By Sgt. 1st Class Christina Bhatti
2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division
CAMP TAJI, Iraq – For the last time during the Warrior's deployment, logistics leaders from the Iraqi army and coalition forces came together to discuss achievements, important issues and problems within the logistic community at Camp Taji, northwest of Baghdad, Jan. 24.
The meeting was the sixth in which the Iraqi army commanders of the 34th, 35th, 36th and 37th Logistics Battalions of the 9th IA Division, along with logistics officers from the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team "Warrior," 25th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, and logistics officers from MND-B got together to solve important issues.
"This is important because we get to share our achievements and come up with solutions to our problems," said Col. Kareem , commander, 34th Logistics Battalion, 9th IA Div.
Getting the commanders together for regular meetings was not easy.
"When we first arrived, these commanders didn't talk to each other," said Capt. Bryan Williams, a native of Redland, Calif., and commander Company A, 225th Brigade Support Battalion "Mongoose," 2nd SBCT. "They said they didn't see the value in it."
Now as time has passed, Williams said the commanders are excited about the meeting and now host them with little help from the Mongoose battalion.
"They are no longer feeding off the Americans," Williams said, in speaking about the IA commander's knowledge and capabilities to host an official function.
Sadi said the meetings provide a valuable exchange of information, which is a relationship they didn't have before.
"Even though they didn't have much communication, they always find a way to provide for their Soldiers," Williams said. "Not one time did I see them not be able to accomplish the task."
Williams said he hopes these meeting will provide an avenue for the IA battalions to better be able to get supplies out to the soldiers.
The meeting provided each logistic battalion commander with a turn to highlight all they have done and all they hope to do in front of their peers and logistics officers. During the Warrior tenure, they helped train logistics soldiers in tasks such as maintenance, field feeding and supply systems
"I hope this will continue into the future," Kareem said. "This will help us get better at getting what we need."