Incoming 403rd CA Bn. Meets with Kurdish president

Courtesy Photo | Kurdish President Barzani greets a U.S. Soldier form the 403rd Civil Affairs Battalion at his compound during a recent visit for the Soldiers to get acquainted and discuss the achievements over the past year as well as future projects in the region.  

IRBIL, IRAQ

05.04.2006

Courtesy Story

138th Public Affairs Detachment

IRBIL, Iraq - Soldiers from the outgoing 401st Civil Affairs Battalion and the recently arrived 403rd CA Bn. met with Kurdish regional President Barzani to get acquainted and discuss the achievements over the past year as well as future projects in the region .

The meeting was held in the President's mountain offices near the city of Irbil. Formal greetings were exchanged and the outgoing commander, Col. Harry Pecotte, turned the floor over to Maj. Calvin Robinson, the 401st CA Bn., team leader, civil affairs team A, based out of Dahuk.

Maj. Calvin Robinson introduced his team and also expressed his heartfelt thanks for the warm welcome and treatment his personnel had received throughout their one year tour.

President Barzani thanked everyone for their hard efforts and expressed his pride in the fact that no coalition forces have died within the area of Kurdistan, not even in a traffic accident.

He continued to highlight the Kurdish achievements to include road development, sewer and sanitary projects, water pumping stations, as well as health and education construction. Many of these projects were enabled through the efforts of the 401st Civil Affairs, and the President acknowledged and thanked the team for their coordination.

Lt. Col. Michael Mishoe, commander, 403rd CA Bn., was then introduced and turned the table over to Maj. Jack Lemedico, incoming 403rd CA Bn., team leader, civil affairs team A, who introduced the individuals from his team and expressed his wishes for continued cooperation between both parties.

The President welcomed the new team and hoped they found his region as enjoyable as their predecessors.

The meeting closed with the president expressing his hope that the returning Soldiers be a spokesperson for the positive improvements being made in Kurdistan. He asked them all to show pictures and tell stories to all who would listen so that they may see how the Kurds work to improve their region.

• Date Taken: 05.04.2006
• Date Posted: 05.04.2006 10:16
• Story ID: 6263
• Location: IRBIL, IQ