2-4 Iraqi Army extends Civil Military Operations to include training fellow Soldiers

Photo By Staff Sgt. Margaret Nelson | Air Force Cpt. Todd McGraw with the K-1 Coalition Army Advisory Training Team gives an Iraqi boy some candy during an Iraqi army-driven Civil Military Operation in Kirkuk, Iraq, held Feb. 12 and 13. The CAATT team, comprised of Army, Air Force and Navy members, was invited by their Iraqi counterparts.  

KIRKUK, IRAQ

02.16.2008

Story by Staff Sgt. Margaret Nelson 

115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Story and Photos by Staff Sgt. Margaret C. Nelson, 115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

KIRKUK, Iraq – The 2nd Brigade, 4th Iraq Army Division's Civil Affairs Office extended its reach recently to include educating and training their fellow soldiers in Civil Military Operations during two village visits, Feb. 12 and 13, in the Kirkuk province of northeastern Iraq.

From the planning and execution, to instructing the infantry soldiers on proper etiquette, Maj. Zyad Junade Omar, 2nd Brigade, 4th Iraq Army Division's Civil Affairs officer told the IA Soldiers of K-1's Garrison Support Unit and its Regional Training Center, that they were putting a new face on today's Iraqi soldier and its army. "You are showing your fellow Iraqis that you are representative of an army that is here to help and protect them," Zyad said.

Both commanders, Brig. Gen. Younis Mohammad Younis al Zabari, GSU, and Brig. Gen. Basil Mohamed Ishmael, RTC, attended both days. The GSU and RTC are co-located with the 2-4 IA in Kirkuk at the K-1 base. The GSU commander is the landowner-in-charge of the base's life support needs and supplies, to include the medical clinic. The RTC is its training facility for IA recruits in the northeast. "With security increasing here overall, we now have to focus on the welfare of its people," Younis said.

He explained the importance of showing the Iraqi people that Soldiers are here to protect and defend them. "This is a way to develop trust, and increase security for all," he said. The villages selected are in close proximity to K-1. "By knowing our neighbors and assisting them, we are forming good neighbor relations," Zyad said. "Everybody benefits."

"This is a great day for the Iraqi army," Coalition Army Advisory Training Team's senior advisor Lt. Col. John Olson told the IA soldiers. "You are showing the Iraqi people and the children of Iraq, all that is good in its army."

The CAATT team who mans, equips and trains the Iraqi army at K-1, were invited to attend by the IA, "to show the close partnership that U.S. and Iraqi security forces enjoy to the Iraqi people," Zyad said. "This is probably the first time the villagers have a chance to see and speak to both IA and U.S. Soldiers. It is my hope that they see them as brothers," he said.

Security was visibly enforced by both the IA and CF, but the Soldiers of both armies relieved each other so that each had the opportunity to mingle with the villagers. The children and young adults were the most curious about the coalition soldiers; inquiring about their names and families. They also practiced what little English they knew, mimicking the Soldier's responses.

The commanders met with the village muktars (elected mayors), tribal and religious leaders, and discussed issues and events unique to each village. Younis offered emergency medical transportation and emergency treatment at the K-1 facilities to both, in addition to bringing blankets and kerosene heaters to the most in need selected by the villages' leadership. The CAATT Soldiers also brought school supplies donated by their churches, friends and family.

"This is a united effort. Both armies working together to build positive relationships between themselves and with Kirkuk's people and their children," Basil said.

• Date Taken: 02.16.2008
• Date Posted: 02.16.2008 09:08
• Story ID: 16415
• Location: KIRKUK, IQ