Dragon Brigade commander addresses Kansas media

Photo By Sgt. Shantelle Campbell | Col. Henry A. Arnold, III, commander of the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division out of Fort Riley, Kan., talks with an Iraqi army officer and some U.S. Soldiers following a tour of the Bi'aj marketplace, Dec. 3.  

TIKRIT, IRAQ

12.06.2009

Story by Spc. Shantelle Campbell 

4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division

COB SPEICHER, Iraq — Col. Henry A. Arnold, III, commander of the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division discussed the "Dragon" brigade's mission in the Salah ad-Din province with Kansas based media during a video teleconference, Dec. 4.

Since assuming responsibility of the province Oct. 8, the brigade has focused operations on not just advising and assisting the Iraqi Security Forces but also enabling the Government of Iraq, improving the local economy and ensuring that all people have equal protection under the rule of law.

The brigade has a unique mission to Iraq, not only is the unit partnered at the brigade level with the 4th Iraqi Army Division and the provincial chief of police, but also the provincial governor and council as well as the U.S. State Department's Provincial Reconstruction Team.

Arnold attributes the successful partnerships that the brigade has built to the unit's pre-deployment preparations and the experience of his Soldiers.

"We spent 15 months training at Fort Riley and everything we did at Fort Riley was exactly what we needed to do to prepare for this deployment," said Arnold. "I have an extremely experienced force and officers and NCO's who understand the culture and environment."

Arnold also discussed the improved levels of security in the province resulting from local citizens taking action.

In September there was a prison break, where 16 prisoners escaped, 12 of the 16 were recovered by Iraqi Security Forces within two weeks, "every one of the 12 were apprehended due to tip offs from the local people, they reject violence," said Arnold.

"The Iraqi Security Forces are successful because the Iraqi people see improvements, and they feel secure," he continued.

With support from the populace, the Iraqi Security Forces continue to lead operations to "reduce violence from extremist elements," said Arnold.

"For every operation we conduct, the Iraqi Security Forces conduct 20-30 unilaterally, without any assistance from us," said Arnold. "My Soldiers live on 14 separate bases and command and control nodes throughout the province, 10 of these bases are guarded entirely by Iraqi Security Forces."

"We have won this war," concluded Arnold. "We are proud and honored to participate in this final stage, we are thankful for the support we receive from the Fort Riley community."

• Date Taken: 12.06.2009
• Date Posted: 12.06.2009 02:12
• Story ID: 42366
• Location: TIKRIT, IQ