Courthouse opens in Salman Pak

Photo By Staff Sgt. James Hutto | Col. Wayne W. Grigsby, Jr., from Prince George's County, Md., commander of the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, speaks with the Iraqi media following the opening of the new court house in Salman Pak, Nov. 17.  

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, IRAQ

11.20.2007

Story by Spc. James Hutto 

3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division

Story and photos by Spc. Ben Hutto, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq – In an important step forward, the people of Salman Pak opened a court house in their community, Nov. 17.

Eventually four judges, 30 support staff workers and security guards will operate out of the building.

Col. Wayne W. Grigsby, Jr., from Prince George's County, Md., the commander of the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, toured the building and spoke with Iraqi media afterward.

"We just opened a brand new courthouse in Salman Pak and the rule of law is coming back to the Mada'in," Grigsby said. "The great people of the Mada'in Qada can come and get marriage certificates, birth certificates and just basic fundamentals of normal living."

Maj. James Carlisle, from West Palm Beach, Fla., the civil-military operations officer for the 3rd HBCT, explained that the 3rd HBCT has been working for the last six months to help invigorate the justice system in Salman Pak.

"The building is symbolic of the improved security in Salman Pak and sets the stage for governance in the area," Carlisle said. "Judges are important because they are the investigators in criminal cases. The people in Salman Pak currently have to travel to Jisr Diyala for that. In addition, they will now be able to get deeds for property, licenses and have an authority to settle civil disputes outside of the church."

Carlisle was confident the Joint Security Station in Salman Pak will provide a stable environment around the courthouse.

"The Iraqi police have vowed to keep the building secure and the judges safe," Carlisle said. "The IP wants this as much as any citizen there. The presence of judges and rule of law will make their lives much easier."

The 3rd HBCT, 3rd Inf. Div. is from Fort Benning, Ga., and has been deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom V since March.

• Date Taken: 11.20.2007
• Date Posted: 11.20.2007 11:14
• Story ID: 14067
• Location: FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, IQ