Courtesy Photo | Members of the Ninewa province Provincial Reconstruction Team, visit various polling...... read more read more
Subscribe
By 1st Lt. Willie Carnes
FORWARD OPERATING BASE MAREZ, Iraq — Eight members from the U.S. Embassy and the Ninewa Provincial Reconstruction Team were tasked to observe the elections at several polling stations throughout the province. These members, named Team East, were sent to observe that correct voting procedures were followed and provide an accurate assessment of seven different polling stations northeast of Mosul.
Red Platoon from Battery B, 1st Battalion, 9th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, supported Team East during the elections. Red Platoon has worked exclusively with the Provincial Reconstruction Team since their arrival at Forward Operations Base Marez in November. The platoon, led by 1st Lt. Willie Carnes and Sgt. 1st Class Joseph McEady were tasked with providing security for Team East and transporting them to each polling station.
Soldiers from the Iraqi army, 2nd Division, joined the team to escort and provide additional security if necessary.
"What made the mission different from previous PRT missions was the fact that no U.S. Forces were allowed within 300 meters of the polling sites. This meant the Soldiers of Red Platoon had to wait at their vehicles while the eight members of Team East went inside alone," said Carnes.
This was to prove to the Iraqi people that Iraqi security forces were fully capable of handling the security of the country without assistance from U.S. Forces.
On the day of the election, Red Platoon and Team East travelled to various polling locations throughout Ninewa province. At each polling station, Team East and Red Platoon were welcomed, as excited children swarmed the Soldiers, laughing and smiling with great curiosity.
"Voters appeared enthusiastic throughout the province," said Sgt. 1st Class McEady. "Despite several IEDs that were defused by the Iraqi security forces in city of Mosul, the overall security across Ninewa province was similar to what we saw throughout the day."
The net result was roughly 70 percent of the registered voters in the Ninewa province made it to the polls to cast their vote.
"Overall, the day of the elections was a great success for Iraq; the Soldiers of Bravo Battery and 1-9 Field Artillery were proud to play a small, but significant part in this historic day," said Carnes.
| Date Taken: | 04.12.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 04.12.2010 04:28 |
| Story ID: | 47988 |
| Location: | FORWARD OPERATING BASE MAREZ, IQ |
| Web Views: | 267 |
| Downloads: | 249 |
This work, 1-9 and Provincial Reconstruction Team support Iraqi election process, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT