Photo By Capt. Meghan E. Keefe | Capt. Matthew Wagoner and Capt. John Davis meet with the 4th Iraqi Army Field Engineer...... read more read more
SALAH AD DIN, Iraq — Despite talk of early reduction of U.S. forces in Iraq, Commanders of Joint Task Force Eagle continue to foster their partnership with the Iraqi army field engineers.
The Iraqi federal police and Iraqi army units have been operating independently since Jun. 30 as U.S. and Iraqi coalition forces have become less prevalent in cities and towns. In support of this transition of responsibility, Lt. Col. Paul Huszar, commander of the 37th Engineer Battalion Joint Task Force Eagle, based out of Fort Bragg, N.C., strongly encourages partnership between the JTF and their IA counterparts.
Capt. John Davis, commander of the 50th Multi-Role Bridge Company and a Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., native, recently sat down with the 4th IA Field Engineer Regiment commander, Lt. Col. Hameed to discuss the Mabey Johnson Float Bridge mission they will be conducting this August with the 5th IA FER. Davis and Hameed finalized plans. Davis relied on his interpreter, Iraqi born Sgt. Omar Norreaga, to facilitate the conversation.
The bridge, which will cross the Tigris River, will drastically improve the freedom of movement for both the Iraqi army and coalition forces.
As Davis finalized plans for this and future bridge missions, A Co. Commander Capt. Matthew Wagoner from Clarksville Tenn., offered additional support to Hameed. Wagoner's company conducts route clearance and has the ability to augment 4th IA FER route clearance operations.
A U.S. route clearance platoon generally consists of 28 to 30 combat engineers and six armored vehicles. The IA Engineers have roughly 12 Soldiers and two vehicles per platoon. Hameed strongly considered Wagoner's offer for support which would assist in safe maneuver for IA route clearance platoons.
Lunch was served and the commanders discussed differences and similarities between Iraqi and American culture. During tea, they joked about the most recent visit of the American actress Angelina Jolie to Iraq. Hameed enjoys Jolie's movies and wished she had made her trip further north. The JTF Eagle commanders agreed.
Davis and Wagoner shook hands with Hameed as they gave their thanks for his hospitality. Knowing they have the capabilities, commanders want to contribute to the momentum driving the IA to operate freely and conduct successful operations in Iraq.
Until the day JTF Eagle Soldiers leave Iraq, Combat Engineers will continue to support the missions of their Iraqi counterparts.
| Date Taken: | 08.17.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 08.18.2009 03:12 |
| Story ID: | 37616 |
| Location: | SALAH AD DIN, IQ |
| Web Views: | 302 |
| Downloads: | 260 |
This work, Future Partnership Projects to Improve Civil Capacity in Northern Iraq, by CPT Meghan E. Keefe, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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