Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Kerensa Hardy | Gen. Ray Odierno, Multi-National Force-Iraq commander, points out changes he's noticed...... read more read more
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By Sgt. 1st Class Kerensa Hardy
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault Public Affairs Office
CAMP STRIKER, Iraq – On the heels of assuming command of the Multi-National Force – Iraq, Gen. Ray Odierno visited the Rakkasans' area of operations Sept. 17, 2008.
With 60 Minutes correspondent Leslie Stahl and production crew in tow, Gen. Petraeus' successor walked through the Mahmudiyah Market with Mahmudiyah Qada mayor Jabbar Farraj Mullah al-Chalabi, Staff Maj. Gen. Ali Jassim Muhammad Hassen Al Frejee, 17th Iraqi Army Division commander, and Col. Dominic Caraccilo, commander of 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).
While walking, Odierno cited the remarkable changes in the area since his last visit. Asked if the surge was responsible for the security gains, he said it helped.
"The surge allowed us to spread our presence to areas where we didn't have people before," Odierno said. "What that allowed is more of a change in our tactics, techniques and procedures. We got out of our large bases and went to very small bases and allowed us to spread out even further and ... work with the Iraqis in many of these areas.
"We lived with the people, worked with the people, they saw us every day – that built their confidence ... in us," he said.
The confidence of the Iraqi people in coalition forces was evident in that the vendors and locals at the market were seemingly unfazed by the group of U.S. Soldiers who accompanied IA troops on the streets of their city. Children and adults alike waved and greeted the Soldiers with smiles and other friendly gestures.
Later, Odierno sat down with Maj. Gen. Ali and Caraccilo to discuss the future of the 17th IA Div. as it progressively takes on an even greater security role as the Rakkasans prepare to depart the area.
"I seriously think the Iraqi government should consider the Sons of Iraq to be part of our security forces, especially in South Baghdad," Maj. Gen. Ali said, adding that efforts are currently underway to make that happen. "The south sector of Baghdad has managed to defeat extremism... We managed to eliminate the threat... We have been able to accomplish a lot."
Performing concurrent missions, Maj. Gen. Ali said his Soldiers face some challenges. His organization is making the transition from being a brigade to a division, building a division staff while training new personnel on new equipment and taking over areas of responsibility from coalition forces.
"I'm really happy they formed the 17th IA Div. because one of my worries when I left here was that we didn't have [enough] security forces in the area to assume the responsibility [from] coalition forces ... allowing us to reduce our presence," Odierno said.
"We can do it because the conditions are set ... the enemy has been neutralized, we understand the population," Caraccilo said. "The Iraqi army is taking hold of and putting themselves among the populace, understanding all the facets of the counterinsurgency fight and ... they've already taken six of our patrol bases and there's been no downturn in security in those areas."
Odierno is encouraged by what is taking place in the Mahmudiyah Qada and sees it as a sign of what could happen in other areas.
"This is an example of what we're trying to do as we reduce our presence," Odierno said. "This is what we're looking to do in the future and you're one of the first ones that are doing it... I'm very pleased."
| Date Taken: | 09.20.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 09.20.2008 02:42 |
| Story ID: | 23892 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 246 |
| Downloads: | 141 |
This work, Odierno tours Mahmudiyah Market; meets with 17th Iraqi Army Division commander, by SFC Kerensa Hardy, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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