Marines put big plans in Iraqi hands

Photo By Lance Cpl. Jason Hernandez | Lt. Col. Kenneth R. Kassner (right), commanding officer of 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, discusses military operations with an Iraqi army brigadier general during a meeting with key leaders aboard Combat Outpost Nimur, Iraq, Aug. 2. Key leader engagements like this help U.S. forces provide advice and other support to Iraqi forces when requested.  

NINEWA PROVINCE, IRAQ

08.02.2009

Story by Lance Cpl. Jason Hernandez 

II Marine Expeditionary Force   

NINEWA PROVINCE, Iraq — U.S. Marine and Army officers operating in Ninewa province, Iraq, met with Iraqi military leaders to further improve coordination for counter-smuggling efforts in the area, Aug. 2, 2009.

"The meeting was designed to get all the [key leaders] together," said Capt. Chad C. Brooks, judge advocate for 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion. "[The Iraqi army brigadier general here] is one of our biggest allies in the area of operations. Being an honest and fair leader, he is a dominant and knowledgeable influence in the region."

Brooks added that 3rd LAR Bn. wishes to assist Iraqi forces as long as possible in order to keep the smugglers and any remaining insurgents off balance.

"We are further combining our operations with the Iraqi army," said Lt. Col. Kenneth R. Kassner, commanding officer of 3rd LAR Bn. "We have been conducting combined security operations with Iraqi security forces since our arrival in the area of operations.

"Even with our pulling out of the cities, we are still working closely with the IA and Iraqi border police in order to deny the enemy freedom of movement."

Smugglers have been known to transport weapons and other supplies across the Syrian border. To help keep those supplies out of insurgent hands, 3rd LAR Bn. has been training Iraqi forces to counter smuggling-related operations.

"We've found everything on smugglers from illegal cigarettes to night vision goggles," said Brooks. "We were concerned about the smuggling, and so was the IA, which is a positive development because we know that they're beginning to understand why we're conducting operations like this."

Both U.S. Army and Marine units operating in the area are also pushing to ensure that other operations, such as transporting and delivering food, continue to function effectively as well. This is to ensure that regional security and stability are firmly in place before U.S. forces withdraw from the area.

"Every day we're achieving a great many successes in this area of operations," said Kassner. "Not only by maintaining the security of the area, but through the professionalization of the Iraqi military and police services, and promoting civil development and civil affairs projects."

As the U.S. military becomes more transparent, Iraqi forces are beginning to find that their country's security is truly in their hands.

• Date Taken: 08.02.2009
• Date Posted: 09.12.2009 05:13
• Story ID: 38663
• Location: NINEWA PROVINCE, IQ