Photo By Sgt. Terence Ewings | First Lieutenant Waleed Ramabhar, left, an intelligence officer assigned to the 3rd...... read more read more
CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE MAREZ, Iraq – Established in 2009, the Ninewa Combined Coordination Center is the organizational center for all missions, activities and operations conducted within combined security areas throughout the province.
Soldiers from 4th Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, partner with Iraqi army, Iraqi police and Kurdish security forces at the NCCC to oversee operations and provide security throughout the region.
“What we’re trying to do here is a pretty important part of the overall American effort – leaving behind a stable, peaceful Iraq,” said Lt. Col. Ted Stuart, commander of the NCCC.
In addition to advising and training Iraqi counterparts on how to enhance their security operations, Stuart and other U.S. soldiers act as neutral mediators and liaisons for the Iraqi and Kurdish forces.
“It’s a rewarding job,” said Stuart, a native of Fort Knox, Ky. “We work with the ISF 24 hours a day, and we’ve been able to see them grow and garner a better understanding of each other.”
Since deploying to Iraq last fall, 4th AAB soldiers worked to improve communication between Iraqi and Kurdish forces by conducting regularly scheduled meetings and briefings, which allow both forces to hear the other parties’ proposals.
U.S. forces still act as a neutral third party, but every day soldiers see encouraging changes between the two forces that will hopefully lead to cohesive operations independent of U.S. assistance, Stuart said.
Stuart said Iraqis and Kurds in the area have built significant mutual trust since the NCCC first opened.
“But by the time we got here, their relationships had changed and we noticed they were pretty close with one another,” said Stuart.
Currently, NCCC officials are working to ensure the Kurdish and Iraqi forces will be capable of sustaining security operations in Ninewa province after U.S. forces leave.
“We’re training and readying them to fill our shoes once we are gone,” said Maj. Joseph Lendo, deputy commander of the NCCC. “They sit in on all the daily meetings, and we mentor them on how to run the tactical operating center. They’re making good progress, and I believe they will continue to do so in the coming months.”
First Lt. Waleed Ramabhar, an intelligence officer assigned to 3rd Iraqi Army Division, witnessed the changes and effects of the NCCC since he started working there back in 2009.
“The relationship between the Iraqi and Kurdish forces is very strong and very good,” said Waleed, a native of Zakho, Iraq. “We are now capable of solving problems and making decisions faster than in the past. The teamwork and partnership between all the military forces here gives me confidence in our mission.”
| Date Taken: | 07.28.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 07.28.2011 02:39 |
| Story ID: | 74434 |
| Location: | CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE MAREZ, IQ |
| Web Views: | 79 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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