Spc. Matthew McLaughlin
10th Mountain Division PAO
FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAWK, Iraq -- When Coalition Forces were faced with having to help Iraq rebuild its Army, they knew they needed someone who would walk down the most dangerous street in Baghdad without fear; someone who would ignore religious differences for the greater good; someone who once told Saddam Hussein where to go.
They needed a leader and found an outspoken warrior.
Col. Mohammad Faik Rauf al-Samarai, 2nd Battalion, 1st Iraqi Army Brigade commander, is a stark contrast to the image of a ruthless Iraqi Army commander. Known to all as "Colonel Mohammad," his graying hair and wrinkles around his eyes and mouth from years of laughter mask a hardened warrior's heart.
He has experienced both national and personal struggles yet manages to laugh in the face of strife.
Mohammad served as an air defense officer in Hussein's regime. He boasted that he excelled beyond officers who outranked him and was a valued asset to the Army. He received 14 medals from Saddam, awards he now gives as gifts to American allies.
As proud as he is of his accomplishments, he spoke with equal pride of his imprisonment after an alleged argument with Hussein, the tyrant known for executing dissenters.
"I told Saddam I don't care about him, I care about God," Mohammad recalled of the comment that sent him away for eight months and 11 days, a number Mohammad kept track of by marking every day on the wall of his cell in between beatings from the prison guards.
"Every day they beat me," he said as if reading the memories from a book, apparently devoid of hatred.
Eventually, Hussein released Mohammad and reinstated him as an officer. Mohammad no longer wished to serve in the Army.
"I told Saddam I need to quit. I told him that I've gone crazy and I can't work. He said if I can't work I'll go back to jail. I said "Okay, I'll go back to work,"" Mohammad said and laughed.
After Coalition Forces defeated Hussein's Army, Mohammad joined the Iraqi National Guard. He joined as a captain for operations and in less than a year worked his way to colonel. After several unsuccessful battalion commanders, Mohammad became commander of the 303rd ING, now known as the 2-1 IA.
Under Mohammad's leadership, the 2-1 IA flourished, said Staff Sgt. Kiplangat D. Marisin, an IA advisor from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division.
"He is the type of leader they needed to get things done," the South Bend, Ind. native said. "He's compassionate to the Iraqi people, but if you're bad â?¦"
A major contribution to Mohammad's success was his personal selection of 2-1 IA leadership. Mohammad, a Sunni Muslim, is in charge of an overwhelmingly Shia battalion. He ignored religious and political affiliations and selected officers and non-commissioned officers for promotion based on performance, said Capt. Christopher G. Johnson, a 2-1 IA advisor from Kent, Ohio.
"He operates no differently with Sunnis, Shias and Christians," he said. "They are all Soldiers first."
Mohammad and his 2-1 IA Soldiers faced a major challenge in February when they assumed responsibility over part of Haifa Street, a notoriously dangerous road in Baghdad. Violent hostilities towards Coalition Forces earned the street the title "Death Street" to media outlets.
"It was hell," Mohammad said. "No one could open shops, no one could leave their house, no one could go to school. Many people were killed."
Mohammad combated the terrorists by saturating the streets with dismounted Soldiers and working with the community to uncover terrorist operations. After several weeks of intense fighting, 2-1 IA significantly reduced terrorist activities.
"When my 303rd (Soldiers) go to Haifa Street, they take care of the problem," Mohammad boasted. "They captured many terrorists and worked very hard. They cleaned the roads, cleaned up the trash and helped people."
Mohammad led the pack of motivated Soldiers on the front lines. He gained respect from U.S. and Iraqi Soldiers by leading from the front and willingly putting himself in danger's way. Mohammad made his presence felt to Haifa Street, residents, introducing himself to everyone he could, said Capt. Mike Campbell, an IA advisor from Celina, Tenn.
"Mohammad will walk the streets and talk to people," he said. "Someone will wave at him and he will go and talk to them. Twenty feet later he's talking to someone else."
His willingness to face danger as well as his loyalty to his troops is matched by the Soldiers" loyalty to Mohammad and their fearlessness in battle.
His Soldiers don't run from a fight and their courage is a reflection of their leader, said Lt. Col. Mark Kneram, officer in charge of 2nd BCT advisors.
"They respond to the fact he leads from the front," said the New Castle, Penn., native. "He cares about his Soldiers and they know that."
Mohammad's success and high profile has come at a price, however. He is under constant threat from terrorist attacks, claiming he's escaped 42 assassination attempts. He joked that if cats have nine lives, he must have at least 43.
His family is also subjected to attacks. His cousin was reportedly kidnapped by terrorists and Mohammad had to restrain himself from retaliation. Even his mother was attacked and threatened. His wife and children must take tremendous precautions to ensure their safety.
"It is hard for them," he said. "We continue with our lives. It is worth it if it gives my son a future, En shaa Allah (God willing)."
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| Date Taken: | 04.18.2005 |
| Date Posted: | 04.18.2005 10:27 |
| Story ID: | 1620 |
| Location: | ABU GHRAIB, IQ |
| Web Views: | 99 |
| Downloads: | 11 |
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