Multi-National Force-Iraq Command Sergeant Major visits Kirkuk province to view progress

Photo By Spc. Karla Elliott | Command Sgt. Maj. Lawrence K. Wilson (left), of Multi-National Force - Iraq command group, is greeted by Command Sgt. Maj. David Clark, with 18th Engineers Brigade, during Wilson's visit to Forward Operating Base Warrior in Kirkuk province, Iraq, on Dec. 4.  

KIRKUK, IRAQ

12.10.2008

Story by Spc. Karla Elliott 

11th Public Affairs Detachment

By Spc. Karla P. Elliott
11th Public Affairs Detachment

KIRKUK, Iraq – Multi-National Force - Iraq's Command Sgt. Maj. Lawrence K. Wilson visited with Soldiers in Forward Operating Base Warrior in Kirkuk province, Iraq, on Dec. 4.

With Kirkuk's recent security progress, Wilson went on a route clearance mission with the Soldiers of 572nd Mobility Augmentation Company, 326th Engineer Battalion, 36th Engineer Brigade out of Fort Hood, Texas, to see how the city has improved.

Along with coalition forces, soldiers with the Iraqi army joined the convoy around the city and its neighboring villages.

"Partnership is what's going to help Iraq be able to take care of itself with its security forces in the future," Wilson said.

Iraq will have to take lead in security soon because coalition forces will not be here forever, he continued.

"We're seeing more and more that the IP and IA are reporting [improvised explosive devices], where as before, they never reported them," said Command Sgt. Maj. David Clark, 18th Engineer Brigade. "They're stepping up and calling them in now."

After the several-hour mission, Wilson spoke with the combat engineer Soldiers and handed out his coins during lunch.

IA soldiers joined in on lunch, and three of them were also awarded the sergeant major's coin for excellence in their work.

After his lunch with the combat engineer Soldiers, Wilson linked up with a room full of non-commissioned officers in 6-6 Air Cavalry, 10th Mountain Division out of Fort Drum, N.Y., for an overview of air assets in Kirkuk province.

He then awarded several other Soldiers with his coins and gave numerous gifts to the First Sergeants of 6-6 Air Cav. to give to their deserving Soldiers.

Wilson said, "It's the small unit leaders, the squad leaders, the team leaders and the Soldiers that execute the missions that have made us as successful as we are today."

His last stop for the day was at the main dining facility to have dinner with senior non-commissioned officers. There, senior NCOs had the opportunity to address any issues to Wilson.

• Date Taken: 12.10.2008
• Date Posted: 12.10.2008 02:55
• Story ID: 27426
• Location: KIRKUK, IQ