Preparing Iraqi Army for Joint Security Station Sadr City transfer

Photo By Master Sgt. Mark Burrell | Cpl. Shane Smith, an infantryman team leader from Worcester, Mass., assigned to...... read more read more

Photo By Master Sgt. Mark Burrell | Cpl. Shane Smith, an infantryman team leader from Worcester, Mass., assigned to Company B, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, secures the area as an Iraqi Army Soldier also keeps watch in an alley in Sadr City, May 27. Smith and his fellow Soldiers go on two or three patrols per day.  see less | View Image Page

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

05.27.2009

Story by Staff Sgt. Mark Burrell 

Multi-National Division Baghdad

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BAGHDAD — As U.S. forces prepare Joint Security Station Sadr City to transition back to the Government of Iraq next month, security is vital as the Iraqi army takes on more responsibility in the once volatile Jamilla neighborhood of Sadr City.

On patrol, May 27, the "Barbarians" of Company B, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, aren't concerned about the neighborhood's reputation, but about accomplishing their mission.

"Where we're moving to, it's not very far," said Pfc. Daniel Owen, a radio telephone operator and infantryman from Eaton Rapids, Mich., assigned to B Co. "We're going to keep coming back here every mission day and we're still going to interact with the local people and eventually turn it over to the Iraqi army."

In conjunction with the Iraqi army, the Barbarians' emphasis is on cooperating with the local population, securing their area of Sadr City and preparing to handover their area of operations back to the Government of Iraq, explained Owen.

"It's not going to be a problem when they move out of JSS Sadr City," added Maj. Abdulrahmam Jabar Muhsen, 2nd Company commander assigned to 3rd Battalion, 4th Brigade, 11th Iraqi Army Division, who works daily with coalition forces. "It's the right thing to do, giving the government more responsibility."

In order to transfer control of joint security stations like JSS Sadr City, there has to be communication and confidence on both sides that the area will be in good hands.

"It's very good here," said Abdulrahmam with a businesslike squint. "The security situation has improved because of the cooperation with the Iraqi army and coalition forces."

"We're trying to make a good relationship with the United States and the Iraqi army," added Owen. "If people in the community see that, then they think we're doing good here, which we are."

According to Owen, the Soldiers of Company B routinely go on joint patrols with their IA counterparts to meet with the people in the community and try to address their needs and concerns as much as possible.

"If we can talk to people and intervene somehow," continued Owen. "Then maybe we can help them not do anymore bad things and help them take a positive role in their community. That's our whole focus — to get the community working together."

With the JSS handover quickly approaching, the cavalry troopers have stepped up patrols and increased efforts to reach out to the IA, explained Owen.

"The IA have improved leaps and bounds," said Sgt. Joseph Thompson, an infantryman squad leader from Killeen, Texas, also assigned to B Co. "They've transitioned into an army their country can be proud of... they're really transitioning into a solid, steady work force."

A testament to the cooperation among the U.S.Soldiers, IA and the local community is the active approach they are taking toward security, thus making Sadr City the safest it's been in years, added Thompson, who is on his fourth tour to Iraq.

"Every major route has an Iraqi checkpoint," continued Thompson. "The Iraqis are out searching vehicles, talking to people; they're interacting and basically restricting what [insurgents] can do. If they can't move, they can't emplace [improvised explosive devices]."

According to Thompson, every day his fellow Soldiers are placing more and more responsibility on the shoulders of their Iraqi Army partners, preparing for a smooth transition.

"It's getting to the point where they want to do it on their own," Thompson said. "The IA is getting to the point where they can function without us, so I say, you know, let them take the lead."

With more and more joint security stations being transitioned back to the GoI, success hinges on Soldiers like that of Company B who have prepared their ISF partners for success in communities across Baghdad.