Engaging local leaders, finding common ground

Photo By 1st Lt. Sophia Volz | Members of Sheik Ali al Manshed al Ghezi's household set the places for lunch. Members of the Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division had lunch with sheiks of the Al Ghezi tribe. The authentic Iraqi food consisted of lamb and rice, fruits, dates, fish, soups and bread. The 4th Special Troops Battalion is deployed from Fort Bliss, Texas.  

TALLIL, IRAQ

08.31.2009

Story by 1st Lt. Sophia Volz 

4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq — Fostering good working relationships with local Iraqi counterparts is an integral part of mission success. Just as Soldiers no longer go into the cities without Iraqi security forces partners, Contingency Operating Base Adder can no longer function efficiently without engaging local Iraqi sheiks and key leaders.

This particularly holds true for COB Adder's garrison command, manned by 4th Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division and spearheaded by its commander, Lt. Col. Alan Shumate, of Fayetteville, N.C.

Recognizing the need to find common ground and a good working relationship with U.S. forces, Sheik Ali al Manshed of the Al Ghezy tribe met with Shumate recently to discuss matters important to both.

"We would wish only that we can be friends," explained Ali.

Shumate and Soldiers of 4th STB also visited Ali's house for lunch with sheikhs from the Al Ghezy tribe. For many of the Soldiers, it was their first time eating authentic Iraqi food, which included kebabs, a lamb and rice dish called "uzi," Iraqi flatbreads, fish, fruits and dates.

Shumate also met with Ali's brother, Sheik Tayseer Mohammed al Manshed, to discuss matters important to both. During the several hours they spent together, Shumate and Tayseer dealt with issues including base security and water delivery. They dealt not only with business, but also found time to discuss their families with Shumate proudly showing pictures of his two sons.

"Engaging these local sheiks is important," said Shumate. "Without engaging such important leaders, base security and operations cannot be assured and the mission of the brigade combat team to assist in building a sustainable Iraq in 4/1 AD's area of responsibility cannot be achieved."

• Date Taken: 08.31.2009
• Date Posted: 08.31.2009 09:01
• Story ID: 38161
• Location: TALLIL, IQ