U.S., Iraqi forces meet to discuss future

1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division
Story by Pfc. Jessica Luhrs-Stabile

Date: 08.09.2010
Posted: 08.20.2010 04:48
News ID: 54888
US, Iraqi Forces Meet to Discuss Future

The purpose of this meeting was to develop a concept for sharing information, which is vital to build and maintain security as U.S. forces continue to strategically withdraw from Iraq, said Capt. Brian Canny, the commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1/14th who also attended the meeting.

The 15th BDE Commander, Brig. Gen. Abdul Amir, who has been in command for three months, stated since becoming a commander he has made it his priority to bring all Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) together.

“The only way the ISF will be able to capture all of the insurgents and their weapons is if we all work together no matter the ethnic or religious group,” said the IA commander.

This is why Brig. Gen. Abdul and Lt. Col. Ulrich arranged to hold a meeting once a month for key leaders in both units to share information on insurgents.

In order to help open the lines of communication for the 15th IA BDE, the “Golden Dragons” are arranging for computers and internet for the command staff at the 15th IA BDE Headquarters.

“Having computers and internet at the 15th IA BDE headquarters will make communication between the ISF and USF easier,” said Ulrich, a native of Broomfield, Colo.

Abdul agreed saying the meetings and the computers will ensure everyone can work together.

“The U.S. forces have always been great partners with the Iraqi Army. With their help we will now be able to build a better relationship with the Iraqi police and other Iraqi army brigades,” he said.