Hammer Co. transitions to over-watch as government of Iraq conducts their first pay day

Courtesy Photo | A Sons of Iraq member counts his 354,000 Iraqi Dinar during payday operations, Nov. 11. Iraqi history was made in the Hor al Bosh area, Nov. 10, when the government of Iraq, which had previously assumed responsibility for the Sons of Iraq program from coalition forces, conducted its first payday activity. Previously, payday operations were conducted by the Soldiers of Company B "Hammer", 52nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team "Warrior," 25th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad.  

IRAQ

11.13.2008

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Brian Addis 

2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division

By Sgt. 1st Class Brian Addis and Spc. Curtis Riffel
2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division

JOINT SECURITY STATION HOR AL BASH, Iraq - The government of Iraq didn't let their Sons of Iraq members down as payday operations at Joint Security Station Hor al Bosh, northwest of Baghdad, kicked off, Nov. 10.

Another page in Iraqi history was written as the first of 343 payments of 354,000 Iraqi Dinar went to Sons of Iraq members in the Hor al Bosh area. Prior to the payday activity, coalition forces made equal payments of $300 to each SoI.

Soldiers from Company B "Hammer," 52nd Infantry attached to 2nd Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment "Strykehorse," 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team "Warrior," 25th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, were responsible overall for scrubbing rosters, drawing money and then paying it out.

The GoI agreed to take over the SoI program beginning Oct. 1. This week marks the first time the SoIs received payment from the government of Iraq.

Any concerns over getting paid were relieved when a successful mission to Baghdad returned to Hor al Bosh with two large bundles of the official Iraqi currency.

Iraqi Soldiers from 4th Battalion, 36th IA Brigade, led by Col. Jawad, their battalion commander, completed the payments.

"It is now my job, my mission, to ensure that the 2,485 ISF members in my area receive payments," Jawad said. "It has been a tiring process, but as you can see, the end result has been, thus far, very successful."

Capt. Darrell Tran, a native of Bridgeport, Conn., who serves as the commander for Hammer Co., 52nd Inf. Regt., partook in the past two days events.

"Payments have flowed smoothly and there have been very few hiccups," he said. "Today shows that the Iraqi army is capable of securing their own nation."

The SoI are largely responsible for the gains in security that have happened all across this young democratic nation. The willingness of the GoI to manage and pay this group may be a positive sign that security is here to stay.

• Date Taken: 11.13.2008
• Date Posted: 11.13.2008 14:21
• Story ID: 26296
• Location: IQ