Sons of Iraq registration kicks off in Diyala

Photo By Master Sgt. Opal Vaughn | Col. Burt Thompson, brigade commander, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, speaks with local Iraqi nationals, now registered members of the Sons of Iraq, about the importance of registration while at Forward Operating Base Gabe, located in Diyala, Iraq, Dec. 4.  

DIYALA PROVINCE, IRAQ

12.06.2008

Story by Spc. Opal Vaughn  

14th Public Affairs Detachment

By Spc. Opal Vaughn
14th Public Affairs Detachment

DIYALA, Iraq – Local Iraqi nationals lined up and waited for hours to become registered members of the Sons of Iraq while at a registration station at Forward Operating Base Gabe, located in Diyala, Iraq, Dec. 4.

More than 300 local Iraqi nationals showed up for the registration, which was put together by coalition forces and the Iraqi army.

"It's been a great turn out," said Col. Burt Thompson, brigade commander, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division. "And it's really good to see both U.S. forces and the Iraqi army working together as a joint force to ensure the registration of as many local Iraqi nationals to become registered members of the Sons of Iraq."

Not too long after the registration commenced, local Iraqi nationals began to flood the registration site wanting to register themselves as SoI members.

"I think it's great," said Maj. Erick Salisbury, 18-5 Brigade Military Transition Team chief at FOB Gabe. "We're definitely on the road toward transferring the SoI over to the Iraqi army."

The SoI registration is part of the new plans implemented by coalition force leaders Brig. Gen. James Boozer, Brig. Gen. James Nixon and Col. Burt Thompson, along with Staff Lt. Gen. Abdul Kareem Khalaf and 5th Iraqi Army Division deputy commander Brig. Gen. Bayaz Ahmed Ramaden, which they spoke about at a pre-registration rehearsal and meeting held on Nov. 26.

• Date Taken: 12.06.2008
• Date Posted: 12.06.2008 15:58
• Story ID: 27273
• Location: DIYALA PROVINCE, IQ