Iraqi army soldiers lead humanitarian drop, win support of Shulla people

Courtesy Photo | Iraqi army soldiers from Company C, 2nd Battalion, 22nd Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army...... read more read more

Courtesy Photo | Iraqi army soldiers from Company C, 2nd Battalion, 22nd Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, recruited a few local nationals to assist with downloading the humanitarian assistance packets in preparation for distribution to Iraqi families in the Shulla community in northwest Baghdad, Sept. 10, 2008.  see less | View Image Page

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

09.10.2008

Courtesy Story

2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (AA) Public Affairs

✔ ✗ Subscribe

16

By 1st Lt. Christopher T. Taylor
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division

BAGHDAD - Iraqi army soldiers from Company C, 2nd Battalion, 22nd Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, partnered with Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers conducted a humanitarian assistance drop in the northwestern Baghdad neighborhood of Shulla, Sept. 10, 2008.

Iraqi security and coalition forces have conducted numerous HA drops throughout Shulla, but this one was unique because it was planned and executed by the Iraqi army with minimal CF oversight.

Staff Sgt. Perry Transue stood watching while his platoon, 1st Platoon from Company B, 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), pulled security for the Iraqi army soldiers.

"It is crazy to think that just a few months ago this place was completely off limits to coalition and Iraqi forces," said Transue. "If you had asked me a few months ago if I'd be standing in the streets of Shulla watching the IA conducting operations this soon after the hostilities, I would have said, no."

The tenacity and discipline during the hostilities in March instilled confidence in the Iraqi army in Shulla, said Transue. The Iraqi army fought off heavy enemy fire in Shulla from special groups criminals in March, which really tested their abilities as a true fighting force. The Iraqi army held off the enemy push, and held decisive checkpoints to keep the enemy from advancing. They stood up to the militias and now are preventing them from regaining influence in the area. The Iraqi security forces have discovered the importance in winning over the trust and respect of the people.

The Iraqi army has improved exponentially since the Strike troops took over the area in November 2007, said Transue.

"It is great to be given the opportunity to supply all these people with food, but this is just a small sample of the things we [the Iraqi army] want to accomplish here in Shulla," said Iraqi army Maj. Muhammad, the operations officer of the 2nd Bn., 22nd Bde., 6th IA Div. "We still need to clean the streets of trash, repair the streets, and provide better medical services to the residents of Shulla."

Muhammad is optimistic about the future relationship between his battalion and the local nationals in Shulla. He is driven and feels that he and his Soldiers will make a difference with their continued effort.

The Iraqi army troops set the example for Iraqi army battalions across Baghdad, said Muhammad.

"People are beginning to see the strength of the Iraqi army. The people see that we are beginning to conduct operations on our own, without the help of coalition forces. Residents of Shulla no longer hesitate to bring issues to us because they realize we are capable of providing security for them," said Muhammad.

The HA drop was a well organized event. The Iraqi army separated males and females into two different lines and alternated giving packages to each sex. They were deliberate and showed no favoritism to any person or family.

"Their organizational skills and tactical expertise has dramatically increased since we arrived in November 2007," said Transue. "This HA drop was very well organized compared to previous operations we conducted earlier in the deployment. The Iraqi army organized the HA drop efficiently and effectively completed the mission."

The Iraqi army planned and executed the vast majority of the mission. All the coalition forces needed to do was help provide security.

"The rest of the operation was done by the IA," said Transue. "It is nice to see that the Iraqi army is beginning to conduct operations the way they are supposed to be done.

"They put thought into the operation and are genuinely concerned about the outcome," Transue continued. "They know the future of the Iraqi army relies heavily on how the people perceive them."

This HA drop was only a small event in a much larger plan to give the IA complete control of Shulla.

The Iraqi army stepped up and showed that they have the ability to provide for their people. The Iraqi army troops will remain persistent in fighting the enemy as well as providing whatever services are needed to help the local nationals. They have not failed in Shulla thus far and they will not in the future.