By 1st Lt. Christopher Freeborg
1st Combined Arms Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment
HAWIJAH, Iraq – Company A, 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, recently completed the relief in place and transfer of authority with Company C, 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division.
Company A assumed the lead on operations surrounding Hawijah after conducting joint patrols with the outgoing unit
While a 14-day RIP/TOA may seem unusually long; the Soldiers realize there are two RIP/TOAs taking place at the same time — one with the two battalions and the other between coalition forces and the government of Iraq.
Capt. Larry Brown, Co. A commander, said he faces challenges unlike any he experienced on his first deployment to Iraq in 2004. Not only is Brown responsible for targeting, pursuing and eliminating insurgent activity in the area, but he will also seek ways to stimulate the local economy, advise city councils and oversee millions of dollars of Iraqi contracts.
Brown is working closely with Iraqi leaders such as town mayors, sheiks, contractors, Iraqi police leaders and Iraqi army officials to accomplish these tasks.
During the RIP/TOA process, Brown met many local key leaders by attending the grand opening of an IP station, having lunch with a local mayor and finishing off his day having dinner with an IA general.
Of course, it will take time to build up to the level of personal relationships forged by 1st Bn., 87th Inf. Cooperation between CF and Iraqi security forces successfully reduced violence in the area by approximately 90 percent over the last year.
The Alpha Company platoon leaders, 2nd Lt. Christopher Smith and 1st Lt. David Miller, said they are equally busy learning their area of operations. Initially, they observed patrols led by the outgoing unit's leadership and familiarized themselves with current tactics, techniques, and procedures used by 1st Bn., 87th Inf.
On every outgoing patrol, the platoon leaders became more involved in the planning process and more Alpha Company Soldiers participated. Nearing the end of the RIP/TOA process, patrols were almost entirely led by Alpha Company, with only a few key leaders remaining from 1st Bn., 87th Inf. to observe and advise.
Similar to Brown's wide scope of responsibilities, the platoon level is where all relationships with Iraqi leaders will start.
Taking the time to sit down with Iraqi leaders was something the 10th Mtn. Div.'s Soldiers executed very well, and the bond developed between CF and Iraqi leadership was essential to the reduction in violence over the last year, said Sgt. Glen Fadden, Co. A.
He said in his previous deployment, the focus was on the U.S. taking the lead to get terrorists off the streets and secure the area. That responsibility now lies mainly on the competent shoulders of the ISF.
"Now the emphasis is on meeting the local leaders, building up the Iraqi communities and showing the local populace that their government is capable of supporting them," said Fadden.
On a recent mission in Abassi, Smith met with a local city council member and the Civil Service Corps subcontractor to evaluate the progress of the newly Iraqi-funded program. The intent behind CSC is to teach Iraqis the necessary skills to find jobs for rebuilding the infrastructure of their communities.
Most students are motivated to get paid for learning; yet, ensuring full attendance has been very challenging. Smith said he was very pleased to see that 97 out of 105 students were present for training and he took the opportunity to speak with some of the students.
The students said they were very pleased with the curriculum, which includes carpentry, electrical engineering, plumbing, masonry and general management.
"I wish I could take those classes. They are really informative and it is on subjects that are useful in everyday life. It's easy to see how the CSC will improve the standard of living here," said Pvt. Daniel Gower, Co. A.
The Abassi CSC program looks very promising, said some of the students, who are eager to learn a new trade and contribute to rebuilding their neighborhood.
"They are all doing a great job, and the hard work will benefit their community greatly," said Smith.
For the stability of the region to continue to improve, the lines of communication between CF and Iraqi leaders must remain intact and working relationships must continue to flourish.
The Soldiers of 1st Bn., 87th Inf. showed that the fruits of hard work can be reaped if cultivated, and Co. A, 1-67 AR plans to do just that; continuing to build upon what has already been accomplished.