Government of Iraq completes payday for Saab al Bour Sons of Iraq

Courtesy Photo | Sons of Iraq (Abna al-Iraq) workers wait for verification of their identities by members of the Iraqi army before they receive their monthly pay at Joint Security Station Saab al Bour, northwest of Baghdad, Dec. 22. The Iraqi army's 2nd Battalion, 53rd Iraqi Army Brigade, partnered with Troop B "Bountyhunter," 2nd Squadron, 14th Cavalry "Strykehorse," 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team "Warrior," 25th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, to conduct the second month of payday operations in Saab al Bour. Approximately 2,900 SoI workers received 354,00 Iraqi Dinar, or $300, for the month of October.  

IRAQ

12.28.2008

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Brian Addis 

2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division

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

SAAB AL BOUR, Iraq – The government of Iraq concluded its second round of Sons of Iraq (Abna al-Iraq) payday operations in Saab al Bour, northwest of Baghdad, Dec. 22.

Continuing a trend that began last month when the GoI officially took control of the SoI guards, they conducted the second successful pay period, further solidifying the fact that they are able to operate independently.

The seven-day event began Dec. 16. Iraqi army soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 53rd Iraqi Army Brigade, partnered with their Multi-National Division – Baghdad counterparts from Troop B "Bountyhunter," 2nd Squadron 14th Cavalry Regiment, "Strykehorse," 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team "Warrior," 25th Infantry Division, to provide security and over watch for the payday activities.

By the end of the pay period, approximately 2,900 SoI guards each received 354,000 Iraqi Dinar, which is the equivalent to $300.

"There continues to be an impressive display of professionalism from the [Iraqi security forces]," said Capt. Dan Digati, a native of Medford, Ore., and Bountyhunter Troop commander. "The planning phase of this event is very detailed, and the actual operation itself is very thorough."

Bountyhunter Troop continues to play a role in the payday operations, although the role has become less substantial. No longer are MND-B Soldiers paying the SoI guards; they now provide security, overwatch and participate in the planning process with members of the ISF.

Planning happens at Joint Security Station Saab al Bour, which houses a Joint Coordination Center. Planning involves members of the IA, Iraqi police, SoI, Military Transition Team and Bountyhunter Troop Soldiers.

"We sit and discuss in great detail who picks up the money, where the tables will be placed inside the Vocational Center and where security is going to be placed," said Staff Sgt. Conrad Vasquez, a native of Kalihi, Hawaii, and the JCC non-commissioned officer-in-charge, assigned to Bountyhunter. "The IA leadership used lessons learned from last month's pay day and adjusted accordingly. There isn't an aspect of the operation that I am not impressed with."

The SoI are a key component of this resurrection, said Digati. Their presence is a key reason crime and other heinous acts against humanity have been on a steady decline since their implementation in September 2007.

• Date Taken: 12.28.2008
• Date Posted: 12.28.2008 00:57
• Story ID: 28199
• Location: IQ