Poster bridges gap between Iraqi Army Soldiers and locals

Courtesy Photo | An Iraqi Sheik and Police official look over an Iraqi Army "most-wanted" poster on the streets of Ad Dwar, Iraq.  

AD DAWR, IRAQ

02.21.2006

Courtesy Story

133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Sgt 1st Class Walter E. van Ochten
133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

AD DAWR, Iraq (Feb. 21, 2006) -- With the sunrise burning brightly down on the marketplace of Ad Dawr, Iraqi soldiers walk down the streets and alleys hanging posters on the walls of the local shops. Local citizens gather around to see what they say and talk to the soldiers as they go about their duty.

American Soldiers of the 2nd Squadron, 9th U.S. Cavalry, attached to 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, gave the Iraqi soldiers the posters and leaflets to hang up and pass out.

"This mission is what I like to call a walk and talk. The [Iraqi army] gets to walk around town. It gets them involved and gets our message out at the same time," said Staff Sgt. Mark Williams, Psychological Operations Noncommissioned Officer for 2nd Squadron, 9th U.S. Cavalry.

According to Williams, this mission is twofold. One mission is distributing information on what he calls the "product," which are his leaflets and posters. On one set of leaflets is information detailing the impact of anti-Iraqi forces" improvised explosive devices on civilians. Another set of leaflets outlines the mission and how to contact the Joint Communications Center, the Iraqi version of the American 911 emergency system. The posters also highlight the area's most wanted.

The second message comes from interaction with the locals. "Most of the product we put out is just a way for the people to talk to us," said Williams. "So we can show them that we're human... [and] we in fact are here to help."

Williams provides mission product but it is up to the Iraqi army to get out and distribute them in Ad Dawr areas with high pedestrian traffic.

"What we realize is that the people want to see their guys doing the work. It's their country; it's their army now," said Williams. "Putting their face on the mission â?¦handing out product, [really is] just an avenue for them to come and talk. So we have the IA do it and the people come and talk to them."

This kind of mission is not something Iraqi soldiers are used to doing. In the past, the Iraqi Army did not understand that meeting and talking with the civilian population was vital to their success.

"Face to face interaction engagements are something that we have been training them to do," said Williams. "They say 'that's not what a soldiers does" â?¦.but it is now so they need to get used to doing it."

According to Williams, the people are more willing to help out their own guys. Through these interactions with the people, the IA can show that their soldiers have good intentions and are doing a good job. Once they see that, they will be more willing to report 'the bad dudes."

• Date Taken: 02.21.2006
• Date Posted: 02.21.2006 17:14
• Story ID: 5456
• Location: AD DAWR, IQ