Security agreement provides hope

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Whitney Houston | An Iraqi army soldier with the 45th Brigade, 11th Iraqi army division, pulls security on Jan. 8 while on patrol in Sadr City with coalition forces counterpart, Sgt. Sean Cheker, a Chicago native, serving with the 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment "Wolfhounds," 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, "Warrior," 25th Infantry Division, currently attached to 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div., Multi-National Division - Baghdad.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

01.10.2009

Story by Sgt. Whitney Houston 

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

By Sgt. Whitney Houston
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

BAGHDAD – As Iraqis continue to take steps toward making their nation autonomist, Iraqis possess new hopes and expectations for better things to come.

Following new protocol outlined by the new security agreement, Multi-National Division - Baghdad Soldiers accompanied by their Iraqi army counterparts conducted a foot patrol Jan. 8, passing out fliers in the Sadr City District of Baghdad. The IA soldiers, from the 45th Brigade, 11th Iraqi army division, and their American counterparts were helping to inform the people of a criminal supposedly in the area.

"All the patrols we do now are with the Iraq security forces, be it the Iraqi police or the Iraqi army, we can't just run patrols on our own anymore. It is very important that it be this way because they are in the lead now," said 1st Lt. Kenneth Jura, a native of Gulf Breeze, Fla., serving with 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment "Wolfhounds," 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team "Warrior," 25th Infantry Division, currently attached to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division - Baghdad.

The combined patrol mingled with the Iraqi people as they went. The patrol not only showed a friendly presence, but showed the populace the Iraqi security forces are becoming more apt to take control.

"The main part of the patrol was ... let the population see the IA taking part in a presence patrol to further increase trust between the ISF and the populace," said Staff Sgt. Douglas Fischgrund, a native of Linden, N.J., also serving with 1st. Bn., 27th Inf. Regt.

Jura went on to explain some of the advances that coalition forces have been able to make by gaining trust and showing the IA a military system that works. In consequence to this efficiency and trustworthiness, the IA began to organize and pattern their military after that of the U.S. military which has enabled them to move forward in "leaps and bounds."

Although the IA has made significant progress, this grand of scale takes time and attention to ensure solidarity.

"Just like with anything, this step forward will take time to develop and it will evolve with time. But the security agreement is set up in spirit to enable these people to have the freest life possible," Jura said.

Soldiers who have served multiple tours in Iraq have noticed the fruits of their labors unfold leading to the new agreement.

"It's been good to see that things have improved," said Sgt. Jason Stalnaker, native of Newark, Ohio, serving with 1st Bn., 27th Inf. Regt. "Since my last deployment in 04 and 05, I've been able to see all the steps and it's been a total turn around. Being away for two years between my deployments and coming back to progression feels like something has been accomplished,"

With much still to do, the new security agreement provides a glimpse of hope in which Iraq will become a safe, secure and sovereign nation.

• Date Taken: 01.10.2009
• Date Posted: 01.10.2009 15:34
• Story ID: 28699
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ