From Port Security to Global Vigilance: Coast Guard's Post-9/11 Mission

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) has a long history of serving not only within the nation's borders but also beyond its shores. While its primary mission has always been to protect and secure America's maritime interests domestically, the Coast Guard's role expanded significantly in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. These attacks prompted the U.S. military, including the Coast Guard, to adopt a more proactive and global approach to counterterrorism.

Following 9/11, the Coast Guard became increasingly involved in overseas missions aimed at enhancing maritime security and combating terrorism on a global scale. These missions took the Coast Guard far beyond its traditional areas of operation and required collaboration with international partners and allied nations. The Coast Guard's overseas deployments have been multifaceted, encompassing various activities such as capacity building, training, joint exercises, and operational support.

One significant aspect of the Coast Guard's overseas missions has been its participation in international training and capacity-building programs. In the years since 9/11, the Coast Guard has worked closely with partner nations around the world to enhance their maritime security capabilities and improve their ability to combat terrorism and transnational crime. This has involved providing training and technical assistance to foreign maritime law enforcement agencies, coast guards, and navies, helping them develop the skills and expertise needed to secure their maritime borders and respond effectively to security threats.

Moreover, the Coast Guard has played a crucial role in supporting U.S. military operations overseas, particularly in regions where maritime security is a priority. Coast Guard units have been deployed to various theaters of operation, including the Middle East, the Horn of Africa, and Southeast Asia, to provide maritime security support, conduct port assessments, and assist in counterterrorism efforts. In these roles, Coast Guard personnel have worked alongside their counterparts from other branches of the U.S. military, as well as with partner nations, to safeguard critical maritime infrastructure, prevent the illicit movement of goods and people, and disrupt terrorist networks operating at sea.

Additionally, the Coast Guard has been actively involved in international maritime security operations aimed at combating piracy, smuggling, and other illicit activities in key maritime transit routes and chokepoints. Coast Guard cutters and aircraft have conducted patrols and surveillance operations in strategic areas such as the Gulf of Aden, the Strait of Hormuz, and the Caribbean Sea, helping to deter criminal actors and maintain maritime stability. These efforts have been conducted in coordination with multinational task forces, naval coalitions, and international organizations such as the United Nations and the International Maritime Organization.

Furthermore, the Coast Guard has played a vital role in supporting U.S. diplomatic and foreign policy objectives through its overseas engagements. Coast Guard vessels and personnel have participated in various joint exercises, port visits, and goodwill missions, promoting cooperation, fostering relationships, and building trust with foreign governments and maritime stakeholders. These engagements have served to strengthen alliances, enhance regional stability, and advance U.S. interests in key strategic areas around the world.

In summary, the United States Coast Guard's overseas missions have become an integral part of its post-9/11 operational paradigm, reflecting the increasingly global nature of maritime security threats and the need for a coordinated, multinational response. By leveraging its unique capabilities and expertise, the Coast Guard has made significant contributions to international efforts to combat terrorism, secure maritime borders, and promote stability and prosperity in regions of strategic importance.

Brigade Commander Cites 'Phenomenal Progress' in Rashid

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

Aug. 4, 2008 - Iraqi security forces have made such an improvement that coalition forces in Baghdad's Rashid district are able to turn their attention to rebuilding the area, the commander of the brigade assigned there said today. Army Col. Ted Martin, commander of the 4th Infantry Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team, said he has seen "phenomenal progress" since he was first in Iraq in 2003.

"For the first time, I've seen Iraqi security forces that can plan, prepare and execute first-class offensive operations," Martin said via video teleconference from Camp Falcon. "I've also seen a high level of trust and respect by the people of Rashid for their own Army and police forces."

Iraqi and coalition forces are working closely together in the region, which once was one of the most dangerous areas in Iraq -- a battleground containing al-Qaida in Iraq and Iranian-sponsored "special groups." In July 2007, 824 attacks took place in the district – a daily average of 27 attacks. But coalition and Iraqi forces have worked together to turn the situation around, Martin said.

"Together, we conduct relentless offensive operations designed to kill, capture or drive from Rashid anyone who threatens the safety and security of the people we have sworn to protect," he said.

When the brigade arrived in March, an average of five attacks per day took place in the district. Today, the daily average is 1.5 attacks, the colonel said.

"I believe this reduction in violence is a direct result of the conditions set by the success of the surge in forces and combat power," Martin said. "We built on this success and have seen a dramatic reduction in violence in the past four months."

Other statistics reinforce this conclusion. April saw 18 rocket and mortar attacks in the district, and only three took place in July. April's 69 roadside bomb attacks reduced to 37 in July. There were 30 direct-fire attacks in April and five in July.

Roadside bombs continue to be the biggest threat to coalition and Iraqi forces, Martin said, noting they are are "emplaced by special group criminal who operate as part of the illegal militias in Baghdad." These groups continue to try to destabilize the Iraqi government, he said.

"I think they want to undermine the government, and they're using the neighborhoods of Rashid as a battlefield," Martin said. "I'm pretty confident that we've denied them that capability."

The biggest change in the region is in the mood of the people of the district, Martin said. Since May, the local population has provided the intelligence helpful to coalition and Iraqi forces in taking on the enemy, he said. "There seemed to be a wedge that was placed between the people and the insurgents, and we tried to exploit that," he added.

Martin said the reduction in violence has allowed him and his soldiers to shift their focus toward improving essential services and helping their Iraqi security forces partners. "It is my firm belief that the decisive defeat of the special group criminal and militias in May and June of this year has opened a window of opportunity for us to make substantial and lasting improvements in the Rashid district," he said.

Working with Iraqi forces, Martin's brigade has detained 56 al-Qaida in Iraq operatives in the past four months, and brigade soldiers continue to pursue them relentlessly. "We have captured more than 170 special group criminal associated with the Jaysh al-Mahdi militia," Martin said.

Coalition and Iraqi forces are seeking to exploit the opportunity the relative peace has provided to cement the progress in place.

"Seizing on the improved security conditions, we are pursuing reconstruction projects to improve the quality of life for the Iraqi people," Martin said.

So far, the brigade has completed 22 projects valued at more than $5 million, and 78 active projects are valued at more than $45 million.

"We've also proposed an additional 117 projects valued at more than $26 million," the colonel said. "Each project is coordinated with the Rashid district council leadership to ensure that we are meeting the needs of the people."

The Iraqi government is kicking in on the reconstruction effort in the district, contributing $18 million in government funds, and Martin said he expects that amount to rise as the government becomes more established.

By Army Spc. David Hodge
Special to American Forces Press Service

Aug. 4, 2008 - The Harat Elementary School in southern Baghdad's Rashid district reopened July 31 after two months of refurbishment. More than 1,000 Iraqi boys and girls from 7 to 12 years old and 60 teachers will start school in the refurbished building in September.

Among the improvements made to the school are air conditioners, interior and exterior paint, new doors, new chalkboards and a generator to supply the school with electricity.

"The school looks very good," said Ali, who has served as the school's principal for 25 years. "It is like a new house for the students. Now that we have a new-looking school, it will allow the students to work harder and better."

The funds for the project came from the Iraqi government, Army Lt. Col. Timothy Watson, a battalion commander with the 4th Infantry Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team, said.

"This is one of the first schools to be refurbished in this area," Watson said. "We hope to work our way through all the schools."

The school refurbishment is a testament to the level of care for the neighborhood, Army Capt. Parsana Deoki, a company commander with the 4th Infantry Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team, said. "My soldiers have taken the time to ensure work is done correctly and according to the scheduled scope of work," Deoki added.

The commander of the community's "Sons of Iraq" citizen security group, who also serves as a neighborhood councilman, said improved security made the project possible. "With the help of both coalition forces and the district council, this place has become a school again," Capt. Yousif Ibrahim said. "On behalf of our neighborhood, principal and teachers, we give special thanks for giving us the security to make it happen."

Ibrahim said efforts to improve security in his neighborhood have had recent success and that he hopes that success will lead to further improvements in his area.

"We have to give more attention to essential services and take the weapons and fighting away from here," Ibrahim said.

With members of the neighborhood and district councils and 60 teachers at his side, the school principal said he has plans to add five new classrooms with the hope of giving the children the best opportunity to learn.

(Army Spc. David Hodge serves in Multinational Division Baghdad with the 4th Infantry Division's, 1st Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office.)

Variety of Factors Contribute to Progress in Iraq, General Says

By John D. Banusiewicz
American Forces Press Service

Aug. 3, 2008 - A combination of factors is responsible for the improved conditions in Iraq, the commander of coalition forces in the northern part of the country said today. Army Maj. Gen. Mark P. Hertling, commander of Multinational Division North, appeared on CNN's "Late Edition With Wolf Blitzer."

Hertling said the coalition's troop surge, Iraq's security forces, national and provincial officials and the population's rejection of violent extremism all have contributed to a sharp decline in violence and economic progress.

The surge did much to improve security in Baghdad and other regions, he said, and "Sons of Iraq" citizen groups have assisted coalition and Iraqi forces in the security effort. At the same time, he said, Iraq's Army and police forces have continued to mature.

"There is an increasing capability of the Iraqi security forces," the general said. "They have grown tremendously, even in the 11 months we've been here. The capability of the Iraqi security force has certainly contributed -- both the Army and the police. The Sons of Iraq are part of the security elements in the northern provinces, and they have helped in some areas like Hawijah, Samarra, and some other places like that."

In addition, Hertling said, the Iraqi government and the country's provincial governments "are starting to get their act together and providing jobs for people."

"So there are good things going on across the board," he said. "And you also have to understand that the people of Iraq are just tired of the fighting, and it doesn't matter if you're Sunni, Kurd, Shiia, Christian or Syrians -- you're just sick of this unbelievably bad organization called al-Qaida, which continues to do dastardly things throughout the northern areas and through the rest of the Iraq. So the people have stood up to these organizations, as well."

Though U.S. taxpayers have been footing the bill for the Sons of Iraq citizen security groups, Hertling said, officials have begun to find Iraqi employment for them.

"We're starting to transition those elements into other organizations [such as a] civil service corps to help rebuild roads, pipelines, projects, things like that," he said, likening the effort to the Civilian Conservation Corps in the United States before World War II.

"But we're also seeing microgrants and microloans take charge, and people actually getting normal work," Hertling said. "The government is starting to work a little bit more."

As progress continues, more fighting remains to be done, the general acknowledged. Enemy fighters driven out of Baghdad and Iraq's Anbar province by the troop surge have sought refuge in the north.

"This fight we're having right now is not over yet," he said. "There's still a lot of al-Qaida in our area. They have all come to the northern provinces from Baghdad and the west, and we continue to have to drive them and pursue them so that they quit fighting, give up or we kill or capture them."

Coalition Troops Detain Suspects; Iraqi Police Seize Explosives

American Forces Press Service

Aug. 1, 2008 - Coalition forces captured 17 suspected al-Qaida terrorists during operations in Baghdad and Mosul today, while Iraqi police found an assortment of explosives in Baghdad, military officials said.
In today's operations:

-- Fifteen suspected terrorists were captured in a village southwest of Mosul.

-- In Baghdad, coalition forces captured an alleged al-Qaida associate, as well as an additional suspected terrorist.

-- Iraqi police found nine roadside bombs designed to pierce armor-hulled vehicles, 10 1-pound blocks of explosive material, three 20-kilogram bags of explosives and bomb-making materials in the Kadamiyah area of Baghdad.

In operations yesterday, U.S. soldiers in Baghdad detained two suspected criminal for questioning. The operation resulted in the surrender of another suspect.

Also yesterday, Iraqi soldiers seized a sniper rifle, an AK-47 assault rifle, an AK-47 short stalk, a rocket-propelled grenade round, and two hand grenades in the Kadamiyah area of Baghdad.

During July 30 operations:

-- Iraqi soldiers detained a suspected al-Qaida financier during an operation in Sadiyah. Three other suspected terrorists were detained during the operation.

-- U.S. soldiers detained a suspected Iranian-backed "special groups" criminal near the Jihad community in Baghdad's Rashid district. Five other suspects also were detained.

-- U.S. soldiers detained a suspect after discovering possible bomb-making materials in his home in Baghdad's Risalah neighborhood.

-- Iraq security forces captured three suspected terrorists in separate operations: The Mosul special weapons and tactics team captured a suspected mid-level al-Qaida operative in Namrood; the Fallujah SWAT squad captured a suspected al-Qaida member during an operation in Fallujah; and to the north of Baghdad, Iraqi National police captured a suspected al-Qaida leader.

In July 29 operations:

-- An Iraqi special operations and weapons team from Haditha detained a suspected al-Qaida terrorist in Barwanah, northwest of Baghdad.

-- Iraqi special operations forces detained two suspected terrorists north of Baghdad.

-- Iraqi special operations forces detained four suspected al-Qaida members in Tahwila, northwest of Baghdad. One of the detainees is linked to coordinating the movement of weapons and people between the Diyala and Udaim river valleys.

In July 28 operations:

-- An Iraqi SWAT team detained a suspected al-Qaida operative and two other suspects in Mosul.

-- Iraqi soldiers detained a suspected al-Qaida financier northwest of Mosul.

-- Muqdadiyah's Iraqi SWAT team detained a suspected al-Qaida financier.

(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq and Multinational Corps Iraq news releases.)

Bush Cites 'Sustained Progress' in Iraq, Cuts New Deployments to 12 Months

By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service

July 31, 2008 - Citing improved conditions in Iraq, President Bush announced today that soldiers deploying there from tomorrow on will serve 12-month tours of duty. Army tours in Iraq were extended from 12 to 15 months in April 2007. Pentagon civilian and military officials have expressed the intent to cut Iraq tour lengths from 15 to 12 months for some time.

Violence in Iraq has decreased to its lowest levels in four years, which indicates that the security gains achieved there in recent months may be lasting, Bush said today at the White House.

"Violence is down to its lowest level since the spring of 2004," Bush said. Reduced strife in Iraq, he said, has continued for three consecutive months and is holding steady.

Bush said U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan C. Crocker and Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, the commander of Multinational Force Iraq, have cautioned him that the improved security environment in Iraq still is reversible. However, Crocker and Petraeus also believe "there now appears to be a degree of durability to the gains we have made," Bush said.

The success of the surge, Bush said, is "a significant reason for this sustained progress" in Iraq. Iraqi security forces are increasing in capability, he said, noting that 192 Iraqi combat battalions are now in the fight. More than 110 of these units, he said, are taking the lead in combat operations against terrorists and extremists.

Iraqi forces proved their mettle earlier this year, Bush said, during the successful Iraqi government-led military operations launched against Shiite extremists in Basra, Amarah and the Sadr City section of Baghdad.

"Because of these operations, extremists who once terrorized the citizens of these communities have been driven from their strongholds," Bush said. As a result, he said, Crocker "was able to walk the streets of Sadr City last Wednesday."

That act, Bush noted, was something that would not have been possible just a few months ago.

This week, the Iraqi government is launching a new military offensive against al-Qaida terrorists believed to be operating in parts of Diyala province, Bush said.

"This operation is Iraqi-led; our forces are playing a supporting role," Bush said. And during the coming months, he said, "the Iraqis will continue taking the lead in more military operations across the country."

The improved security environment has enabled the Iraqis to achieve political progress as well, the president said, noting that Iraqi lawmakers have passed several major pieces of legislation this year. Iraqi leaders also are preparing for provincial elections slated for later this year, he noted.

Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki recently returned from a European trip, Bush said, where the Iraqi leader held important diplomatic discussions with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and Pope Benedict XVI.

The progress in Iraq, Bush said, has enabled the redeployment of the five Army surge brigades and three Marine elements as well as the reduction of the length of U.S. Army combat tours there.

"Beginning tomorrow, troops deploying to Iraq will serve 12-month tours instead of 15-month tours," Bush said. "This will ease the burden on our forces; it will make life easier for our wonderful military families."

Meanwhile, the U.S. and Iraqi governments are making progress developing a strategic framework agreement covering military-to-military and diplomatic relations between the two countries, Bush said. The agreement, he said, will serve as the foundation for America's presence in Iraq after the United Nations resolution authorizing multinational forces in Iraq expires on Dec. 31.

Yet, despite all the recent achievements made in Iraq, America remains at war with global terrorists, the president said.

"Al-Qaida is on the run in Iraq, but the terrorists remain dangerous, and they are determined to strike our country and our allies again," Bush said. "In this time of war, America is grateful to all the men and women who have stepped up forward to defend us."

U.S. servicemembers "understand that we have no greater responsibility than to stop the terrorists before they launch another attack on our homeland," the president said. "And every day, they make great sacrifices to keep the American people safe here at home. We owe our thanks to all those who wear the uniform and their families who support them in their vital work. And the best way to honor them is to support their mission and to bring them home with victory."

Iraqi City Holds First Arts Festival Since 2003

American Forces Press Service

July 31, 2008 - The citizens of Seddah, Iraq, held the city's first arts festival since the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime. Soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Division's 4th Brigade Combat Team attended the festival, which was titled "Seddah's Happiness," in the Seddah City Park.

"During Saddam's time, we were not allowed to conduct such festivals," Seddah Mayor Ali said. "The only festivals were religious. Since the liberation of Iraq, the security situation was not safe enough to conduct any festivals. [The 4th BCT soldiers] have made our area safe, and this is the reason we were able to hold this festival."

The festival, which concluded July 26, lasted for six nights and included puppet shows, skits, painting, sculpting, literature reading, photography and a theatrical play with actors from Iskandariyah. Food stands and vendors were available, and local painters, sculptors, photographers and poets displayed their work.

"As we walked around, we were able to meet some of the artists," said Army Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Williams, a 4th BCT platoon sergeant. "They were all very willing and proud to show off their work."

The event showed that the people of Seddah feel they live in a safe and secure area, Williams said. The event was resourced, financed and run by the people of Seddah. International Relief and Development, some nongovernment organizations and local artists also contributed to the festival.

"It was an honor to be invited to attend the play, and the people were able to see the strong bond between coalition forces and the people of Seddah," Williams said. "We feel this shows how far Seddah has come in the last nine months and how self-sufficient the city council has become in Seddah."

(From a Multinational Corps Iraq news release.)

Iraqi Forces Continue Progress Toward Self-Sufficiency

By Army Staff Sgt. Michel Sauret
Special to American Forces Press Service

July 30, 2008 - Last month, Iraqi soldiers in Taji recovered two broken-down Humvees on their own and restored them without any help from coalition maintenance personnel. Small accomplishments like that are becoming more and more common, and cumulatively they mark milestones toward the Iraqi security forces becoming self-sufficient. The difference between the partnership he experienced with the Iraqi Army in 2006 compared to today is "night and day," said Capt. Steve Chadwick, an Iraqi security forces coordinator with Multinational Division Center, who was stationed in Tal Afar and Ramadi two years ago.

At that time, he said, coalition mechanics took care of the bulk of repairing vehicles and replacing parts. Not any more, the Oviedo, Fla., native said.

Maintenance is not the only area in which Iraqi security forces are more proficient. The Iraqis now have more regional and divisional training centers than ever before, with classes taught by either Iraqi noncommissioned officers or civilian instructors expert in a specific field.

"The future is the [Iraqi Army] taking up training all on its own. It's already begun," said Army Capt. Kyle Kirby, of Livingston, Ky., an Iraqi security forces coordinator with 10th Mountain Division.

Before, many of these courses were supervised or even taught by coalition instructors. Iraqi forces units also relied more heavily on training with coalition military transition teams. But now, the coalition's partnership with Iraqi security forces has shifted from a leading role to a strategic one. The coalition now serves as an "enabler" to help Iraqis complete missions. This means providing support using advanced technologies Iraqi forces have not yet established.

"We make sure the Iraqis get the necessary training and advice, so that they may operate their own military properly," said U.S. Army Capt. Thomas Obrien, an aide de camp for the Iraqi Assistance Group, which works in partnership with the Iraqi security forces.

One of the major goals in improving Iraq's forces, coalition officials have emphasized throughout the effort, is increasing the number of NCOs and officers who can lead and mentor fellow troops. Two elements are working to achieve this goal: recruiting centers and military academies.

Thirteen recruiting stations across Iraq take applications from local citizens, from people who served in the previous regime's Army and want to return to service, and from citizens who already have taken an active role in protecting their communities in "Sons of Iraq" citizen security groups. Mobile recruiting drives engage the population in areas without local centers. Three more centers are planned for future efforts.

Iraq now has 15 Police academies that can accommodate and train 20,000 recruits. Two of the academies train Iraqi National Police, and three train border enforcement agents. Another 24 military academies train a variety of Iraqi security forces, including a naval center, five officer schools and other Army training centers and branch schools.

By the end of the year, eight training cycles, which began in December, will be complete in an effort to stand up 13 Iraqi Army divisions. Each training cycle produces 14,000 new troops, which will account for 112,000 new Iraqi security forces members by January. Of those, 4,000 will be new officers.

The numbers of schools and recruits continue to rise, and the quality and variety of their training programs also improving, coalition officials said. Regional centers, such as the ones in Taji and Numaniyah, teach proficiency in logistics, advanced medical courses, maintenance, armor, welding and engineering.

The Iraqi security forces' successes and the drastically improved security climate their progress has helped to produce have made way for major improvements in the economy, infrastructure and future of Iraq.

On July 20, the people of Najaf celebrated the opening of a new international airport. During the inauguration ceremony, Iraqi security forces took charge of providing security without any help from their coalition counterparts. Throughout Iraq, 10 of the 18 provinces are now under provincial Iraqi control, which places security responsibility with the country's own security forces.

Army Capt. Dave Hansen, of Plano, Texas, the officer in charge of the fusion cell for 10th Mountain Division, said the progress he has seen bodes well for Iraq's future. "It's a good sign to see them taking control of their own country," he said.

(Army Staff Sgt. Michel Sauret serves in the Multinational Division Center Public Affairs Office.)

Soldiers Tour Iraqi Fish Market to Assess Needs, Find Solutions

By Army Maj. Mike Humphreys
Special to American Forces Press Service

July 29, 2008 - Deep-purple eggplant glisten in the sun while stacks of fresh watermelon rest on display safely under cover from the midday 115-degree heat as Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers of the 4th Infantry Division's 3rd Brigade Combat Team walk the street admiring the produce and assessing needs of a popular fish market in the Suleikh neighborhood of Baghdad's Adhamiyah district July 24. The patrol was part of a continued effort to build on the economic success the unit has seen in Adhamiyah.

"The fish market is a great example of what improved security can mean in the lives of Iraqis," said Army Maj. Byron Sarchet, information operations officer for 3rd BCT. "This piece of Baghdad has seen little U.S. or [Iraqi Army] presence lately. Security is being provided by the Sons of Iraq currently, and the market is thriving."

Sons of Iraq are local residents who have taken on some of the responsibility for providing security in their neighborhoods.

But some dangers come with the limited U.S. presence that security success has provided. Sarchet said simple problems with simple solutions often can easily become big problems for U.S. and Iraqi forces if left unattended. Just driving by the fish market, it's easy to get the impression of a flourishing market with no troubles in sight, but a cursory walk through the streets uncovers a problem.

Abdul al-Setar, an Iraqi business owner, runs into the street to greet the U.S. soldiers. Through an interpreter, he gives an animated report that his home and shop have power for only an hour a day. "It is too hot. This is not good for my wife and family," Setar tells the soldiers hoping they can bring relief.

After a round of tea from a street vendor, the soldiers begin their search for the generator meant to provide power to the street. They don't look far before an Iraqi woman approaches with the same concern as Setar's.

The patrol soon finds two generators in the market in similar degrees of disrepair. Sarchet said the first thought might be to contract for repair or replacement of the generators, but that doesn't help the Iraqis solve the problem for themselves.

"We can't let the fish market flounder," he said before explaining what the best solution would be. "It's important to find a local guy with a vested interest in the market and the economy to help provide power to the neighborhood," he said.

Another walk around and the patrol encounters a small store with a healthy generator powering about 60 shops along the busy street. Mustafa Abud Aller is happy to invite the soldiers in to see his shop, and he proudly shows off the generator that he and his brother-in-law maintain.

"Can you fix the generators in the market?" Sarchet asks Mustafa, who answers enthusiastically that he could, but that it would cost money.

"Sure, this guy is taking advantage of the situation," Sarchet said, "but that's business. If we can quickly get him $3,000 and he becomes the power company for the neighborhood, that's business."

Less than two years ago, Adhamiyah was wrought with violence and sectarian strife. Now, markets are flourishing all over the district. Iraqis sell fresh produce, clothes, electronics, auto parts and other wares, bringing normalcy to the area and stimulating the economy. But Sarchet warned that peace is fragile without continued interaction and communication with the people.

"The market here is thriving because the people have had a taste of how good it can be. We just have to keep progressing forward," he said.

(Army Maj. Mike Humphreys serves in Multinational Division Baghdad with the 4th Infantry Division's 3rd Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office.)

General Details Security Improvements in Iraq's Northern Provinces

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

July 27, 2008 - The security situation in Iraq's northern provinces has improved, but Iraqi and coalition troops will continue to pursue al-Qaida in Iraq and other criminal groups, the U.S. commander in the region said during a briefing in Baghdad today. Army Maj. Gen. Mark P. Hertling, the commander of Multinational Division – North, told reporters that the number of security incidents in his area of operations has dropped from more than 2,600 in June 2007 to 650 in June 2008. The numbers for July 2008 continue to show a reduction.

Hertling said Iraqi commanders will launch a major offensive against al-Qaida and criminal gangs in Diyala province next month. U.S. forces will launch a concurrent offensive – Operation Iron Pursuit – against al-Qaida in Iraq terrorists who are seeking sanctuary in the desert.

The success of the surge in Baghdad forced al-Qaida in Iraq to move out of the city mostly to the northern provinces of Diyala, Ninewah and Salah ad Din. These areas became the main battlefield as coalition, and increasingly, Iraqi forces hunted down the terrorists and killed or captured them. The cities are now "reasonably secure," Hertling said, and the Iraqi and coalition forces can shift focus to hunting down al-Qaida and its allies outside the cities.

Other indicators also point to progress, Hertling said. The number of roadside bombs declined by 50 percent since February 2008 from 950 to 430.

"That's not to say we still don't have threats," the general said. Suicide vest attacks and car bombs remain a problem in Diyala and the city of Mosul. On July 24, a woman wearing a suicide vest killed eight Iraqis and wounded 30 others in Baquba. Last month another suicide bomber killed Iraqi police and recruits in the city.

The number of Iraqis killed by terrorists wearing suicide vests has been about 250. Car bombs killed a further 1,500.

"These are random, violent acts conducted by these violent terrorists and that's why we are not only continuing to go after those who do these things, but the networks that support them," he said.

Iraqi and coalition forces are continuing Operation Mother of Two Springs in Ninewah and Mosul.

"We are beginning ... Operations Omens of Prosperity ... in Diyala province to begin in early August," he said. While the Iraqi Army will lead the operations, coalition forces will continue to partner with Iraqi forces.

Coalition forces will go after the support zones for al-Qaida in Iraq. "Our message in conducting that operation is we have secured the key cities of the north and we have seen al-Qaida continue to be pushed into the support zones – the areas of the desert – and we will continue to relentlessly pursue them into those areas," Hertling said.

In addition to their own operation, U.S. forces will partner with Iraqi soldiers and police units to provide them enablers: fire support, intelligence, artillery, some logistics, engineers and some aviation, Hertling said.

security is better in the north because of the increased number of Iraqi police and Iraqi Army units, Hertling said. Still the security forces are undermanned and can use more capabilities.

The Iraqi Ground Forces Command has moved a headquarters to the area outside Baquba.

"They will be bringing together in early August the elements of four Iraq Army divisions, some additional Iraqi National Police and they will be linked very closely with police forces in Diyala itself," Hertling said. The Iraqi command is working closely with local Sons of Iraq groups.

This improved security has allowed a greater economic development in the four northern provinces. The markets are open, the roads are being paved and electric lines going up and being repaired. Oil exports are at an all-time high, Hertling said. "This allows for greater political interaction between the government of Iraq and the provinces as they ready for the up-coming vote," he said.

Al-Qaida is not giving up easily, the general said. There are intimidation tactics going on throughout the northern provinces, but especially in Mosul – Iraq's second-largest city. The terrorists have been targeting Iraqi security force, the police and Iraqi intellectuals.

"There are still attacks in Mosul, but they have been greatly reduced," Hertling said. Again, the markets are open, but more needs to be done to improve the employment situation in the region. "The combination of the Iraqi security plan has significantly reduced the attacks and the flow of insurgents into the city," he said. "What needs to happen now is the Iraqi government and the provincial governments is continuing to improve the economic conditions of the city."

And insurgents are increasingly allying with the Iraqi government. "More than 2,100 former insurgents in our area that have turned themselves in and said, 'I don't want to fight anymore, I'm tired of running, I want to be part of the political process,'" Hertling said. "More of that will happen as people see the increasing strength of the Iraqi government."

The upcoming operations will cover an area the size of New Jersey, the general said. "It's hot out there and dusty," he said. "The temperature the last time I was in Baquba was 127 degrees."

Hertling said much remains to be done in the region. "There will be continued operations as long as the Iraqi people are threatened," he said.

Engineers in Iraq Monitor Bridge Repairs

By Army Pfc. Lyndsey R. Dransfield
Special to American Forces Press Service

July 25, 2008 - Multinational Division Baghdad engineers with the 25th Infantry Division's 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team journeyed to the Grand Canal Bridge in Taji Qada, northwest of Baghdad, on July 22 to monitor repair progress. The bridge, which spans a portion of the Grand Canal and is one of the key crossings along the main highway west of the Tigris River, was damaged by two terrorist attacks last year.

The first attack happened May 11, 2007, when a terrorist detonated a bomb-laden vehicle in the bridge's southbound lane. Three months later, another vehicle bomb, this one in the northbound lane, sent a large portion of the bridge plummeting into the water below.

Although temporary repairs were made, the damage caused other side effects, such as increased traffic and severe corrosion to the river banks.

The Iraqi government awarded a contract to Rownaq al Mas, a local construction company, to rebuild both lanes of the bridge and remove fallen debris from the canal below.

"What is most significant about this project is that the Iraqis are doing this completely on their own," said Army Capt. Mark Gillman, a Las Vegas native and an assistant engineer with the 25th Infantry Division's 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team. "The bridge is funded by the Iraqi government, a local company is doing all of the work, and the Iraqi Army is here for security."

The project is separated into two phases, each scheduled for completion in three months. During the first phase, the contractors are working to repair the hole in the northbound lane and break down the fallen span to remove it from the canal piece by piece. During the second phase, they will focus completely on rebuilding the missing portion of the bridge in the southbound lane.

The workers began construction June 29 and have made a good amount of progress preparing foot paths, insuring the safety of the foundation and removing asphalt around the damaged area to begin installing the steel received last week.

The steel portion of the bridge is on schedule to be finished in less than two weeks, and from there, the workers will move on to pouring the concrete, which should take 28 days.

"By the end of the year, the bridge will look like it used to," Gillman said.

Each time a vehicle crosses the bridge, it passes a bold sign that can't be missed by the passengers inside. Printed in Arabic, the sign screams the words "We will rebuild."

"Seeing this project gives the people of Iraq confidence in themselves and their government," said Saleem Abdul Karim, bicultural and bilingual advisor who works with the civil engineers and is a subject matter expert in engineering. "It gives them hope for the future; it is a light at the end of a tunnel."

(Army Pfc. Lyndsey R. Dransfield serves in Multinational Division Baghdad with the 25th Infantry Division's 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office.)

CBR Weapons and WMD Terrorism News- July 25, 2008

Food industry bitten by its lobbying success
“The industry pressured the Bush administration years ago to limit the paperwork companies would have to keep to help U.S. health investigators quickly trace produce that sickens consumers, according to interviews and government reports reviewed by The Associated Press. The White House also killed a plan to require the industry to maintain electronic tracking records that could be reviewed easily during a crisis to search for an outbreak's source. Companies complained the proposals were too burdensome and costly, and warned they could disrupt the availability of consumers' favorite foods. The apparent but unintended consequences of the lobbying success: a paper record-keeping system that has slowed investigators, with estimated business losses of $250 million.” (Google News; 25July08; Associated Press, Larry Margasak) http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iVHt-zqI9SBYX7gUbzPTug-Ns3ewD924VCTG0

'It could save a lot of lives': 200 'victims' participate in bioterrorism drill [Lake County, IL]
“Lake County [Illinois] has just been infested with an anthrax outbreak. First responders, emergency crews and health officials are waiting to distribute medicines to thousands of infected residents before it is too late. That was the scenario the Lake County Health Department and emergency agencies were faced with Thursday during a bioterrorism drill at St. Peter's United Church of Christ in Lake Zurich.” (Lake CountyNews-Sun; 25July08; Kendrick Marshall) http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/newssun/news/1074115,5_1_WA25_HAZARDDRIL_S1.article

Hospitals put to the test during natural disaster drill [Fayetteville, AR]
“Employees at nine hospitals in Northwest Arkansas tested their responses to a large-scale natural disaster in a drill on Wednesday. Organized by Northwest Regional Hospital Bioterrorism Preparedness Committee, the exercise presented difficulties that would result from four or five tornados hitting the area. The committee is part of a statewide effort coordinated by the Arkansas Department of Health and Human Services and the Arkansas Hospital Association[.] The scenarios were fed to hospitals in Benton, Boone, Carroll and Washington counties from inside the Washington County Emergency Operations Center in Fayetteville.” (NWA News; 24July08; Adam Wallworth) http://www.nwanews.com/adg/News/232184/

One Very Scary Jalapeño [Editorial]
“Federal health officials have finally found a jalapeño tainted with the rare form of salmonella that has poisoned more than 1,200 people in this country since April. The contaminated pepper was grown in Mexico and repacked by a small Texas distributor. The company has pulled its supplies from the marketplace, and the Food and Drug Administration is advising people to eat only jalapeños and serranos that have been safely cooked. This does not mean it’s over. Finding one bad pepper cannot close the lid on the largest outbreak of food-borne illness in America in a decade.”
(New York Times; 24July08)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/24/opinion/24thu3.html

Newport [Indiana] Chemical Depot nearly finished in VX disposal
“During the cold war this rural corner of west central Indiana produced thousands of tons of the toxic nerve agent VX for the government. Since 2005 the same area has been dismantling the VX due to an international treaty. […] ‘We have destroyed over 98 percent so we are down to our last approximately two percent,’ Brubaker said. In the next couple of weeks that, two percent of VX will be neutralized and on it's way out of this area.” (WTHITV; 23July08)
http://www.wthitv.com/Global/story.asp?S=8724538&nav=menu593_2

DNC [Democratic National Convention] security info released
“Contrary to rumors, there will be no weapons that shoot slime, nor will there be ‘pain ray’ guns that immobilize targets at this year’s Democratic National Convention, according to a security budget proposal released by the city of Denver yesterday. The city agreed to release some general DNC security information in return for the American civil Liberties Union (ACLU) postponing its lawsuit against them until after the DNC, said Mark Silverstein, legal director for ACLU’s Colorado chapter. […] Although the city did comply with some of ACLU’s requests, it did not disclose the total amount spent on electronic restraints or chemical weapons, which the non-profit requested.” (Denver Daily News; 24July08; Gene Davis)
http://www.thedenverdailynews.com/article.php?aID=1311

Sarin leak sealed at Richmond [Kentucky] depot
“Workers at Blue Grass Army Depot have sealed the container that was leaking sarin nerve agent, the Army said Friday. The leak was discovered on July 11 during routine daily monitoring of the storage igloo and is ‘under continuous observation to evaluate the effectiveness of the seals,’ said Richard Sloan, spokesman for Blue Grass Chemical Activity, the chemical weapons operation at the depot.” (Herald-Leader; 25July08; Greg
Kocher)
http://www.kentucky.com/181/story/471237.html

Reprieve’s fight for Binyam Mohamed
“Lawyers acting for Binyam Mohamed, a British resident incarcerated in Guantánamo Bay, have urged the Government to disclose evidence which, they say, would demonstrate he was tortured. […] Mohamed was also accused of plotting to buy uranium in Asia, bring it to the US and build a ‘dirty bomb’ in league with Jose Padilla, a US citizen. Mohammed signed a confession but told his lawyer, Clive Stafford Smith, he had never met Padilla, or anyone in al-Qa’ida.” (The Muslim News; 25July08; Zainab
Hemani)
http://www.muslimnews.co.uk/paper/index.php?article=3632

UAD [United Action for Democracy] Chides FG [Federal Government of Nigeria] Over UK security Deal
“The United Action for Democracy (UAD) has accused the Federal Government of compromising Nigeria's sovereignty and internal security in her bid to overcome the lingering militant crisis in the Niger Delta region of the country. […] They further asserted that the implication of the latest deal was what they called ‘imperialist Britain’, similar to the recent failed attempt by America to position its African Command in Nigeria, and that it further showed the mad obsession of the failing regime to commit untold violence against the people of the Niger Delta, plunder the natural endowments, expose the region to the risk of biological and chemical warfare and diseases, and subject the environment to greater destruction.”
(Leadership Nigeria; 25July08)
http://www.leadershipnigeria.com/product_info.php?products_id=31777&osCsid=e872f086f957a289c000693b776414cb

Mega-truck designed for disasters relegated to mundane police work
“In 2005, Uncle Sam bought El Paso County a quartermillion-dollar armored vehicle designed to handle everything from weapons of mass destruction to natural disasters. Since then, it's been used 52 times for ordinary police work: arresting potentially violent suspects or fugitives, protecting dignitaries, handling civil disturbances and dealing with people barricaded in a home or business with hostages. It cost $246,675, with an additional $17,477 spent on such after-market enhancements as ballistic shields, roof-mounted remote-control spotlights, radiation detection equipment, an explosive gas detection system and an intercom system.” (The Gazette; 23July08; Pam Zubeck) http://www.gazette.com/articles/disasters_38536___article.html/police_designed.html

CNS ChemBio-WMD Terrorism News is prepared by the Chemical and Biological Weapons Nonproliferation Program of the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies in order to bring timely and focused information to researchers and policymakers interested in the fields of chemical, biological, and radiological weapons nonproliferation and WMD terrorism.

Al-Qaida 'Severely Disrupted' in Iraq's Babil Province

By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service

July 24, 2008 - Al-Qaida terrorists have been largely marginalized in Iraq's Babil province, thanks to the joint efforts of Iraqi and U.S. security forces, as well as local "Sons of Iraq" citizen security groups, a senior U.S. military officer posted in Iraq said today. "The organization related to al-Qaida is severely disrupted, ... as well as the [extremist] militia" in Babil province," Army Col. Tom James, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division's 4th Brigade Combat Team, said during a satellite-carried news conference with Pentagon reporters.

"Overall, we are extremely optimistic about the security situation in Babil province, because of the professional actions of the Iraqi security forces and the population's strong desire for peace and stability," James said.

About 1.2 million people live in Babil province, located about 50 kilometers south of Baghdad, James said. Babil's population is about 70 percent Shiia Muslim and 30 percent Sunni Muslim. Hillah is the provincial capital.

The improved security, he said, "will stimulate positive governance and economic growth for the future, and eventually will result in irreversible, sustainable security."

James complimented his soldiers' ability "to adapt rapidly to extremely complex situations," and he also saluted Iraqi soldiers' ability to adjust to conditions.

The last of the U.S.-provided surge forces recently departed Iraq, but improved Iraqi security forces are picking up the slack, James said. With the departure of the surge troops, "Iraqi security forces are at a [capability] level to be able to handle that," he added.

The improved security is driving reconstruction and economic progress, James said, noting that 186 Iraqi-government-sponsored economic programs are under way in the province.

U.S. and Iraqi forces are helping Iraqi government officials prepare for provincial elections slated for later in the year. Twenty-three Iraqi voter registration sites have been set up in Babil province, James noted.

James was accompanied at the news conference by Brig. Gen. Abdul Amir, commander of 31st Brigade, 8th Iraqi Army Division. The U.S. and Iraqi soldiers work together, along with Iraqi police and Sons of Iraq members, to conduct aggressive security operations across Babil province, James said.

Working in tandem, U.S. and Iraqi security forces "were able to disable all these [al-Qaida] cells and enemies," Amir said. Most of the al-Qaida leaders in his area of operations, he said, are now in detention.

Today, in northern Babil province, "there is no threat from al-Qaida" or extremist militia, Amir asserted.

The reduced incidence of al-Qaida attacks, especially those in the form of improvised explosive devices, enables U.S.-supported Iraqi security forces to focus resources to quickly disrupt enemy activity, James said. Al-Qaida's weakened state in Babil province "is obvious to us, based on their ability to deliver an effective IED" attack, he explained.

Previously, the colonel explained, al-Qaida operatives in the province typically deployed suicide-vest bombers and used deeply buried IEDs.

"We're not seeing those any more," James said. Explosive devices now employed by al-Qaida in his area of operations, he said, are "much more primitive and much less effective."

The few remaining al-Qaida agents in Babil province are attempting to use their waning power to target Sons of Iraq leadership, with little effect, James said.

"That's the primary threat that we've seen over the last couple of weeks," James said.

Meanwhile, Iraqi security forces, he said, continue to zero in on remaining al-Qaida elements in the province. James saluted the security contributions provided by Iraqi soldiers, police and Sons of Iraq members.

"I am honored to serve with the Iraqi security forces; they are true patriots, and we have built relationships that will last a lifetime," James said. "I thank them and their families and the people of Iraq for their sacrifices in pursuit of a safe and secure country, so that democracy and freedom can flourish.

"I would also like to thank the American people," James continued, "especially the families of our servicemen and women, for their sacrifices and their support as well, as we're forward-deployed here."

The colonel also saluted "our servicemen and women for their contribution to freedom and those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice on the field of battle, and that is both, Iraqi Army as well as coalition-force and U.S. forces, that have fought hand in hand to make Iraq a secure place."

In turn, Amir expressed his gratitude for U.S. military help in ridding his country of terrorists and insurgents.

"I send my greeting to all the families of the 4th Brigade soldiers who are sacrificing with their lives ... for helping us to reform and rebuild our armed forces," the Iraqi general said.

"And, I am hoping that they will go home safely and see their families," Amir said.

Coalition, Afghan Forces Kill Armed Militants

American Forces Press Service

July 23, 2008 - Coalition and Afghan forces killed groups of enemy fighters during operations in Afghanistan this week, military officials said. While coalition forces yesterday searched compounds in the Sayed Abad district of Wardak province for a Taliban commander, a cadre of militants inside a barricaded house attacked troops with grenades, machine guns and small-arms fire.

Coalition forces fought back using small arms and grenades, and they called in an air strike, killing an unknown number of the enemy fighters, military officials said.

Combined forces also came under ambush during a July 21 operation in the Maruf district of Kandahar province. As troops patrolled the area, militants attacked from a fortified position, using small-arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades. The combined force returned small-arms fire and called for close-air support. The retaliation killed several militants and destroyed their attack position, military officials said.

Elsewhere in Afghanistan on July 21, Afghan national security forces and coalition forces observed a group of enemy fighters amassing along a ridgeline in the Shah Wali Kot district of Kandahar province. As the armed fighters moved into fortified fighting positions, the combined forces engaged them with small-arms fire and called for close-air support, killing the militants.

No Afghan or coalition forces were injured or killed during the engagement, military officials said.

(Compiled from Combined Joint Task Force 101 news releases.)

Bush Meets With Defense Leaders in Pentagon

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

July 23, 2008 - President Bush met with Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and the members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff today at the Pentagon. Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney, National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley and Josh Bolton, White House chief of staff, met with defense leaders in "the tank" -- a secure conference room in the Pentagon.

"This is another in a series of meetings that the commander in chief conducts with his military advisors every quarter or so," Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said during a news conference.

The specifics of the meeting are classified, Morrell said, but he gave reporters a rough outline of the topics covered.

"These meetings provide the president and his military team the opportunity to discuss at length how the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are progressing, what other security threats may be emerging around the world, and how our brave troops and their families are holding up under the strain of repeated and lengthy deployments," he said.

The national security team undoubtedly would discuss the recently ended surge and what that has meant for Iraq and the region, Morrell said. "Security has improved so much in Iraq over the past year [that] the five additional brigade combat teams have now left the country, and yet violence remains at an all-time low," he said.

The need for more troops in Afghanistan also would be high on the agenda, Morrell said. "I can tell you that there's been no secret made of the fact that commanders in Afghanistan have made it perfectly clear to the leadership here in the Pentagon that they need more forces sooner than later," he said.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff will discuss with the president "whether or not they can meet the needs of the commanders any time soon," he added.

Commanders in Afghanistan need three more brigade combat teams, Morrell said. "The secretary ... helped the president craft a statement which made it clear that this country is committed to providing additional forces -- an unknown but not insignificant number -- to Afghanistan next year," he said.

Bush meets on a daily basis with members of his national security team. The last full discussion the president held in the Pentagon was March 28.

Mullen Discusses Iraq, Afghanistan, Election in Interview

By Army Staff Sgt. Michael J. Carden
American Forces Press Service

July 23, 2008 - The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff spoke out on the need for additional troops in Afghanistan, potential troop reductions in Iraq, and the upcoming U.S. presidential election during a wide-ranging "Newsmakers" interview on PBS's "NewsHour With Jim Lehrer" last night. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen noted recent progress in Iraq, saying "the security has improved remarkably." But when asked about the possibility of lower troop levels there and sending more troops to Afghanistan, he said it's too soon to make any decisions. Military leaders in Washington and Iraq will continue evaluating improvements based on conditions on the ground, he said.

"If we are able to sustain this kind of improvement in security, I'd have expectations that this fall I'd be able to make recommendations to President Bush that we can [draw down troops in Iraq]," Mullen said. "It would depend on how conditions continue to evolve."

If security continues to improve, more troops will be available for missions in Afghanistan, where coalition forces are seeing "more sophisticated attacks more often by terrorists," the admiral said. He said he hopes eventually to increase troop levels there by three brigades, or 10,000 troops. Two brigades would focus on counterinsurgency operations, while another brigade-size element would train Afghan police, he said.

Coalition forces in Afghanistan now are challenged with a recent spike in violence and an underdeveloped police force and government. Also, terrorists have found safe havens along the Pakistani border, and because of a lack of border security by the new Pakistani government, they are able to flow more freely in and out of Afghanistan, Mullen said.

Coalition commanders in Afghanistan have noted success in many areas, however, but still feel the need for more troops, the chairman said. Currently, only two U.S. Marine battalions -- about 2,500 Marines -- are filling that void. One is training Afghan police, and the other is conducting combat operations.

"Clearly, we are watching [insurgent activities in Afghanistan] very closely," Mullen said. "We are concerned about the increase, the improvements, in the sophisticated attacks. And until we get to a point [in Iraq] where we can reduce [Military] commitment, we won't have significant additional troops to add in Afghanistan."

Additional troops in Afghanistan may have a similar outcome to the same strategy that has proven successful in Iraq, the chairman said. He credited the troop surge in Iraq for being the foundation in a combination of efforts that led the country to its current state.

"The five brigades that were the additional surge brigades made a huge difference, and I would argue that they put us in a position now that not many of us would have imagined we could be 12 months ago," he said.

Mullen said the additional troops provided security for political actions to take place and for the economy to move in the right direction while giving Iraqi security forces the opportunity to train and mature.

"[Progress in Iraq] has been a number of things," he said, "but more than anything else, I think the underpinning of that has been the surge and the security provided for the opportunities that are there now."

However, as Mullen and the U.S. Military focus on the current happenings in Middle East, Lehrer observed the possibility of their mission shifting as early as next year. The two leading candidates for the upcoming presidential election differ greatly in their opinions concerning the U.S. Military's stance in the Middle East.

"I think it's really important for the Military to remain neutral in this political season," Mullen said. "And in maintaining that position, we carry out the mission that we have right now."

Current priorities put the focus on Iraq first, Afghanistan second and then on building "dwell time" for troops at their home stations between deployments, Mullen said.

"My mission is to continue to evaluate conditions and to give my best advice to President Bush, and I'll continue to do that," he said.

Mullen said he'd have no issues serving under any president. "Clearly, we're going to have a new president in January. I'll get my mission from whoever that president may be, and I'll give him my best Military advice," the admiral said. "I'll get my direction from him, and I'll carry that out."

General Credits Success in Iraq to Various 'Surges'

By Army Staff Sgt. Michael J. Carden
American Forces Press Service

July 23, 2008 - As violence levels maintain a steady decrease across Iraq, coalition forces and the Iraqi government are able to focus their efforts on reconstruction and civil issues, a senior coalition military official in Iraq said today. Iraqi forces are improved, and the government continues to develop and progress, Army Brig. Gen. David Perkins, a Multinational Force Iraq spokesman, said in a news briefing from Baghdad.

"Government, security and economic institutions continue to surge forward" throughout Iraq even as the last of the initial five surge brigades – 3rd Infantry Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team – redeployed this week, Perkins said.

military officials credit the past year's five-brigade troop surge as the foundation for the country's recent progress, the general said, but that wasn't the only surge that took place.

"The coalition surge was one of many surges that have come to produce programs and progress across Iraq," Perkins said. "The coalition surge has been accompanied by a surge in Iraqi security forces, a surge of support by the Iraqi people, a surge in political and governance progress and a surge in the revitalization of the economic sector."

With violence throughout the country at its lowest levels in four years, the Iraqi council of representatives has approved 20 major legislative measures, ranging from accountability and justice laws to the Ministry of Interior penal code. Also, the improved security has facilitated meeting high demands of electricity, water and residential reconstruction in Baghdad, he said.

Throughout the past year, electricity production has increased 13 percent and oil production has increased 25 percent a day, the general said. Iraqi government agencies have granted loans to 18,000 small and medium businesses .

These results also can be attributed to the maturity and growth of the Iraqi security , Perkins said. Iraqi security forces have grown an additional 150,000 trained troops over the past year, and they planned, led and executed major security operations in Basra, Mosul, eastern Baghdad and Amarah. Control of 10 of Iraq's 18 provinces has been handed over to Iraqi security forces, with Anbar province near that mark as well, the general said.

"security forces have learned that security means much more than fighting the enemy, and that protecting the local population can only be sustained by reconstruction support for the local communities.

"Indeed, these surges are linked together to provide Iraqis with the opportunity to work, send their children to school and live in a secure environment," he continued. "[Coalition forces] are committed to our partnership with Iraqi security forces, and we will continue to support the processes to allow Iraqis to rebuild Iraq."