FORWARD OPERATING BASE DANGER, TIKRIT, Iraq -- While the Iraqi Transitional Government strives to complete the country's draft constitution, civilian leaders in North-Central Iraq are proving the axiom that all politics are local by coordinating election security, and planning or completing a variety of infrastructure ventures that benefit the Iraqi people. Projects in the pipeline include a number of water initiatives, new schools and new clinics. All of the gains continue in the shadow of the growing strength of Iraqi Security Forces.
Tikrit witnessed a watershed event in Operation Iraqi Freedom on August 14. The Commander of the Multinational Division, North Central Iraq and Task Force Liberty, Maj. Gen. Joseph J. Taluto, and Lt. Gen. Abdil Aziz Abdulrahman Almufti, Commander of the 4th Iraqi Army Division, transferred Forward Operation Base (FOB) Dagger to the control of the 4th Iraqi Army Division. The Iraqi 4th Division headquarters will oversee the administration and eventually the operations of its combat brigades throughout Salah Ad Din, Kirkuk and As Sulayminayah Provinces.
Breaking the Cycle of Violence
In the last two weeks, operations in the Task Force Liberty area resulted in 13 anti-Iraqi forces killed, 12 wounded, and an additional 333 detained. Significant ammunition seized included 464 rocket, mortar, artillery and tank rounds; 772 small arms weapons and grenades; 5,318 rounds of small arms ammunition; 331 anti-aircraft rounds; 274 mines; 24 rocket-propelled grenade launchers and 215 rocket-propelled grenade rounds; 75 pounds of explosives; 160 pounds of propellant; 147 assorted fuses; 54 smoke grenades and five flares,. Major equipment captured included two machine guns, two ballistic vests, 1 HOT-2 missile, and one artillery weapon system. Task Force Liberty operations seized 3,800,000 Iraqi dinar and $7,700 U.S. dollars. Within the division's area of responsibility, 81 improvised explosive devices were discovered prior to detonation, preventing the needless loss of life at the hands of anti-Iraqi Forces.
1st Brigade Combat Team (Raider). The 1st BCT, Iraqi Security Forces and local government worked together in early August to promote Iraq's upcoming referendum vote and permanent elections.
Soldiers of the Iraqi army handed out information on voter registration and the upcoming elections during a patrol August 9. A Tikrit local radio talk show hosted by Deputy Governor Abdullah August 14 encouraged Iraqis to register and vote and answer questions about the registration process and how it is done.
The manager of the Al-Riash water station rallied the local populace to hire bulldozers and equipment to fix a break on the main water line to Al-Sekor village at the beginning of the month. This water main supplies water to more than 10,000 residents. The Iraqi Ministry of Water in Tikrit helped people in Mukayshifa by cleaning out the city's main canal . Years of debris and algae along the canal had made the water unfit to drink, but now Iraqi residents from Wynott to Sumoon have cleaner water.
With the support of community sheiks, efforts to repair an abandoned water production facility in Tikrit began August 8. The water facility provides water to over 60,000 residents in the local community.
Iraqi police in Tikrit have been active helping 1st BCT Soldiers and curtailing illegal activities. Tikrit Police officers confiscated black-market fuel at an illegal fuel point in early August. In addition to disrupting the economy, these illegal fuel points are believed to be used by insurgents to mask the emplacement of improvised explosive devices. Following an insurgent sniper attack, Raider Brigade Soldiers requested the assistance of the Iraqi police in cordoning off a targeted area August 14. The police provided a strong overwatch while Task Force Liberty searched the neighborhood for their attacker.
Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 103rd Armor assisted in the training of 20 Iraqi police officers in early August. The training consisted of a classroom period of instruction followed by hands-on practical exercises.
3rd Brigade Combat Team (Sledgehammer). Governance discussions continued in the 3rd BCT's area of operations, along with efforts to ensure the elections are conducted smoothly and safely.
The Mayor of Hamrin, tribal leaders and 3rd BCT Soldiers met to discuss reconstruction issues such as the priority of current and potential civic projects. Following the successful election of Hamrin's first interim mayor, the meeting provided an excellent opportunity for the leadership of Hamrin to work together for the betterment of the city.
Soldiers from the brigade's 2nd Battalion, 34th Armor assessed the security of the polling site in Kan'an August 10. The officials of the polling site said voter registration is going very well and they feel very safe with the Iraqi army and the Iraqi police guarding the station, along with the increased patrols by Iraqi security forces. Village leaders continue to stress the importance of voter registration and participation in the political process to the public.
Iraqi police and 3rd BCT soldiers checked the status of polling sites in Muqdadiyah . The Muqdadiyah police have stationed themselves outside of key voter registration sites in their city.
Soldiers of the 3rd BCT checked the status of the Abu Sayda Water Project in early August. The $300,000 project will provide drinkable water to the citizens of Zurhayat and the Abu Sayda vicinity. Moreover, the project has provided members of the surrounding community employment as construction workers.
At the same time, 3rd BCT soldiers visited the Al Arabee School to inspect the completion of much-needed renovations. The project included renovating the walls and exterior, new porcelain and tiling in the bathrooms, along with better sinks and water fountains. The completion of the project signifies the improving conditions of Iraq's infrastructure through the support of educational facilities.
Iraqi army and 3rd BCT soldiers captured four insurgents, weapons and propaganda during a cordon and search mission in early August. During the same period Iraqi police discovered an IED inside two refrigerators. They secured the site and contacted the Iraqi army for its removal and destruction.
116th Brigade Combat Team (Warrior). The 116th Brigade Combat Team began August with its gaze firmly focused on the continuing support of Iraqis as they work to bring security, political stability and economic progress to the region.
Training of the Iraqi army during this time period included a Strategic Infrastructure Battalion Leader Training Course completed at Taji, graduating 90 students who will serve as instructors at the Iraqi army's K1 training base. Iraqi army unit training tasks include Combat Life Saver, staff skills, computer skills, and weapons marksmanship. Iraqi army training cadre continue to develop the Iraqi army's K1 facility into a major training center. In another positive development, the Iraqi army acquired hundreds of vehicles for provincial security enhancements this past week.
Iraqi police also marked progress the past two weeks. The Kirkuk Police automation officer has initiated a training program for Kirkuk Iraqi police logistics personnel to learn computer software products.
Iraqis are taking the lead in providing security for the region. An Iraqi explosives ordnance disposal team successfully defused an IED in the region, continuing their successful trend and partnership with Iraqi police to find and destroy these weapons. Combined patrols have met local leaders and force protection has increased at voter registration sites. An anonymous tip helped the Iraqi army recover unexploded ordnance in the area and the Iraqi army performed a successful search and discovered an IED in a local neighborhood.
Kirkuk continues to grow economically, as projects move forward and construction continues in the area. Current large projects include the Kirkuk landfill, water and sewer infrastructure, and construction and renovation of schools, clinics and other public facilities.
For the first time since February, the Kirkuk Provincial Council met with all political and ethnicities present. The council signed agreements to address trespassing and detainees taken out of the province. The U.S. Ambassador to Iraq made his first visit outside of Baghdad to congratulate the Kirkuk Provincial Council on their progress and to announce infrastructure support projects for the province.
Kirkuk Police established voter registration site security for all 25 sites in Kirkuk Province: 14 in Kirkuk and 11 in the outer provincial districts. Iraqi police are working with staff from the local joint coordination centers and the Independent Elections Committee-Iraq to monitor voter registration at each of the 25 voter registration sites.
Arab community leaders took a firm stand against terrorism by publishing a signed declaration in local newspapers. The Kirkuk Provincial Council has continued to hold regular press conferences after their meetings to highlight their successes.
278th Regimental Combat Team (The Volunteers). Civil-military operations, infrastructure, and security were the focus of the 278th Regimental Combat Team (RCT) and Iraqi security forces in early August.
The Iraqi army medical team from the Iraqi army's 3rd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 5th Division conducted a medical assessment of the small village of Arab Al Fahhem . The Iraqi soldiers also inspected the village's water project.
Iraqi soldiers and the Task Force Liberty Civil Affairs and the 278th Support Squadron Soldiers delivered hundreds of pounds of clothing, school supplies and personal hygiene items to Iraqi civilians August 10. Soldiers of the 1st Iraqi Army Battalion and the 445th Civil Affairs Battalion conducted security and project assessments in the village of Nefav Shay August 14 and handed out gifts to the citizens.
The mayors and police chiefs from the Balad Ruz District, soldiers of two Iraqi army battalions, 278th RCT soldiers and the Department of Border Enforcement met August 9 to discuss security issues for the upcoming October Iraqi constitutional referendum. The council meets each month to coordinate security efforts between the Iraqi army, Task Force Liberty, the Department of Border Enforcement and Iraqi police in eastern Diyala Province.
The Department of Border Enforcement hosted a meeting in Muntheria August 9 for the Deputy Minister of the Iraqi Police Affairs of the Diyala and Kirkuk Regions. The trip included meetings with the local government and a tour of the Khanaqin area in search for office space for an Iraqi police affairs office to be opened soon. The office will assist in managing police stations throughout the Diyala and Kirkuk regions.
42nd Aviation Brigade (Eagle). The 42nd Aviation Brigade have had another busy period supporting the brigade combat teams across North Central Iraq. Flying more than 1,800 hours these past two weeks, the brigade supported numerous operations in support of both the 116th and 1st BCTs; FOB area security missions; movement of the 101st (Air Assault) Division pre-deployment site survey, and Iranian border qualification.
Palehorse and Flying Tigers aircrews from the 1-17th Cavalry and 8-229th Attack Helicopter Battalion have been the tip of the spear for aviation missions, flying over 1,100 hours in reconnaissance and security missions, assisting with cordon and search, and escorting brigade and other assets to ensure their safety. In addition to assisting the BCTs with their specific operations, there are many routine tasks that the gun units perform. Many of these tasks include reconnaissance along roadways and in and around villages, keeping an eye out for suspicious activity and possible IED emplacement. This presence in the air and the ability to be anywhere on the battlefield in such a short time keeps insurgents guessing.
Vandals and Grizzly, the two UH-60 battalions from the 1-140th and 1-150th Aviation, flew over 700 hours this period, ensuring the Soldiers of the 42nd Infantry Division were transported across Task Force Liberty's area of operations. Highlights include Iranian border qualification for several crews of 1-150th and transporting soldiers (including the commanding general) of 101st Airborne (Air Assault) during their staff and leadership visit in anticipation of the upcoming relief-in-place with the 42nd Division.
Division Support Command (Muleskinner). Division Support Command (DISCOM) has been working diligently, supporting the 42nd Infantry Division and its Brigade Combat Teams. There is now a greater emphasis to support FOB closure, redeployment, and logistical support for Iraqi security forces, in addition to the normal sustainment that DISCOM conducts. Task Force Exodus has had an increased workload in Kuwait, cleaning and processing equipment and moving it to the port in preparation for its trip to the United States.
Task Force Exodus consists of DISCOM elements stationed in various camps in Kuwait, set up to receive and process equipment. Theater assets have begun moving the early retrograde equipment, almost 3,500 pieces, positioned at various consolidated tactical assembly areas. The mission has been going smoothly and thanks to the 1035th Maintenance Company, things are moving and getting approved for shipping. Capt. Morris and her staff have been tasked with the enormous job of cleaning and moving this equipment from Camp Victory to Kuwait Naval Base and then on to the port.
The 50th Main Support Battalion continues to travel great distances across the dangerous highways of Iraq. The Soldiers have shown great resilience and determination, encountering numerous IEDs on the past two weeks. During this period, DISCOM Soldiers traveled 950,620 miles, pushing supply convoys daily. Over the past two weeks, 175 convoys moved throughout Task Force Liberty's area of operations, 1,465 transportation movement requests were supported and another 875 aviation movement requests coordinated.
Conclusion
Task Force Liberty and our Iraqi security forces partners are providing a safe and secure Iraq. We are working with the Iraqi security forces to neutralize the insurgency. We are training, coaching and supporting the Iraqi security forces as they develop their own independent capabilities to defeat the insurgency and improve the quality of life for the Iraqi people. We believe in the future of Iraq. To our families, friends, employers and the American people, Task Force Liberty thanks you for your steadfast support and encouragement.
Never Forget!
For more information on the 42nd Infantry Division and Task Force Liberty:
www.42id.army.mil
| Date Taken: | 08.23.2005 |
| Date Posted: | 08.23.2005 12:07 |
| Story ID: | 2819 |
| Location: | TIKRIT, IQ |
| Web Views: | 307 |
| Downloads: | 43 |
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