Policy advisor visits advise and assist paratroopers

Photo By Sgt. William A. Brown | Soldiers from 1st Brigade, 1st Iraqi Army Division, demonstrate their proficiency in setting up and firing mortars as paratroopers of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division (Advise and Assist Brigade), observe at Camp Ali, Iraq, Jan. 9. The paratroopers have conducted partnered training with their Iraqi security force counterparts as part of their mission as an AAB. In September, as part of the responsible drawdown of U.S. forces from Iraq, the brigade of Paratroopers relieved two Marine Corps regimental combat teams ending the presence of Marine Corps RCTs in Al Anbar province that began in February 2004.  

RAMADI, IRAQ

01.09.2010

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Patrick Malone 

1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division Public Affairs

CAMP RAMADI, Iraq — The under secretary of defense for policy traveled to Ramadi, Iraq, to gain a better understanding of the developing partnership between advise and assist paratroopers and their Iraqi security force counterparts, Jan. 9.

Michèle Flournoy, the secretary of Defense's principal staff assistant and advisor on the formulation of national security and defense policy, was escorted by Col. Mark Stammer, commander of the 1st Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division (Advise and Assist Brigade), as she visited Camp Ali, the home of the 1st Brigade, 1st Iraqi Division.

Flournoy met with staff Brig. Gen. Adel, whose 1st Bde., 1st IA Div., soldiers often conduct partnered training with Paratroopers of 1/82's 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, commanded by Lt. Col. Trevor Bredenkamp.

When asked about maintaining security for the people of Al Anbar during the upcoming national elections, Adel said he is confident they can accomplish their shared goal of security and stability.

"We will stand shoulder to shoulder together, and will be on the front line with our soldiers," said Adel.

Stammer briefed Flournoy on the capabilities of his AAB, the army's first such unit to be fully mission-ready prior to deployment.

Along with the inherent abilities of a brigade combat team, 1/82 AAB also provides expertise in specialized partnership training, assisting in the growth of Iraq's civil and military institutions, and an attitude of "by, with and through the Iraqis," Stammer said.

"[The AAB is] really a key part of securing the stability we fought very hard for in Iraq, said Flournoy. "We are rooting for them and we're looking forward to all the good work they're going to do over the next several months."

In September, as part of the responsible drawdown of U.S. forces from Iraq, the brigade of paratroopers relieved two Marine Corps regimental combat teams ending the presence of Marine Corps RCTs in Al Anbar province that began in February 2004.

The brigade's deployment is expected to last one year.

• Date Taken: 01.09.2010
• Date Posted: 01.11.2010 03:22
• Story ID: 43648
• Location: RAMADI, IQ