KIRKUK, Iraq -- Lt. Col. Andrew Ulrich, commander of 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry, “Golden Dragons” 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division met with the commander for the 15th Brigade, 12th Division Iraqi army, for the first time, at the 15th BDE Headquarters, in Kirkuk, Iraq, Aug. 9.
The purpose of this meeting was to develop a concept for sharing information, which is vital to build and maintain security as U.S. forces continue to strategically withdraw from Iraq, according to Capt. Brian Canny, the commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1/14th who also attended the meeting.
The 15th BDE Commander, Brig. Gen. Abdul Amir, who has been in command for three months, stated since becoming a commander he has made it his priority to bring all Iraqi security forces together.
The only way the ISF will be able to capture all of the insurgents and their weapons is if we all work together no matter the ethnic or religious group, said the IA commander.
This is why Abdul and Ulrich are arranging to hold a meeting once a month for key leaders to share information on insurgents.
Also to open the lines of communication for the 15th IA BDE, their partners the “Golden Dragons” are arranging for computers and internet for the command staff at the 15th IA BDE Headquarters.
“Having computers and internet at the 15th IA BDE headquarters will make communication between the ISF and USF easier,” said Ulrich, a native of Broomfield, Colo.
Abdul agreed with his partner saying this will ensure everyone can work together.
“The U.S. forces have always been great partners with the Iraqi army with their help we will now be able to build a better relationship with the Iraqi police and other Iraqi army brigades,” he said.