Uniting - Leads to a Self Sustaining City

Photo By Pfc. Kostandina Maxwell | "We need to work together," said assistant chairman of the Schwan City Council, Mr. Nurodean, in discussion about uniting the council at the Schwan Sub-district, Kirkuk province, Iraq, May 13. Nurodean discussed creating a security plan between the Iraqi police and the Kurdish Regional Guard Brigade to maintain stability when U.S. forces transfer to stability operations. The meeting was proposed by Bravo Battery, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division out of Fort Bliss, Texas, in light of a new strategy to unite the Iraqi people of Schwan.  

KIRKUK, IRAQ

05.24.2010

Story by Pfc. Kostandina Maxwell 

1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division

KIRKUK, Iraq -- Bravo Battery, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division out of Fort Bliss, Texas, attended the Schwan Sub-district City Council meeting, May 13.

During the meeting a new strategy was developed, according to Capt. Charles Roush, a Brentwood, Tenn., native and Bravo Battery commander.

The new strategy is to unite city councils, Iraqi Police and the Kurdish Regional Guard Brigade to stress the importance of cooperation within the city to provide security because of the U.S. transfer to stability operations, says Roush.

"Our biggest concern is new people coming into our city from other areas," Nurodean said. "We want to know what business they have here."

Some people that used to live in Schwan who were driven out by Saddam's Regime 20 years ago want to return, says council member Sitar Abdalrahman, we just need to know who the newcomers are.

"We need to create a database where we can track everyone who enters Schwan," said Nurodean, "A database that the city council, the IPs and RGB can access."

"We need to work together to maintain security because the Americans are leaving," Nurodean continued.

Ansar Al-Sunna, the largest Sunni insurgency group, announced they are kidnapping people and it's becoming very dangerous, Abdalrahman said.

"We have been communicating with the RGB on that matter," said IP Personnel Officer Capt. Salah. "If we hear anything new, we will pass that along."

"The meeting went great," said 1st Lt. Jeremy Lewis, a native of Shellman, Ga., and a platoon leader with 2/3rd FA Bravo Battery. "I think what we have brought up about uniting the council, IP, and the RGB is nothing new to them. All we are doing is formalizing it."

"It shows real progress when the city council, the IPs, and RGB can come together with all their different resources and form a security plan," said Capt. Roush. "Uniting city councils plus civil and military police will lead to a self-sustaining, self-policing and self-governing city with no need for [U.S. forces]."

• Date Taken: 05.24.2010
• Date Posted: 05.24.2010 09:51
• Story ID: 50168
• Location: KIRKUK, IQ