Soldiers spread word on rewards program

Photo By Luis Delgadillo | Staff Sgt. Shawn Wenninger, non-commissioned officer in charge of information operations, for 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division out of Fort Stewart, Ga., distributes leaflets to residents of Arab Jabour from a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter July 6. The information circulated by Wenninger, a native of East Moline Ill., announces the details of a weapons reward program to residents of Arab Jabour.  

ISKANDARIYAH, IRAQ

07.07.2007

Story by Sgt. Luis Delgadillo 

Multi-National Division-Central

By Luis Delgadillo
Multi-National Division-Central

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – Psychological operations Soldiers of the 3rd Infantry Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team dropped leaflets from a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter for villagers in the vicinity of Arab Jabour Friday.

The information on the leaflets included announcements promoting a weapons reward program. Residents can utilize this program to help coalition troops eliminate al-Qaida from Arab Jabour.

Maj. John A. Brock, 2nd BCT information operations officer, says that the intent of the reward program is to gather information that will lead to the seizure of weapons, explosives caches or high value target locations in exchange for monetary compensation or items of equal value.

Brock, a native of New Orleans, said that people in Arab Jabour can provide information through a tip line.

The program is part of a multifaceted effort taken by 2nd BCT Soldiers to root out al-Qaida resources and eliminate al-Qaida's use of the region as a thoroughfare for weapons into Baghdad.

Other leaflets dropped included curfew notice reminders, the announcement of the capture of one of the 3rd Inf. Div.'s fifteen wanted individuals, and a warning to residents of Arab Jabour not to use the Tigris River.

Along with an information campaign, Soldiers of the Guardian Brigade are also conducting patrols in the region, steadily denying safety to insurgents.

Brock said that the focus isn't just on any one individual who might come forward with intelligence, but that the focus of the program is on the entire community.

"I think there are a lot of good people up there who want a good life," he said.

Though success is not guaranteed, Maj. Daniel Canales, civil affairs officer for the 2nd BCT, says residents in the region are ready to be rid of al-Qaida insurgents.

Canales, who is originally from Point Pleasant, N.J., says the hope in Arab Jabour is that the program mimics the success of similar programs throughout Iraq.

"The key thing there is they've had some false starts before and they need an Iraqi government and a coalition presence that stays for a while," said Canales.

• Date Taken: 07.07.2007
• Date Posted: 07.10.2007 10:03
• Story ID: 11193
• Location: ISKANDARIYAH, IQ