Essential services linked to security gains

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

08.31.2009

Story by Sgt. Dustin Roberts 

2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division Public Affairs

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BAGHDAD — As the role of U.S. forces continues to evolve in Iraq, one brigade combat team is still focused on keeping the pressure on insurgents through a surprising means.

Soldiers of 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team "Dagger," 1st Infantry Division, Multi-National Division — Baghdad maintains their work with the government of Iraq and the Iraqi security forces through funding and managing essential services projects in northwest Baghdad and the rural areas around Abu Ghraib.

Building and repairing water treatment facilities, removing war-debris and bulk trash, improving both child and adult education are all but a few of the priorities in the brigade's project portfolio. The brigade has committed funds and managed numerous projects in its time in Iraq, all focused on the improvements in Iraqi infrastructure.

These priorities all focus on one goal: securing the population in Dagger's operational environment, while filling the gaps in what the government cannot provide.

"I think that our civil capacity projects and our projects to improve essential services actually support the security mission because our job here first and foremost is securing the populace," said Lt. Col. Todd Auld, a native of Little Rock, Ark., the brigade's civil-military operations officer. "When we help our GoI partners with essential services and fill those gaps, it isolates the enemy from the population, so in turn helps the security situation."

Auld said mission success is a circular pattern because there cannot be improved security without essential services and vice versa.

"There must be [continually] improved security so that services can get better," he said. "The fact that services are improving also increases the security."

If there are no essential services to meet the needs of the population, insurgents have an opportunity to win the hearts and minds of Iraqi citizens.

"Insurgent networks require a lot of elements and one of those things is a willing populace," said Lt. Col. Frank Tank, a native of Minot, N.D., the brigade's intelligence officer. "If you have citizens who don't allow [terrorism] in your neighborhoods, that persuades insurgents from conducting attacks."

Tank said people all over the world share common essential services needs and Iraqis also need these services.

"Basically people around the world have similar needs. They have water needs; they have a need for medical care; they have a need for power; they have a need to get their kids educated," said Tank. "The choice that they are making; the choice is to either allow the enemy to conduct some activity and pay them to look the other way, or the choice is to trust the [the local government] and the Iraqi security forces because they have provided lights, an opportunity for jobs and medical care. It's really just a matter of choice."

Auld added that it was crucial for the citizens to choose the GoI for support and to deny the insurgency in order for violence to cease.

"If the shortages aren't addressed by the government, the population is going to want them addressed some way," Auld said. "If those things are not taken care of, the enemy is wise enough to say they can provide those things."

If the general population does not totally turn to the insurgency, Auld said there is a chance that they can become complacent, turning a blind-eye to terrorist activity.

"They may not go over to the terrorist side and start blowing things up, but they can become passive; they might not report activity or allow terrorists to be in the area," he said. "That passive support is also important to the enemy."

Because strengthening the bonds between the people and their government plays a major role in improved security, the Dagger Brigade remains persistent in making sure the people are taken care of.

"Really what we seek to do is tie the people in closer to the government and closer to the security forces," said Tank. "It's about providing the populous a better option or a better way ahead."