Security agreement advances Emergency Response Brigade mission

News: Security agreement advances Emergency Response Brigade mission

Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force - Arabian Peninsula

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Story by Sgt. Jeff Ledesma Follow This Journalist

Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael D. Blackwell

An Emergency Response Brigade policeman pulls security during an early-morning operation.

BAGHDAD — In the 1990s, the Iraqi television screens were plastered with poverty. According to the commander of the Emergency Response Brigade Staff Brig. Gen. No'aman Jewad, children were dying of starvation and, with frequent famines, whole families would go to sleep without food.

However, the blood of more than 13,000 American and Iraqi military forces has been spent over the past couple of years in an effort to bring the idea of democracy to the Iraqi people in hopes of a better Iraq. It's true that Iraq has paid an insurmountable price, No'aman said, and although democracy is a relatively new concept for this country, Iraq has passed the difficult initial stage of building their democratic nation.

Despite the changes implemented by the U.S. and Iraqi security agreement, the counter-terrorism unit of elite Iraqi police continues to stand proactive against Iraq's insurgent groups.

"The Emergency Response Brigade had a very small change in their operations," No'aman said about his brigade after, June 30. The type and frequency of missions are the same and have continued without issues.

The commander admitted that prior to the Security Agreement's highly-publicized milestone the operational approval process was simpler.

"After the thirtieth," No'aman explained. "There was a new system in place." Not only did they have to obtain permission from the Ministry of Interior, they now had to obtain notification from the Iraqi operational coordination group," he continued.

Besides the new approval process for combat operations, there have been a few basic changes on the ground level. "When we were walking the streets, [Americans] would be leading us before and now it's the Iraqi vehicles that are leading," said No'aman.

Since U.S. troops withdrew from Iraqi cities, the Emergency Response Brigade has been focusing on areas where American forces once engaged. No'aman said that the last thing he wants is for special groups to reemerge in these unoccupied pockets throughout Iraq.

"These areas will need continuous missions," claimed No'aman. Although the areas of focus have been altered by the current guidelines surrounding the placement of American forces, the unit's objective has remained constant since the beginning - metaphorically cemented in stone the day they were formed.

"Our main mission is to get rid of terrorists from north to south to east to west without any discrimination," No'aman described. "It doesn't matter what religion, what sects, what ethnicity he is - a terrorist is a terrorist."

Although a criminal is a criminal, the brigade's leadership enforces the ideology of treating everyone — even insurgents — with a sense of dignity and civility. "I respect his family, I respect their human rights and my brigade treats them with total professionalism," the general declared. "I don't accept mistakes."

The brigade, which is comprised of six battalions, has had little to no time to slow down. No'aman said the brigade's work load is continuous.

"Sometimes they don't even have time to just sit and rest," he claimed. Nonetheless, the elite police force has harvested many successes from hard work.

According to No'aman, the element of success in each mission is different, the greatest successes can be found when you look at the larger picture. He noted the unit's quality leadership, the rigorous training events, the logistical structure, and the brigade's dedication to challenge any form of sectarianism and racism within their ranks as true successes.

"The most important thing is the good relationship we have with our friends, the Americans," No'aman added. "They have had a hand in making all these successes a reality."

No'aman spoke with a sense of patriotism and pride as he discussed the history of his brigade.

"We support the government and as an officer it is my duty to do so," No'aman explained. He also said that he trusts the Iraqi government to make the best possible decisions for the country.

"People are feeling now that it is secure and stable. They no longer have that fear that they had before," No'aman said. "Now it's a civilian life and we have good relations with people all over the world, especially with the United States."

Obviously, he continued, everyone wants their country to feel safe and stable and this is something that any regular person desires no matter what country he or she calls home.

"My wish is bigger than this," No'aman clarified. "I want the Iraqi person to understand what democracy and freedom means and I want to see them apply and implement it. We want our country to be successful. I want Iraq to make advancements in its agriculture, industry, education, and every field."

According to the commanding officer, even though he wants the country to continue its path of progress, many improvements have already taken place.

"Now children are happy. Life has truly changed," No'aman said. "This is the truth that the American people should know about the people here."