Photo By Sgt. Scott Wolfe | Brig. Gen. Kareem, commander for the Ma'adin Iraqi police district, drives home the...... read more read more
Subscribe
By Staff Sgt. Scott Wolfe
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division
BAGHDAD – As the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles and Humvees pull into a compound in southern Baghdad, the signs of construction and improvement are evident. Cinderblocks and gravel are set aside where a new fuel point is to be laid in and lumber is stacked along one wall for future projects.
Entering the office of the Ma'adin Iraqi police district commander, Col. Pat White, commander of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, renewed his friendship with Iraqi Brig. Gen. Kareem the afternoon of Nov. 26, with a warm handshake, hearty hug and slap on the back.
White told Kareem about his move from Forward Operating Base Hammer to Camp Striker and how it was now harder to see his friend. He promised to continue meeting the general as often as possible, but it might be a week or two between visits now that his headquarters was farther away.
White also expressed his confidence in the capabilities of the police in Ma'adin. He brought up the possibility of creating a joint coordination center in the general's area of responsibility and asked for his thoughts on the matter.
The brigade commander emphasized that it might take a while to complete, but that with the security in the area continuing to improve, it could definitely take place.
Emphasizing a point that MND-B is pushing throughout all of its sectors, the commander of 2nd Bde., 1st Armd. Div., stressed that the objective now was the transition from a military authority to a civilian one, when the IPs would play a major role.
As the discussion moved into the goings on of the area and possible needs for future operations, the brigadier asked about the possibility of obtaining an up-armored Humvee.
The Ma'adin District commander said that he knew where some militias were hiding, but needed logistical support to perform the assault. He asked for a possible coalition cordon around the hideout, and that his men would do the actual raid...if he had some armored protection for the breaching of the compound.
The 2nd BCT commander turned to his military liaison attached to the IPs, and asked if the request had been passed further up the chain.
White said to make sure it had, as it showed the IPs wanting to be in the forefront of the operation cleaning out the militias in their district.
Kareem would not let the "Iron Brigade's" senior officer leave without showing him the newest improvements to the facility. He led White around, showing him the work already done on the compound's future fuel point and the improvements to perimeter. His smile clearly demonstrated his pride in his men and their facility.
At the end of the meeting, White reminded the Chief of his invitation to the Security Council and Thanksgiving feast on Nov. 27, reiterating his promise to visit the station as often as he could.
| Date Taken: | 12.02.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 12.02.2008 12:39 |
| Story ID: | 27093 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 113 |
| Downloads: | 104 |
This work, Iraqi police commander discusses concerns with brigade commander, by SGT Scott Wolfe, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
