Courtesy Photo | Spc. Michael Bower, Iraqi security force team, 1st brigade, 3rd infantry division,...... read more read more
Pfc. Joshua R. Ford
MNC-I PAO
TIKRIT, Iraq - Cooks, infantrymen, supply clerks and other Soldiers from 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division were all put into one unit at the beginning of their deployment to provide aid to the Iraqi government in Sal Ad Din Province.
These Soldiers are in harms way six days a week providing security for Iraqi government conferences and government elections
The unit is named the Iraqi Security Force Government Team, and they operate out of the Provincial Joint Coordinating Center in downtown Tikrit, Iraq.
"Our main mission is to get the Iraqi government rolling," said Sgt. Dominic R. Rangel, infantryman, ISF government team, 1st Bde., 3rdInf. Div.
This rag-tag group of nine Soldiers has been in country for 10 months now carrying out their mission.
Most of the time the team works with Iraqi government officials, said Maj. Christopher Dicicco, 1st Bde. civil military officer, ISF government team officer-in- charge, 3rd Inf. Bde.
"Soldiers have set up computers and Internet lines in the Iraqi Government's operation center for better communication," said Dicicco.
"There is a non-commissioned officer that sits in the operations center and teaches the Iraqi Government employees how to report to other branches of the government and how to track similar reports down," said Dicicco.
"Another part of our mission here is to help establish a way for coalition forces and the Iraqi security forces to work together," added Sgt. Evens Belot, supply sergeant, ISF government team, 1st Bde., 3rd Inf. Div.
The ISF security team mans checkpoints with Iraqi security forces during government conferences to ensure nobody that isn't on a V.I.P. list makes it inside the walls of the compound, added Belot.
"We show up on the day of a big conference or meeting and help things run a little bit smoother," Rangel added.
The team also provides humanitarian aid to the indigenous people of Tikrit.
"The team does a lot of work with the community. We get a lot of care packages from different organizations and charities back in the U.S. full of clothing, school supplies and personal hygiene products and what we'll do is distribute those items to the Tikrit community, primarily to kids at Tikrit's schools," said Rangel.
"It makes me feel good to help out kids and families in need," said Michael Bower, infantryman, ISF government team, 1st Bde., 3rd Inf. Div.
"Every now and then Iraqi sheiks will invite us over to their houses for a luncheon to discuss solutions for problems the Iraqi people are having for whatever reason," said Bower.
The team was required to help out a lot in Tikrit with the recent referendum elections on Oct. 15.
"We were at the PJCC for five days pulling security and making sure that the votes for the October referendum elections were tallied correctly," said Spc. Joshua Forman, infantryman, ISF government team, 1st Bde., 3rd Inf. Div.
"The faster the Iraqi people get a constitution the faster Coalition Forces get out of Iraq. We are helping with that process," added Bower.
"This mission is something the team has never trained for before and they are working with the Iraqis very well," Dicicco said. "These guys have to work very closely with the local nationals on a daily basis and I have seen that a lot of Americans can't do that. The team has a good attitude and the patience to get the job done."
| Date Taken: | 10.24.2005 |
| Date Posted: | 11.12.2005 14:07 |
| Story ID: | 3731 |
| Location: | TIKRIT, IQ |
| Web Views: | 166 |
| Downloads: | 44 |
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