Leaders of 3rd Sustainment Brigade keep up neighborly ways with base local

Photo By Sgt. Maj. Chris Seaton | A UH-60 Black Hawk, assigned to 1st Battalion, 244th Aviation Regiment, takes off for...... read more read more

Photo By Sgt. Maj. Chris Seaton | A UH-60 Black Hawk, assigned to 1st Battalion, 244th Aviation Regiment, takes off for a passenger travel mission Aug. 7, 2008. The battalion, organized in Iraq as Task Force Voodoo, began flying missions in support of Multi-National Corps – Iraq in July. This is the unit's second Operation Iraqi Freedom deployment.  see less | View Image Page

QAYYARAH, IRAQ

08.14.2008

Story by Spc. Anthony Hooker 

3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command

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CONTIGENCY OPERATING BASE Q-WEST, Iraq – Col. Darrell Williams and select members of the 3rd Sustainment Brigade leadership chain ate lunch at the home of base neighbor Dr. Muhammad Ismail Ahmad Ramah June 25, 2008.

Ramah, or Doc Muhammad as he is called, is a medical practitioner by trade, but enjoys a large sphere of influence with the leadership at Q-West and locals that live near the base.

Williams and his staff were treated to a large feast featuring portions of roasted lamb, flanked on a plate by rice, onions, raisins, a dressing similar to Chinese noodles called chlia, placed on top of flatbread. Stuffed peppers, okra soup and plates of fruit complemented the main plates.

Following an Iraqi custom of eating the meal without utensils, Williams expressed satisfaction with his meal. "Doc, the food is great," Williams commented between bites. "You've done a great job putting this together."

Muhammad, who lives a short distance from Q-West, is an important person to the base's leadership. Not only has he provided information for insurgent activity around the base, but also been a key facilitator of finding skilled and unskilled employees to work with the base's Department of Public Works. Currently working as a gravel contractor, Muhammad's position among his people is important and one that allows him an audience with both locals and Coalition Forces.

"Doc's prescence in the community is beneficial to both the military and the local populace," said Williams. "His cooperation helps us maintain a strong prescence in the area and his ability to reach people in the community allows them opportunities to get jobs working for us."

Prior to the luncheon, Williams and his staff were able to get comments from Muhammad's brother Hussayn, who serves as the muktar in the local village. Hussayn said neighboring locals were interested in obtaining work on the base to help stimulate financial growth in their communities, but were concerned that the effort might not be worth enduring the threats of insurgents.

Lt. Col. Keith Dinn, Q-West's mayor cell commander, said he was looking to bring in locals that can work under an apprenticeship. About 350 locals currently work on the base.

"We will be offering training in fields like carpentry, construction, plumbing," said Dinn. "This training will give these guys the chance to enhance their skills along with the opportunity to build up their local economy."

Muhammad said he has been associating with the military in this area ever since 2003, during the original stages of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

"When the Coalition Forces came here, [Iraqis] were afraid to meet them and [force members] seemed cautious about approaching us," Muhammad said. "I just decided to go up and introduce myself."

That meeting led to Muhammad serving as a host to the military leadership, personally taking the commander around the area in his personal vehicle. "His security was not too happy about that decision," Muhammad said, "but it made a lot of the locals very comfortable with the military prescence."

Muhammad also has others keeping an eye on those who threaten base security. One of Muhammad's neighbors is an Iraqi army veteran who was visited by two army buddies. The visitors discussed ways they could attack the post. When Muhammad was told of the conversation, he informed the base of the possible move and set up a conversation that would allow the visitors to reveal their intentions. When the visitors reintroduced their idea, Muhammad let base officials know their intent and the two were captured.

That kind of cooperation has brought Dr. Muhammad some enemies, including Al-Queida. Earlier this year, Dr. Muhammad's car struck a victim-activated improvised-explosive device, destroying the car and crushing his feet and lower legs. Muhammad was evacuated to a base hospital where his injuries required amputation up to his upper thighs. Despite having to use metal crutches to walk, Muhammad remains pledged to the alliance he has forged with the coalition.

"I've tried to help all understand the good influence the coalition has brought," said Muhammad, "and how [their] prescence ultimately allows for good business to flow among Iraqis."

The response the military showed towards Dr. Muhammad sent a ripple effect through the local community, allowing him rise to an even higher status within the community.
"Doc has gained what they call in Iraq wastta, [like a godfather status-that he has influence with powerful forces]," said Lt. Col. Bert Owens, chief security officer for Q-West. "When the locals saw how the military came to rescue Doc and how he was taken care of, that was huge to the community."

Owens said Williams also visited Muhammad at the hospital, confirming how strong the connection between the two are.

After lunch, Williams and his staff shared pleasantries with Doc Muhammad and his family, scooping up the kids that wandered in and out of the dining room. After suiting back up to leave, Williams gave a hug and thanks to Muhammad for the meal and his charitable demeanor. These simple acts reaffirmed the standing commitment the two groups have made towards one another in the struggle to provide some stability in an uncertain environment.