Iraqi sheikh helps prepare Lejeune Marines for upcoming deployment

Photo By Master Sgt. Keith Milks | Corporal Micah W. Kirkpatrick, of Athens, Ga., a MV-22 Osprey crew chief with Marine...... read more read more

Photo By Master Sgt. Keith Milks | Corporal Micah W. Kirkpatrick, of Athens, Ga., a MV-22 Osprey crew chief with Marine Medium Tilt-rotor Squadron 266, salutes as Sheikh Tariq K. Al-Abdullah and Brig. Gen. John E. Wissler board his aircraft aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., July 22, 2008. Sheikh Tariq was aboard Camp Lejeune visiting the Marine leadership of the II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), of which Wissler is deputy commanding general, in anticipation of the unit's scheduled deployment to Iraq in early 2009.  see less | View Image Page

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, UNITED STATES

08.01.2008

Story by Master Sgt. Keith Milks 

II Marine Expeditionary Force   

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By Master Sgt. Keith A. Milks
II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) Public Affairs

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- In the years since the fall of Saddam Hussein's Baathist regime, ordinary Iraqi citizens have stepped forward and taken an active role in charting their country's future.

Key among those citizens were the hundreds of Iraqi sheikhs, or elders and persons of financial or political prominence, whose voices and actions have put Iraq down a path toward peace and democracy. Among these men, prominent businessman Sheikh Tarik K. Al-Alabdullah from the Al Anbar province has emerged as a vocal advocate for Iraqi progression and a strong supporter of the Marine Corps' mission in western Iraq.

Within hours of his arrival in North Carolina on a recent, self-funded goodwill visit to the United States, Sheikh Tarik met with officers from the II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) and briefed them on his insights to the current situation in the Al Anbar province. II MEF (Fwd) is scheduled to spearhead the Marine mission to Iraq in early 2009, having just returned from the region earlier this year.

"We are at the very early stages of building our command element," said Maj. Gen. R.T. Tryon, Commanding General of II MEF (Fwd). "As we come together, the opportunity to share your perspective will be very useful."

"You can help us do what both our governments want us to do," continued Tryon, "and build a democratic, sovereign Iraq."

For more than two hours, Sheikh Tarik briefed Tryon, the II MEF (Fwd) Deputy Commanding General, Brig. Gen. John E. Wissler, and their principal operational staff officers on the current tribal, political and economic situation affecting the people of the Al Anbar province.

"I have the honor to be here with you and look forward to more cooperation as we work toward freedom and democracy in Iraq," Sheikh Tarik told the assembled officers. "The main purpose of this trip was to say thank you for everything the Marines have done in Al Anbar."

The next day, following a MV-22 Osprey over flight of Camp Lejeune and a "windshield" tour of the base, Sheikh Tarik met with the commanders of the units that will maintain the security situation on the ground throughout Al Anbar province. While the previous day's brief was strategic in nature, the second brief was grittier and dealt more with day-to-day, tactical issues.

"Sheikh Tarik's visit provided a unique opportunity for unit leaders to receive information and thoughts from a prominent Iraqi leader," said Capt. Paul C. Teachey, the assistant operations officer for the 8th Marine Regiment. "It also served as a venue for unit leaders to ask specific questions regarding the security situation with the [Iraqi security forces] as well as the continued progress in economic development and governance."

As focus in Iraq shifts away from full-scale combat operations and toward Iraqi unification and self-reliance, a central theme in each day's briefings was how the Marines could best support the rebuilding of Iraq's infrastructure and economic stability.

According to Teachey, Sheikh Tarik elaborated on what Al Anbar specifically needs for continued growth and development, and how improvements to the province's agricultural and transportation infrastructure will benefit the average Iraqi citizen.

"All of these priorities have a direct impact on the small unit at the tactical level," Teachey said. "I consider myself extremely lucky to be given the opportunity to hear Sheikh Tarik comment on the present security situation in Iraq ... the experience was invaluable."

Joining Teachey for the brief were other officers from the 8th Marines, as well as representatives from the 6th Marine Regiment and the 2nd Bn., 10th Marines (Civil Affairs).

"I look forward to more cooperation as we work toward freedom and democracy in Iraq," Sheikh Tarik told the assembled officers.

In looking to the future, Sheikh Tarik spoke of the Marine Corps' past successes in Al Anbar, which was once the most dangerous province in Iraq, but whose security situation has drastically improved in recent months.

"No one can ignore what [the Marines] have done," Sheikh Tarik said. "Without your efforts, we'd still have Al Qaida killing our people"

"The Marines have created a trust between the Marines, the provincial people and the sheikhs. Without your support, we could not have reached this stage of unification in Iraq."

For more information on II MEF (Fwd), visit the unit's web site at http://www.iimefpublic.usmc.mil/iimeffwd, and to learn about the ongoing mission in Iraq, go to http://www.mnfwest.usmc.mil.