place livable."

The unit also had to repair heaters and air-conditioning units, make repairs to the roof and repair its one shower.

The station was also in great need of everyday supplies and necessities.

"I heard the command sergeant major say he was going to get us supplies when he visited us the last time...," said Flores.

Palmer, with the help of the 716th Military Police Battalion, came through for the Interceptors' squad.

"When I visited them the first time, I couldn't eat that night knowing there were Soldiers out there living like that," said Palmer, adding that he had to do something to make life more livable for the Soldiers out there.

"The command sergeant major came through for us; he got us what we needed and much more," said Flores, after downloading the supplies off the truck.

The new supplies brought smiles to the faces of the military police Soldiers.

"We are very thankful for what we got today. This will make things a lot easier for us in the future," said Obregon.

The improvements in the IP station of Saqlawiyah extends out into the street. Violence has decreased in the area since Iraqi police began to regularly patrol the streets, along with the MPs and Marines.

"Crime rate and threats have gone down a lot in this area in the last few months," said Flores.

Palmer and his security team left the station after asking if the Soldiers needed anything else. The Soldiers, as one, said they were very pleased with the new supplies.

"This is just not how we are built. I cannot just stand by while Soldiers are living like this without doing something," said Palmer.