By Norris Jones
Special to American Forces Press Service
Feb. 25, 2009 - An Arkansas father-and-son team is part of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' massive rebuilding efforts in Iraq. Denver and Eric Gillespie, both Navy veterans and ACE employees, soon will complete their six-month tours. What made the deployment so special was meeting, working with and getting to know the Iraqi people, they said.
The Gillespies are construction representatives with the Adder Area Office here. Denver is overseeing $150 million in projects, including the expansion of the Tallil airfield, the new Ur Location Command for the Iraqi army, and upgrading two electrical substations in Dhi Qar province.
Eric is helping to ensure quality work at seven projects worth more than $50 million, including the new 80-bed Maysan surgical hospital, the Iraqi army's new Maymona Location Command, expansion of two roads, and the upgrade of the Amarah landfill with a new incinerator, all in Maysan province.
One of the highlights of the tour, they said, was visiting Al Haboosh Primary School in December to hand out toys, soccer balls and school supplies to the 225 students there.
The school is next to a new $650,000 water treatment plant that will provide access to clean water to that community for the first time. The local tribal leader, Sheik Abdul Razak, said residents there historically had just pumped raw water out of the local canal for household use.
"It is very bad water," he said. "This project is important for the health of everyone who lives here. It's a great sign of progress."
Eric noted many of the students at that school were the same age as his sons, Drake, 7, and Caleb, 6.
"It was great to see their smiles," he said. "They were so appreciative of what we're trying to do."
Denver said he's grateful to get an opportunity to see this part of the world and get a first-hand look at geographical landmarks mentioned in the Bible, such as the Tigris and Euphrates rivers and the ancient city of Ur, where Abraham was raised.
Denver has been a volunteer minister for the past 15 years, and when he retires April 1, will become the full-time pastor at the McJester Baptist Church in Pangburn, Ark.
"In Iraq, family is everything" Denver explained. "Whether the father is a truck driver or a camel herder, you see their sons close by learning the trade, being mentored, getting schooled about life. It's a bond that I admire."
The Gillespies have a close-knit family, as well. Back in the states, they live near each other in Tumbling Shoals, Ark., and enjoy camping and going to church together. During their time off in Iraq, they lift weights together, go to aerobics classes and are members of the district softball team. "It's been a blast," Denver said.
They also helped to barbecue steaks and hamburgers to recognize Adder Area Office's Iraqi engineers who visit those construction sites daily.
"They are on our staff and do a tremendous job, Eric said. "These individuals all have college degrees, are very knowledgeable about our procedures, and they are willing to risk their lives every day to try to make their community a better place for their children and grandchildren. They've earned our utmost respect."
Denver and Eric are Navy veterans. Denver was a boiler technician on the aircraft carrier USS Midway during the Vietnam War. Eric was a machinist mate on the aircraft carrier USS Constellation. Denver also spent time as an anti-submarine warfare operator.
Denver plans to retire soon after returning stateside. He says the Iraq deployment was a great way to finish his 34-year career with USACE, where he serves as the senior electrician at the Greers Ferry hydroelectric power station -- the same facility where his father worked and also retired.
Eric has been with USACE for nine years and is an operator and diver at Murray Lock and Dam near Little Rock. He said hopes to get an opportunity to relocate to Greers Ferry to become the third generation of Gillespies to work there.
"It's been awesome getting this chance to serve with Dad - being part of his last hurrah before he closes this chapter on his life," Eric said. "We're both very proud to be members of the USACE team here - seeing how appreciative the Iraqi people are of our efforts. We are making a difference."
(Norris Jones works in the public affairs office of Army Corps of Engineers Gulf Region South district.)
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Military Intelligence Leaders Discuss Common Threats in Singapore
By Navy Lt. Cmdr. Chuck Bell
Special to American Forces Press Service
Feb. 25, 2009 - A gathering of military intelligence professionals from 25 Asia-Pacific nations and beyond in recent days furthered a multinational partnership critical to combating terrorism in the region, U.S. Pacific Command's intelligence director said. "You can't overemphasize the value of this type of forum," Navy Rear Adm. Michael S. Rogers said. "It included candid multinational and bilateral side discussions on issues that have a significant impact on the entire region."
The intelligence professionals gathered Feb. 17-20 in Singapore to explore ways to increase information sharing to counter common threats. Trans-national threats such as countering terrorism, maintaining a secure maritime environment, and improving responses to humanitarian crises were topics of discussion at the 2nd Asia-Pacific Intelligence Chiefs Conference.
Co-hosted by Pacom's intelligence directorate and the Singapore armed forces military intelligence organization, the conference included 17 intelligence chiefs and eight representatives from countries including Australia, China, France, Mongolia, Nepal, New Zealand and others.
The conference included presentations and group discussions dealing largely with identifying the appropriate type of information to share and a process for doing so. Rogers noted that conferences such as APICC are important to enhancing security by taking a multilateral approach to addressing common threats.
"Partnership and collective action are proven methods with which to counter extremists and others who wish to disrupt the rule of law and inflict harm on those who strive for peace, security, and prosperity," he said.
The first APICC conference, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in September 2007 included 18 countries. The growth in the size and scope this year demonstrates that Asia-Pacific nations are unified in the need for cooperation against transnational threats, Rogers said.
"No country is so large that it can do everything on its own," he said. "Neither can one country be so small that it can never contribute to the rest."
Rogers also emphasized and praised the contribution of the Singapore armed forces in expanding the conference and for taking a lead role in fostering regional security cooperation.
(Navy Lt. Cmdr. Chuck Bell serves at U.S. Pacific Command.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Feb. 25, 2009 - A gathering of military intelligence professionals from 25 Asia-Pacific nations and beyond in recent days furthered a multinational partnership critical to combating terrorism in the region, U.S. Pacific Command's intelligence director said. "You can't overemphasize the value of this type of forum," Navy Rear Adm. Michael S. Rogers said. "It included candid multinational and bilateral side discussions on issues that have a significant impact on the entire region."
The intelligence professionals gathered Feb. 17-20 in Singapore to explore ways to increase information sharing to counter common threats. Trans-national threats such as countering terrorism, maintaining a secure maritime environment, and improving responses to humanitarian crises were topics of discussion at the 2nd Asia-Pacific Intelligence Chiefs Conference.
Co-hosted by Pacom's intelligence directorate and the Singapore armed forces military intelligence organization, the conference included 17 intelligence chiefs and eight representatives from countries including Australia, China, France, Mongolia, Nepal, New Zealand and others.
The conference included presentations and group discussions dealing largely with identifying the appropriate type of information to share and a process for doing so. Rogers noted that conferences such as APICC are important to enhancing security by taking a multilateral approach to addressing common threats.
"Partnership and collective action are proven methods with which to counter extremists and others who wish to disrupt the rule of law and inflict harm on those who strive for peace, security, and prosperity," he said.
The first APICC conference, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in September 2007 included 18 countries. The growth in the size and scope this year demonstrates that Asia-Pacific nations are unified in the need for cooperation against transnational threats, Rogers said.
"No country is so large that it can do everything on its own," he said. "Neither can one country be so small that it can never contribute to the rest."
Rogers also emphasized and praised the contribution of the Singapore armed forces in expanding the conference and for taking a lead role in fostering regional security cooperation.
(Navy Lt. Cmdr. Chuck Bell serves at U.S. Pacific Command.)
Afghan, Coalition Forces Kill 10 Militants, Detain Six
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 25, 2009 - Afghan forces, aided by coalition troops, killed 10 militants and detained six suspected insurgent fighters today and yesterday, military officials reported. Afghan National Army and coalition forces killed 10 militants yesterday in the Shaheed Hasas district of Afghanistan's Oruzgan province.
The combined forces were conducting a routine patrol when they came under small-arms, mortar and rocket-propelled-grenade fire. They returned fire, killing a militant.
After ensuring no noncombatants were in the area, the combined forces called in a precision strike, which killed nine insurgents.
Afghan soldiers also seized a weapons cache containing bomb-making materials and machine gun ammunition.
No Afghan soldiers, coalition forces or noncombatants were injured.
In Kandahar province today, Afghan National Police and coalition forces detained six suspected militants.
In the province's Maywand district, combined forces conducted an operation to disrupt a bomb network that targeted coalition forces and facilitated the entry of foreign fighters into the province.
During the operation, forces called for noncombatants to exit the buildings. All women and children were moved to a safe location, and forces questioned the military-aged men. Six suspected insurgents were detained while forces protected 13 women and 14 children.
(Compiled from U.S. Forces Afghanistan news releases.)
Feb. 25, 2009 - Afghan forces, aided by coalition troops, killed 10 militants and detained six suspected insurgent fighters today and yesterday, military officials reported. Afghan National Army and coalition forces killed 10 militants yesterday in the Shaheed Hasas district of Afghanistan's Oruzgan province.
The combined forces were conducting a routine patrol when they came under small-arms, mortar and rocket-propelled-grenade fire. They returned fire, killing a militant.
After ensuring no noncombatants were in the area, the combined forces called in a precision strike, which killed nine insurgents.
Afghan soldiers also seized a weapons cache containing bomb-making materials and machine gun ammunition.
No Afghan soldiers, coalition forces or noncombatants were injured.
In Kandahar province today, Afghan National Police and coalition forces detained six suspected militants.
In the province's Maywand district, combined forces conducted an operation to disrupt a bomb network that targeted coalition forces and facilitated the entry of foreign fighters into the province.
During the operation, forces called for noncombatants to exit the buildings. All women and children were moved to a safe location, and forces questioned the military-aged men. Six suspected insurgents were detained while forces protected 13 women and 14 children.
(Compiled from U.S. Forces Afghanistan news releases.)
CBR Weapons and WMD Terrorism News- February 25, 2009
ST-246(r) in combination with the smallpox vaccine acam2000(tm) confers protective immunity in primates
“Technologies, Inc., a company specializing in the development of pharmaceutical agents to fight biowarfare pathogens, today announced the results of a non-human primate study by the Southern Research Institute (SRI) that suggests that ST-246(r) can be used in combination with a well-known smallpox vaccine and may improve the safety profile of the vaccine. […] Pending immunological evaluations will shed further light on the overall impact of concomitant ST-246 administration on vaccine efficacy. This favorable initial primate data should spur further studies to investigate this drug/vaccine combination approach.” (MSNBC; 24Feb09; Source: Globe Newswire)
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29364760/
Warwick University [U.K.] step closer to anthrax [sic] cure
“Researchers at Warwick University have made a discovery that could lead to a cure for the deadly disease anthrax [sic]. They were studying a pathogen which attacks popular house plant African violets and found that there are similarities with the pathogen which causes anthrax [sic] in people. The researchers at the university in Gibbet Hill, Coventry, have found a way to stop the African violet pathogen in its tracks and believe the same method could be used to tackle the anthrax [sic] pathogen in people. […] Their findings are published in scientific journals Nature Chemical Biology and Chemical Communications.” (Coventry Telegraph; 25Feb09)
http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/2009/02/25/warwick-university-step-closer-to-anthrax-cure-92746-23006836/
U.S., Russia plans to destroy chemical arms imperiled by [financial] crisis
“U.S. and Russian commitments to dismantle stockpiles of chemical weapons, which will cost taxpayers more than $20 billion, are challenged by the global economic slowdown, a top United Nations official said. […] The U.S. and Russia, which together own more than 90 percent of the world’s chemical weapons, have until April 2012 […]. Destruction costs are high because [….] ‘you don’t only destroy the chemical, you destroy the metal parts where the chemical was contained and you need to raze the facilities so that nothing which has been in touch with a chemical remains standing’ [said the head of the U.N.’s Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons Rogelio Pfirter].” (Bloomberg News; 24Feb09; Jonathan Tirone) http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aghJzZXxi_FQ&refer=home
Subs ready to prowl for dumped weapons
“The University of Hawaii’s [UH] two submersible craft will descend 900 to 2,000 feet to the ocean floor five miles south of Pearl Harbor starting next week to search for tons of chemical weapons [containers] that were dumped during and after World War II, the Army said. […] The submersibles Pisces IV and Pisces V will conduct 12 dives beginning Monday. UH researchers will take water and sediment samples to see if there are metals from the munitions or any residue of chemical agents, as well as […] observe the effects of more than 60 years on the containers. Included in the ordnance dump were 15,000 M70 115-pound mustard bombs, 1,100 M79 1,000-pound cyanogen chloride bombs and 20 M79 1,000-pound cyanide rounds.
The weapons are in waters up to 10,000 feet deep.” (Honolulu Advertiser; 25Feb09; William Cole)
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20090225/NEWS08/902250379/1018
Protective measures, response actions prepare law enforcement for WMD threats
“Recent reports show that a terrorist attack using such weapons [WMD’s] is likely by the end of 2013. In addition to manmade events, the potential for accidental chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive (CBRNE) hazards also exists. […] The Law Enforcement Protective Measures (LEPM) and Law Enforcement Response Actions (LERA) courses, offered by the Center for Domestic Preparedness [CDP], provide instruction regarding WMD-related topics that include terrorist tactics and targeting, as well as hands-on training designed to show CBRNE-specific response skills. […] The CDP training center is located in Anniston, AL, and offers 39 courses designed for all emergency response disciplines […] [and] is fully funded by FEMA, a component of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.” (Forensic Magazine; 25Feb09)
http://www.forensicmag.com/News_Articles.asp?pid=479
BioNeutral Group, Inc. redefining important multi-billion dollar markets [for chemical technology]
“BioNeutral Group, Inc. [NJ], a chemical technology-based Life Science company intends to commercialize one of the most important advances in disinfectants in the past two decades. BioNeutral has developed a family of disinfectants which have been described as unequaled in the known field of chemistry. […] Ygiene™ kills all bacteria, virus, fungi, mold and spores quickly and without exception […] including Anthrax [sic], Clostridium difficile and Black Mold. […] Product applications include industrial pollution, environmental contaminants, and protection against chemical weapons of mass destruction.” (Businesswire; 24Feb09) http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20090224005726&newsLang=en
India seaports security concern
“The devastating November attack on Mumbai […] could just as easily have eluded detection if they had been carrying a ‘dirty’ nuclear bomb. […] Beyond that kind of operation, containers pose a bigger problem. India’s Naval chief Admiral Suresh Mehta warned last week that ports lack adequate security measures, saying that 70-75 percent of global cargo is shipped in containers which could be successfully used by terrorist organizations to ship weapons of mass destruction or nuclear weapons into India. […] Sources in India’s Intelligence Bureau (IB) have spoken about Indian fears that jihadi terror groups are looking to smuggle ‘loose nukes’ into countries such as India with lax security and anti-terror apparatus. India, the officials say, lacks a well-implemented action plan at the ports […]. Experience shows there is cause for concern.” (Asia Sentinel; 25Feb09; Siddharth Srivastava)
http://asiasentinel.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1742&Itemid=189&limit=1&limitstart=1
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.
“Technologies, Inc., a company specializing in the development of pharmaceutical agents to fight biowarfare pathogens, today announced the results of a non-human primate study by the Southern Research Institute (SRI) that suggests that ST-246(r) can be used in combination with a well-known smallpox vaccine and may improve the safety profile of the vaccine. […] Pending immunological evaluations will shed further light on the overall impact of concomitant ST-246 administration on vaccine efficacy. This favorable initial primate data should spur further studies to investigate this drug/vaccine combination approach.” (MSNBC; 24Feb09; Source: Globe Newswire)
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29364760/
Warwick University [U.K.] step closer to anthrax [sic] cure
“Researchers at Warwick University have made a discovery that could lead to a cure for the deadly disease anthrax [sic]. They were studying a pathogen which attacks popular house plant African violets and found that there are similarities with the pathogen which causes anthrax [sic] in people. The researchers at the university in Gibbet Hill, Coventry, have found a way to stop the African violet pathogen in its tracks and believe the same method could be used to tackle the anthrax [sic] pathogen in people. […] Their findings are published in scientific journals Nature Chemical Biology and Chemical Communications.” (Coventry Telegraph; 25Feb09)
http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/2009/02/25/warwick-university-step-closer-to-anthrax-cure-92746-23006836/
U.S., Russia plans to destroy chemical arms imperiled by [financial] crisis
“U.S. and Russian commitments to dismantle stockpiles of chemical weapons, which will cost taxpayers more than $20 billion, are challenged by the global economic slowdown, a top United Nations official said. […] The U.S. and Russia, which together own more than 90 percent of the world’s chemical weapons, have until April 2012 […]. Destruction costs are high because [….] ‘you don’t only destroy the chemical, you destroy the metal parts where the chemical was contained and you need to raze the facilities so that nothing which has been in touch with a chemical remains standing’ [said the head of the U.N.’s Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons Rogelio Pfirter].” (Bloomberg News; 24Feb09; Jonathan Tirone) http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aghJzZXxi_FQ&refer=home
Subs ready to prowl for dumped weapons
“The University of Hawaii’s [UH] two submersible craft will descend 900 to 2,000 feet to the ocean floor five miles south of Pearl Harbor starting next week to search for tons of chemical weapons [containers] that were dumped during and after World War II, the Army said. […] The submersibles Pisces IV and Pisces V will conduct 12 dives beginning Monday. UH researchers will take water and sediment samples to see if there are metals from the munitions or any residue of chemical agents, as well as […] observe the effects of more than 60 years on the containers. Included in the ordnance dump were 15,000 M70 115-pound mustard bombs, 1,100 M79 1,000-pound cyanogen chloride bombs and 20 M79 1,000-pound cyanide rounds.
The weapons are in waters up to 10,000 feet deep.” (Honolulu Advertiser; 25Feb09; William Cole)
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20090225/NEWS08/902250379/1018
Protective measures, response actions prepare law enforcement for WMD threats
“Recent reports show that a terrorist attack using such weapons [WMD’s] is likely by the end of 2013. In addition to manmade events, the potential for accidental chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive (CBRNE) hazards also exists. […] The Law Enforcement Protective Measures (LEPM) and Law Enforcement Response Actions (LERA) courses, offered by the Center for Domestic Preparedness [CDP], provide instruction regarding WMD-related topics that include terrorist tactics and targeting, as well as hands-on training designed to show CBRNE-specific response skills. […] The CDP training center is located in Anniston, AL, and offers 39 courses designed for all emergency response disciplines […] [and] is fully funded by FEMA, a component of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.” (Forensic Magazine; 25Feb09)
http://www.forensicmag.com/News_Articles.asp?pid=479
BioNeutral Group, Inc. redefining important multi-billion dollar markets [for chemical technology]
“BioNeutral Group, Inc. [NJ], a chemical technology-based Life Science company intends to commercialize one of the most important advances in disinfectants in the past two decades. BioNeutral has developed a family of disinfectants which have been described as unequaled in the known field of chemistry. […] Ygiene™ kills all bacteria, virus, fungi, mold and spores quickly and without exception […] including Anthrax [sic], Clostridium difficile and Black Mold. […] Product applications include industrial pollution, environmental contaminants, and protection against chemical weapons of mass destruction.” (Businesswire; 24Feb09) http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20090224005726&newsLang=en
India seaports security concern
“The devastating November attack on Mumbai […] could just as easily have eluded detection if they had been carrying a ‘dirty’ nuclear bomb. […] Beyond that kind of operation, containers pose a bigger problem. India’s Naval chief Admiral Suresh Mehta warned last week that ports lack adequate security measures, saying that 70-75 percent of global cargo is shipped in containers which could be successfully used by terrorist organizations to ship weapons of mass destruction or nuclear weapons into India. […] Sources in India’s Intelligence Bureau (IB) have spoken about Indian fears that jihadi terror groups are looking to smuggle ‘loose nukes’ into countries such as India with lax security and anti-terror apparatus. India, the officials say, lacks a well-implemented action plan at the ports […]. Experience shows there is cause for concern.” (Asia Sentinel; 25Feb09; Siddharth Srivastava)
http://asiasentinel.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1742&Itemid=189&limit=1&limitstart=1
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.
Kuwait Logistics Center Improves Supply Pipeline to Afghanistan
By Beth Reece
Special to American Forces Press Service
Feb. 24, 2009 - As 17,000 soldiers and Marines ordered to Afghanistan by President Barack Obama prepare to deploy this spring and summer, logisticians already are orchestrating the shipment of such critical supplies as food and lumber. The Defense Logistics Agency here has been working with U.S. Central Command's Deployment Distribution Operations Center in Kuwait since January to support the troop increase requested last year by U.S. Forces Afghanistan Commander Gen. David D. McKiernan, Navy Rear Adm. Mark Heinrich, director of DLA's Logistics Operations and Readiness Directorate, said.
The operations center merges experts from U.S. Transportation Command, Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command, Army Materiel Command, DLA and service components. Together, they plan the most efficient and timely movement of supplies to troops.
"We're planning for increased demands of food subsistence, building supplies, spare parts and packaged petroleum products in Afghanistan," Heinrich said. "All of our supply centers are deeply involved with the CDDOC and working closely with DLA support teams in Kuwait."
Defense Supply Center Philadelphia is partnering with the operations center to ensure collapsible housing units are sent where needed.
"The [distribution center in Kuwait] is playing a role in metering the flow — some by air, some by ship — and getting them to where they need to be to meet warfighters' requirements," Heinrich said. "The fact that they're doing that and have visibility, and we know who to talk to there, has been very beneficial to DLA.
Heinrich, who headed the operations center during a voluntary five-month deployment last year, said the arrangement is working because the right people are working together in the right ways. "Our response to warfighters is greater because DLA and its strategic partners have put boots on the ground over there, which allows us to fuse our information and be persistent," he said.
The operations center is the first of its kind to be used in wartime, Heinrich said. It was established in 2004 at Centcom's request, with the goal of achieving shorter delivery times and lower costs.
The admiral said he believes the center already has made big improvements. The center lets DLA members see how the supplies they procure are actually sent to customers, he said, which challenges them to evaluate agency processes and occasionally make adjustments that speed delivery.
For example, he said, small changes at the Defense Distribution Depot Kuwait, Southwest Asia, shortened the time it takes to prepare pallets for shipment.
"DDKS produces about 60 pallets each day for air delivery, and when you send a pallet via air, there's an expectation that it's going to get there fast," Heinrich said. Pallets built at the depot were being weighed and measured on the airfield, then offered for bid to commercial carriers.
"But the CDDOC started looking at the process and asked, 'What if we did all this at DDKS?'" he said. "'Can we improve the process?'"
Two months later, the depot had installed the Air Mobility Command's Global Air Transportation Execution System, which gives visibility of pallets awaiting shipment.
"So we were able to report those air pallets as soon as they were built at DDKS to the people who offer them to commercial carriers," Heinrich said. "What took about seven and a half days now takes about two days."
Partnerships generated at the center are being used now as the depot assumes management of a formerly Navy-owned warehouse in Bahrain.
"Today, when folks in Bahrain requisition material from Kuwait, we fly it at a cost of about $1.98 a pound," he said. "Now that we have a warehouse in Bahrain, we can fill it with material from Kuwait and, working with Transcom, we can truck it, and it will only cost us about 10 cents a pound."
The center also has improved end-to-end distribution by increasing cargo visibility and maximizing airlift assets. And by initiating the use of "pure pallets," which contain items for one customer only, the center eliminated the need to break down and repackage cargo for specific users in theater.
"The CDDOC plays an important role in synchronizing operations right there on the ground," Heinrich said.
"The future for CDDOC is limitless, and I feel lucky to have been a part of its beginning," he added. "It's made me a better logistician and a stronger member of the DLA team."
(Beth Reece works for Defense Logistics Agency public affairs.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Feb. 24, 2009 - As 17,000 soldiers and Marines ordered to Afghanistan by President Barack Obama prepare to deploy this spring and summer, logisticians already are orchestrating the shipment of such critical supplies as food and lumber. The Defense Logistics Agency here has been working with U.S. Central Command's Deployment Distribution Operations Center in Kuwait since January to support the troop increase requested last year by U.S. Forces Afghanistan Commander Gen. David D. McKiernan, Navy Rear Adm. Mark Heinrich, director of DLA's Logistics Operations and Readiness Directorate, said.
The operations center merges experts from U.S. Transportation Command, Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command, Army Materiel Command, DLA and service components. Together, they plan the most efficient and timely movement of supplies to troops.
"We're planning for increased demands of food subsistence, building supplies, spare parts and packaged petroleum products in Afghanistan," Heinrich said. "All of our supply centers are deeply involved with the CDDOC and working closely with DLA support teams in Kuwait."
Defense Supply Center Philadelphia is partnering with the operations center to ensure collapsible housing units are sent where needed.
"The [distribution center in Kuwait] is playing a role in metering the flow — some by air, some by ship — and getting them to where they need to be to meet warfighters' requirements," Heinrich said. "The fact that they're doing that and have visibility, and we know who to talk to there, has been very beneficial to DLA.
Heinrich, who headed the operations center during a voluntary five-month deployment last year, said the arrangement is working because the right people are working together in the right ways. "Our response to warfighters is greater because DLA and its strategic partners have put boots on the ground over there, which allows us to fuse our information and be persistent," he said.
The operations center is the first of its kind to be used in wartime, Heinrich said. It was established in 2004 at Centcom's request, with the goal of achieving shorter delivery times and lower costs.
The admiral said he believes the center already has made big improvements. The center lets DLA members see how the supplies they procure are actually sent to customers, he said, which challenges them to evaluate agency processes and occasionally make adjustments that speed delivery.
For example, he said, small changes at the Defense Distribution Depot Kuwait, Southwest Asia, shortened the time it takes to prepare pallets for shipment.
"DDKS produces about 60 pallets each day for air delivery, and when you send a pallet via air, there's an expectation that it's going to get there fast," Heinrich said. Pallets built at the depot were being weighed and measured on the airfield, then offered for bid to commercial carriers.
"But the CDDOC started looking at the process and asked, 'What if we did all this at DDKS?'" he said. "'Can we improve the process?'"
Two months later, the depot had installed the Air Mobility Command's Global Air Transportation Execution System, which gives visibility of pallets awaiting shipment.
"So we were able to report those air pallets as soon as they were built at DDKS to the people who offer them to commercial carriers," Heinrich said. "What took about seven and a half days now takes about two days."
Partnerships generated at the center are being used now as the depot assumes management of a formerly Navy-owned warehouse in Bahrain.
"Today, when folks in Bahrain requisition material from Kuwait, we fly it at a cost of about $1.98 a pound," he said. "Now that we have a warehouse in Bahrain, we can fill it with material from Kuwait and, working with Transcom, we can truck it, and it will only cost us about 10 cents a pound."
The center also has improved end-to-end distribution by increasing cargo visibility and maximizing airlift assets. And by initiating the use of "pure pallets," which contain items for one customer only, the center eliminated the need to break down and repackage cargo for specific users in theater.
"The CDDOC plays an important role in synchronizing operations right there on the ground," Heinrich said.
"The future for CDDOC is limitless, and I feel lucky to have been a part of its beginning," he added. "It's made me a better logistician and a stronger member of the DLA team."
(Beth Reece works for Defense Logistics Agency public affairs.)
Face of Defense: Marine Journalist Proves Self in Changing Environment
By Army Spc. Matthew Thompson
Special to American Forces Press Service
Feb. 24, 2009 - It's not unusual for servicemembers to find themselves in new jobs during deployments. But what sets each one apart is how they handle those transitions. Those who work with Marine Corps Cpl. Kimberly Crawford say she is an example of how to make the most of changing situations – and impress those around her.
"Not many people can walk into a job and hit the ground running, and do what she has done," said Air Force Staff Sgt. Jeff St. Sauveur, an American Forces Network producer who works with Crawford here. "She takes everything you throw at her and makes it awesome."
When Crawford arrived in Afghanistan five months ago, she discovered that a Marine Corps combat correspondent is a multitasking career. After reporting to the American Forces Network detachment here, the print journalist from Camp Lejeune, N.C., discovered that the skills she knew were not the only skills she would need.
Crawford said the job description cited a need for a combat correspondent – a print journalist. But about a week before she got here, she said, realized the need was for a broadcaster.
"They almost pulled me off the deployment," Crawford said. "But the Marine Corps' chief of public affairs said that I had been training for this, so I got to deploy here." Just as any other servicemember would be expected to do, the 24-year-old Oswego, N.Y. native quickly learned to adapt to her new surroundings.
Crawford demonstrated her commitment to becoming a solid broadcaster while covering her first solo project, the Super Bowl telecast at Bagram. That one story, according to Air Force Tech. Sgt. Deidre Hines, AFN Afghanistan's station manager, was seen by millions of viewers worldwide and demonstrated how far Crawford had come as a broadcast journalist.
"She's shown drastic improvement from what she was doing when she first started," St. Sauveur said.
When Crawford became a Marine, she wasn't interested in being a broadcaster.
"I avoided broadcasting when I was at the Defense Information School," Crawford said. "I didn't think I would like it, [and] didn't see the artistic view. But [then] I saw that the video camera wasn't much different from a still camera."
Crawford not only had to learn how to use a video camera and broadcast-editing equipment, she also had to lose her accent, something she describes as a cross between southern and upstate New York.
Crawford remains humble despite the praise she has been given by her co-workers.
"They have all helped me out. They were nice and patient and made it fun to learn," she said.
"We count on her, depend on her and we know she will get the job done," Air Force Senior Airman Thomas Kennedy, another producer who works with Crawford, said. "It's been remarkable working with her."
(Army Spc. Matthew Thompson serves with the 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Feb. 24, 2009 - It's not unusual for servicemembers to find themselves in new jobs during deployments. But what sets each one apart is how they handle those transitions. Those who work with Marine Corps Cpl. Kimberly Crawford say she is an example of how to make the most of changing situations – and impress those around her.
"Not many people can walk into a job and hit the ground running, and do what she has done," said Air Force Staff Sgt. Jeff St. Sauveur, an American Forces Network producer who works with Crawford here. "She takes everything you throw at her and makes it awesome."
When Crawford arrived in Afghanistan five months ago, she discovered that a Marine Corps combat correspondent is a multitasking career. After reporting to the American Forces Network detachment here, the print journalist from Camp Lejeune, N.C., discovered that the skills she knew were not the only skills she would need.
Crawford said the job description cited a need for a combat correspondent – a print journalist. But about a week before she got here, she said, realized the need was for a broadcaster.
"They almost pulled me off the deployment," Crawford said. "But the Marine Corps' chief of public affairs said that I had been training for this, so I got to deploy here." Just as any other servicemember would be expected to do, the 24-year-old Oswego, N.Y. native quickly learned to adapt to her new surroundings.
Crawford demonstrated her commitment to becoming a solid broadcaster while covering her first solo project, the Super Bowl telecast at Bagram. That one story, according to Air Force Tech. Sgt. Deidre Hines, AFN Afghanistan's station manager, was seen by millions of viewers worldwide and demonstrated how far Crawford had come as a broadcast journalist.
"She's shown drastic improvement from what she was doing when she first started," St. Sauveur said.
When Crawford became a Marine, she wasn't interested in being a broadcaster.
"I avoided broadcasting when I was at the Defense Information School," Crawford said. "I didn't think I would like it, [and] didn't see the artistic view. But [then] I saw that the video camera wasn't much different from a still camera."
Crawford not only had to learn how to use a video camera and broadcast-editing equipment, she also had to lose her accent, something she describes as a cross between southern and upstate New York.
Crawford remains humble despite the praise she has been given by her co-workers.
"They have all helped me out. They were nice and patient and made it fun to learn," she said.
"We count on her, depend on her and we know she will get the job done," Air Force Senior Airman Thomas Kennedy, another producer who works with Crawford, said. "It's been remarkable working with her."
(Army Spc. Matthew Thompson serves with the 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.)
Afghan, Coalition Forces Kill 16 Militants
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 24, 2009 - Soldiers from the Afghan National Army, aided by coalition forces, killed 16 militants in Afghanistan's Helmand province yesterday, military officials reported.
The combined forces were conducting a routine patrol when their convoy came under heavy small-arms fire. The forces responded with small-arms fire. The militants then began firing mortars and rocket-propelled grenades.
As the threat escalated, the forces responded with several precision strikes to kill the militant. Prior to the strikes, the forces assured there were no noncombatants in the area.
Following the strike, the Afghan National Army cleared the compound from which the militants had been firing. The combined forces discovered bomb-making materials, which they destroyed in place.
No Afghan or coalition forces or noncombatant casualties were reported, official said.
Feb. 24, 2009 - Soldiers from the Afghan National Army, aided by coalition forces, killed 16 militants in Afghanistan's Helmand province yesterday, military officials reported.
The combined forces were conducting a routine patrol when their convoy came under heavy small-arms fire. The forces responded with small-arms fire. The militants then began firing mortars and rocket-propelled grenades.
As the threat escalated, the forces responded with several precision strikes to kill the militant. Prior to the strikes, the forces assured there were no noncombatants in the area.
Following the strike, the Afghan National Army cleared the compound from which the militants had been firing. The combined forces discovered bomb-making materials, which they destroyed in place.
No Afghan or coalition forces or noncombatant casualties were reported, official said.
On the Ground: Donations Provide Wheelchairs, School Supplies to Iraqis
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 24, 2009 - Thousands of Iraqis are benefiting from U.S. humanitarian efforts, with a donation of 2,000 wheelchairs in northern Iraq and the gift of school supplies in eastern Baghdad. In Babil province, representatives from the Babil Provincial Reconstruction Team, community groups and several U.S. aid organizations presented 25 new wheelchairs to patients in need Feb. 19 at the Babil Rehabilitation Center in Hillah, Iraq.
The 25 wheelchairs are the first of 2,000 slated to be distributed to Iraqis throughout the province, said Army Capt. Pam Foley of Army civil affairs in Hillah.
The wheelchairs, donated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, include 1,500 "Rough Riders" designed for rugged terrain and 500 standard wheelchairs for hospital patients.
PRT members helped to coordinate the humanitarian effort and the donation ceremony.
"I would like to thank the coordinator of the provincial reconstruction team in Babil province, Mr. Ken Hillas, for this occasion, and we value your efforts in this province," Gov. Salem Saleh al-Maslamawi said. "We have high hopes that the Americans and other officials in Iraq that are committed to alleviating suffering will pull together our efforts to end their suffering."
The donation will go a long way toward increasing the self-sufficiency of Iraqi patients, Army Lt. Col. Doil O'Steen, commander of the 413th Civil Affairs Battalion, said.
"There are 25 percent of these people who require wheelchairs as a minimum treatment requirement," O'Steen said. "Therefore, the donation of wheelchairs will go a long way toward helping the disabled of Babil province interact with the world around them and to lead productive lives."
All 2,000 wheelchairs are scheduled to be distributed by April.
In other humanitarian efforts, Multinational Division Baghdad paratroopers and Iraqi security forces distributed school supplies Feb. 19 to students from two schools in eastern Baghdad's Nissan district.
The paratroopers, from the 82nd Airborne Division's 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, delivered gifts of crayons, notebooks, markers, pencils, coloring books, finger paints and toys to students in Oubaidy. The paratroopers' family members at Fort Bragg, N.C., donated the supplies.
"I appreciate these items for the children," the headmaster of the Al Assal kindergarten said. "We are very thankful."
Paratroopers have teamed up with Iraqi security forces in several humanitarian events to improve the lives of district residents.
"Events like this will allow the local residents' mood to change, because they are seeing that we are here to provide security for them, and we are here to help their children get a better education," Army Capt. Agustin Dominguez, the battalion's fire support officer, said.
The combined forces plan to visit several more schools in upcoming weeks, with donations ranging from fans and chalkboards to basic school supplies.
"They are looking for our help to improve the overall quality of the area schools, and we are going to do what we can to see that their wishes are met," Dominguez said.
(From Multinational Corps Iraq news releases. Army Staff Sgt. Alex Licea of the 82nd Airborne Division's 3rd Brigade Combat Team and Army Capt. Stephen Short of the 172nd Infantry Brigade contributed to this article.)
Feb. 24, 2009 - Thousands of Iraqis are benefiting from U.S. humanitarian efforts, with a donation of 2,000 wheelchairs in northern Iraq and the gift of school supplies in eastern Baghdad. In Babil province, representatives from the Babil Provincial Reconstruction Team, community groups and several U.S. aid organizations presented 25 new wheelchairs to patients in need Feb. 19 at the Babil Rehabilitation Center in Hillah, Iraq.
The 25 wheelchairs are the first of 2,000 slated to be distributed to Iraqis throughout the province, said Army Capt. Pam Foley of Army civil affairs in Hillah.
The wheelchairs, donated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, include 1,500 "Rough Riders" designed for rugged terrain and 500 standard wheelchairs for hospital patients.
PRT members helped to coordinate the humanitarian effort and the donation ceremony.
"I would like to thank the coordinator of the provincial reconstruction team in Babil province, Mr. Ken Hillas, for this occasion, and we value your efforts in this province," Gov. Salem Saleh al-Maslamawi said. "We have high hopes that the Americans and other officials in Iraq that are committed to alleviating suffering will pull together our efforts to end their suffering."
The donation will go a long way toward increasing the self-sufficiency of Iraqi patients, Army Lt. Col. Doil O'Steen, commander of the 413th Civil Affairs Battalion, said.
"There are 25 percent of these people who require wheelchairs as a minimum treatment requirement," O'Steen said. "Therefore, the donation of wheelchairs will go a long way toward helping the disabled of Babil province interact with the world around them and to lead productive lives."
All 2,000 wheelchairs are scheduled to be distributed by April.
In other humanitarian efforts, Multinational Division Baghdad paratroopers and Iraqi security forces distributed school supplies Feb. 19 to students from two schools in eastern Baghdad's Nissan district.
The paratroopers, from the 82nd Airborne Division's 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, delivered gifts of crayons, notebooks, markers, pencils, coloring books, finger paints and toys to students in Oubaidy. The paratroopers' family members at Fort Bragg, N.C., donated the supplies.
"I appreciate these items for the children," the headmaster of the Al Assal kindergarten said. "We are very thankful."
Paratroopers have teamed up with Iraqi security forces in several humanitarian events to improve the lives of district residents.
"Events like this will allow the local residents' mood to change, because they are seeing that we are here to provide security for them, and we are here to help their children get a better education," Army Capt. Agustin Dominguez, the battalion's fire support officer, said.
The combined forces plan to visit several more schools in upcoming weeks, with donations ranging from fans and chalkboards to basic school supplies.
"They are looking for our help to improve the overall quality of the area schools, and we are going to do what we can to see that their wishes are met," Dominguez said.
(From Multinational Corps Iraq news releases. Army Staff Sgt. Alex Licea of the 82nd Airborne Division's 3rd Brigade Combat Team and Army Capt. Stephen Short of the 172nd Infantry Brigade contributed to this article.)
On the Ground: U.S. Forces Help Afghans Combat Winter Weather
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 24, 2009 - U.S. forces are helping Afghans tough out severe winter weather. In recent efforts, U.S. forces aided Afghans in a snowstorm-struck province, provided kits to weather future storms and donated supplies to residents in need.
Members of the Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team provided humanitarian assistance after a snowstorm killed three people, injured two and displaced 18 families in the province's Paryan district.
The snowstorm affected 111 villages and nearly 46,000 residents in the district, officials said, as well as 60,000 cows, sheep and goats. The storm blocked roads and damaged buildings and other structures, hindering emergency response.
Gov. Alhaj G. Bahlol coordinated efforts among various sectors including public health, agriculture, the Afghan National Police and the PRT to quickly position relief supplies for displaced families and villages cut off from access to the main road.
While the provincial and district leaders planned logistics, the PRT provided supplies including blankets, clothes, boots, charcoal and flour.
"The winter is a challenging season for the people living in these remote villages," said Army Master Sgt. Blue Rowe, PRT civil affairs noncommissioned officer in charge. "As a good neighbor, when situations like this happen, we like to do what we can to assist as soon as possible."
The PRT is working to make future winters easier for the valley's 300,000 residents through the construction of a 40-mile main road that will connect Panjshir to the Badakhshan province, opening economic opportunities. Side roads also will be paved, connecting remote villages to the main road.
Once complete, the road projects will improve the provincial government's ability to respond to emergencies by providing easier access to the population.
In Konar province, residents are gaining tools to combat the winter weather as well, thanks to the efforts of the U.S. Agency for International Development.
The agency has distributed more than 1,000 winterization kits throughout the province. Each kit contains blankets, coats, stoves and other winter-survival items.
The initial distribution took place in Konar's northern districts. Five districts each received 200 kits. The local Konar government provided transportation to the remote Manogai, Nari, Chapa Dara, Dangam and Ghazi Abad districts so district governors could distribute the items.
"Ghazi Abad, Nari and Asmar have been the PRT's focus for humanitarian assistance distribution programs through the Konar government. We have been working with our USAID counterparts so that together we create the biggest positive impact possible," Army Spc. David Saenz, Konar PRT member, said. "Distributing through the local Konar government has enabled us to reach the people who need this help the most."
The supplies can prove vital to survival, particularly in the more remote areas.
"Many locals have not travelled more than 20 miles from their village, have never seen a city and do not have access to electricity," Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Randall McGee, Konar PRT member, said. "However, the expanding Afghanistan government, with the help of USAID, has been working to help these secluded families receive goods and services to survive the winter."
More than 1,000 additional kits will be sent to Konar province to be distributed to other districts.
In other humanitarian efforts, servicemembers from Forward Operating Base Lightning and members of the Afghan National Army are working together to provide humanitarian assistance to local villagers.
Through donations from various Web sites, churches and the Boy Scouts of America, FOB Lightning volunteers are assembling packages of winter clothes, food, toys, school supplies and shoes for Afghans.
"We are trying to help people any way we can," Army Command Sgt. Maj. Richard Magnum of the 1st Infantry Division's 3rd Brigade Combat Team said.
"It defies belief of what they don't have," Army Col. Kevin Hulett of the Illinois National Guard said. "There are kids around our [forward operating base] with no shoes, no socks in 2 or 3 inches of snow."
A small gift goes a long way, Hulett said. "The children are elated. They are all smiles. A bag of pencils, a bag of crayons, a little notebook or a Hot Wheels car are a treasured item to these children."
(From U.S. Forces Afghanistan and NATO's International Security Assistance Force Afghanistan news releases. Navy Lt. j.g. James Dietle of 1st Infantry Division's 3rd Brigade Combat Team, Army Capt. Stacie Shafran of the Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team and Army Pfc. Derek Kuhn of the 40th Public Affairs Detachment contributed to this article.)
Feb. 24, 2009 - U.S. forces are helping Afghans tough out severe winter weather. In recent efforts, U.S. forces aided Afghans in a snowstorm-struck province, provided kits to weather future storms and donated supplies to residents in need.
Members of the Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team provided humanitarian assistance after a snowstorm killed three people, injured two and displaced 18 families in the province's Paryan district.
The snowstorm affected 111 villages and nearly 46,000 residents in the district, officials said, as well as 60,000 cows, sheep and goats. The storm blocked roads and damaged buildings and other structures, hindering emergency response.
Gov. Alhaj G. Bahlol coordinated efforts among various sectors including public health, agriculture, the Afghan National Police and the PRT to quickly position relief supplies for displaced families and villages cut off from access to the main road.
While the provincial and district leaders planned logistics, the PRT provided supplies including blankets, clothes, boots, charcoal and flour.
"The winter is a challenging season for the people living in these remote villages," said Army Master Sgt. Blue Rowe, PRT civil affairs noncommissioned officer in charge. "As a good neighbor, when situations like this happen, we like to do what we can to assist as soon as possible."
The PRT is working to make future winters easier for the valley's 300,000 residents through the construction of a 40-mile main road that will connect Panjshir to the Badakhshan province, opening economic opportunities. Side roads also will be paved, connecting remote villages to the main road.
Once complete, the road projects will improve the provincial government's ability to respond to emergencies by providing easier access to the population.
In Konar province, residents are gaining tools to combat the winter weather as well, thanks to the efforts of the U.S. Agency for International Development.
The agency has distributed more than 1,000 winterization kits throughout the province. Each kit contains blankets, coats, stoves and other winter-survival items.
The initial distribution took place in Konar's northern districts. Five districts each received 200 kits. The local Konar government provided transportation to the remote Manogai, Nari, Chapa Dara, Dangam and Ghazi Abad districts so district governors could distribute the items.
"Ghazi Abad, Nari and Asmar have been the PRT's focus for humanitarian assistance distribution programs through the Konar government. We have been working with our USAID counterparts so that together we create the biggest positive impact possible," Army Spc. David Saenz, Konar PRT member, said. "Distributing through the local Konar government has enabled us to reach the people who need this help the most."
The supplies can prove vital to survival, particularly in the more remote areas.
"Many locals have not travelled more than 20 miles from their village, have never seen a city and do not have access to electricity," Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Randall McGee, Konar PRT member, said. "However, the expanding Afghanistan government, with the help of USAID, has been working to help these secluded families receive goods and services to survive the winter."
More than 1,000 additional kits will be sent to Konar province to be distributed to other districts.
In other humanitarian efforts, servicemembers from Forward Operating Base Lightning and members of the Afghan National Army are working together to provide humanitarian assistance to local villagers.
Through donations from various Web sites, churches and the Boy Scouts of America, FOB Lightning volunteers are assembling packages of winter clothes, food, toys, school supplies and shoes for Afghans.
"We are trying to help people any way we can," Army Command Sgt. Maj. Richard Magnum of the 1st Infantry Division's 3rd Brigade Combat Team said.
"It defies belief of what they don't have," Army Col. Kevin Hulett of the Illinois National Guard said. "There are kids around our [forward operating base] with no shoes, no socks in 2 or 3 inches of snow."
A small gift goes a long way, Hulett said. "The children are elated. They are all smiles. A bag of pencils, a bag of crayons, a little notebook or a Hot Wheels car are a treasured item to these children."
(From U.S. Forces Afghanistan and NATO's International Security Assistance Force Afghanistan news releases. Navy Lt. j.g. James Dietle of 1st Infantry Division's 3rd Brigade Combat Team, Army Capt. Stacie Shafran of the Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team and Army Pfc. Derek Kuhn of the 40th Public Affairs Detachment contributed to this article.)
Mardi Gras Spirit Sent to Louisiana Guardsmen in Iraq
By Army Staff Sgt. Stephanie J. Cross
Special to American Forces Press Service
Feb. 24, 2009 - Louisiana National Guard members serving in Iraq had some traditional Fat Tuesday fun today when a support group from their home state sent the Mardi Gras revelry to them. "Okay, Louisianans and Mardi Gras enthusiasts everywhere, time to spread the love!" exclaimed Greta M. Perry, Louisiana state coordinator for the support group Soldiers' Angels. "We have Louisiana Guardsmen who have been in Iraq for a while and could use some Mardi Gras cheer."
For the second year in a row, volunteers from Soldiers' Angels, in conjunction with the Louisiana Family Readiness Group, sent the carnival spirit to deployed Louisiana National Guard soldiers. Care packages included Louisiana food, costumes and masks, decorations and music, along with beads and cups, which traditionally are tossed from floats.
This year, 1st Battalion, 244th Aviation Regiment of Hammond, La., was chosen as the recipient of Operation Overseas Mardi Gras 2009. The unit currently is deployed to Balad, Iraq.
Amry Capt. Mark S. Parent, who deployed in 2005 with Company E, 111th Aviation Regiment of Alexandria, La., said his unit did not receive donated Mardi Gras decorations while deployed, but he took it upon himself to carry on the Louisiana tradition by celebrating the Mardi Gras holiday while in Iraq.
"I can't explain how much of a morale boost it was for the troops as we drove around Iraq during Mardi Gras in a Humvee decorated with beads and feathers," Parent, rear detachment commander for the battalion, said. "We tossed Zapp's potato chips to the crowd as we listened to a boom box playing Mardi Gras music.
"That was the high point of our deployment, with the exception of when it was time to come home," the Baton Rouge, La., resident added.
Parent stressed what a joy it will be for the soldiers deployed with the 1st battalion to receive support from friends and family through Mardi Gras care packages.
"I hope that the unit can encourage everyone around them to have fun and spread a little Mardi Gras cheer to those who are unfamiliar with the holiday Louisianans have grown to love," he said.
Last year, in an effort to send Mardi Gras merriment to deployed troops, Soldiers' Angels sent decorations and party supplies to companies of the 769th Engineer Battalion from Baton Rouge, which was then on a 12-month deployment in Iraq.
"Our goal this year is to have each soldier deployed with the 1/244th receive a package. If enough items are gathered, an additional Guard unit will be added. We are encouraging people throughout the state to get involved," Perry explained.
(Army Staff Sgt. Stephanie J. Cross serves with the Louisiana National Guard).
Special to American Forces Press Service
Feb. 24, 2009 - Louisiana National Guard members serving in Iraq had some traditional Fat Tuesday fun today when a support group from their home state sent the Mardi Gras revelry to them. "Okay, Louisianans and Mardi Gras enthusiasts everywhere, time to spread the love!" exclaimed Greta M. Perry, Louisiana state coordinator for the support group Soldiers' Angels. "We have Louisiana Guardsmen who have been in Iraq for a while and could use some Mardi Gras cheer."
For the second year in a row, volunteers from Soldiers' Angels, in conjunction with the Louisiana Family Readiness Group, sent the carnival spirit to deployed Louisiana National Guard soldiers. Care packages included Louisiana food, costumes and masks, decorations and music, along with beads and cups, which traditionally are tossed from floats.
This year, 1st Battalion, 244th Aviation Regiment of Hammond, La., was chosen as the recipient of Operation Overseas Mardi Gras 2009. The unit currently is deployed to Balad, Iraq.
Amry Capt. Mark S. Parent, who deployed in 2005 with Company E, 111th Aviation Regiment of Alexandria, La., said his unit did not receive donated Mardi Gras decorations while deployed, but he took it upon himself to carry on the Louisiana tradition by celebrating the Mardi Gras holiday while in Iraq.
"I can't explain how much of a morale boost it was for the troops as we drove around Iraq during Mardi Gras in a Humvee decorated with beads and feathers," Parent, rear detachment commander for the battalion, said. "We tossed Zapp's potato chips to the crowd as we listened to a boom box playing Mardi Gras music.
"That was the high point of our deployment, with the exception of when it was time to come home," the Baton Rouge, La., resident added.
Parent stressed what a joy it will be for the soldiers deployed with the 1st battalion to receive support from friends and family through Mardi Gras care packages.
"I hope that the unit can encourage everyone around them to have fun and spread a little Mardi Gras cheer to those who are unfamiliar with the holiday Louisianans have grown to love," he said.
Last year, in an effort to send Mardi Gras merriment to deployed troops, Soldiers' Angels sent decorations and party supplies to companies of the 769th Engineer Battalion from Baton Rouge, which was then on a 12-month deployment in Iraq.
"Our goal this year is to have each soldier deployed with the 1/244th receive a package. If enough items are gathered, an additional Guard unit will be added. We are encouraging people throughout the state to get involved," Perry explained.
(Army Staff Sgt. Stephanie J. Cross serves with the Louisiana National Guard).
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Military Opens Mental Health Clinic for Troops in Afghanistan
By Army Spc. Boris Shiloff
Special to American Forces Press Service
Feb. 23, 2009 - Servicemembers in Afghanistan now have a place to turn to cope with the toughest aspects of deployment when they need it most. The Bagram Freedom Restoration Center here is the first mental health clinic for troops in Afghanistan. The center's main goal is to give servicemembers skills to cope with combat stress and the rigors of deployment, and return them to duty quickly.
"We are tapping into things that [servicemembers] possibly already know, or offering them new skills and techniques they can use at the forward operating base or combat outpost, or after they separate from the military," said Air Force Tech. Sgt. Mirabel Meekins, the clinic's operations noncommissioned officer in charge.
The clinic hosts a three- to five-day structured program covering many topics, including anger management, common task training, post-traumatic stress disorder awareness and warrior resiliency.
The program has a standard outline for all enrolled servicemembers, but also can be tailored to the specific needs of individuals. The skills and information the servicemember receives from the clinic helps throughout the deployment, but can last long past that, officials said.
The center's focus on quickly returning a servicemember to duty is one of the key aspects of the program. Prior to the clinic's opening, servicemembers in Afghanistan had only two options to address mental health issues. One was to spend a few days of rest and relaxation or light duty at their respective base, and then return to duty. The other was to be evaluated, and if further treatment was needed, the servicemember was sent to Germany or the United States for additional care.
"This fills that in-between gap of people that need a little bit more, but they don't need the whole enchilada," Air Force Col. (Dr.) David Geyer, Task Force Med commander, said.
The program takes many of the components of similar programs in Iraq, and tailors them to the Afghanistan area of responsibility.
A mixture of Air Force and Army mental health and occupational therapy professionals makes up the clinic staff. It's staffed 24 hours a day, and all members of the staff are involved in helping the servicemember get back to duty.
"We're really pleased to have this center," Geyer said. "We're looking forward to the ability to provide the same kind of service that other servicemembers have had the benefit of in the Iraqi theater."
(Army Spc. Boris Shiloff serves in the 40th Public Affairs Detachment.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Feb. 23, 2009 - Servicemembers in Afghanistan now have a place to turn to cope with the toughest aspects of deployment when they need it most. The Bagram Freedom Restoration Center here is the first mental health clinic for troops in Afghanistan. The center's main goal is to give servicemembers skills to cope with combat stress and the rigors of deployment, and return them to duty quickly.
"We are tapping into things that [servicemembers] possibly already know, or offering them new skills and techniques they can use at the forward operating base or combat outpost, or after they separate from the military," said Air Force Tech. Sgt. Mirabel Meekins, the clinic's operations noncommissioned officer in charge.
The clinic hosts a three- to five-day structured program covering many topics, including anger management, common task training, post-traumatic stress disorder awareness and warrior resiliency.
The program has a standard outline for all enrolled servicemembers, but also can be tailored to the specific needs of individuals. The skills and information the servicemember receives from the clinic helps throughout the deployment, but can last long past that, officials said.
The center's focus on quickly returning a servicemember to duty is one of the key aspects of the program. Prior to the clinic's opening, servicemembers in Afghanistan had only two options to address mental health issues. One was to spend a few days of rest and relaxation or light duty at their respective base, and then return to duty. The other was to be evaluated, and if further treatment was needed, the servicemember was sent to Germany or the United States for additional care.
"This fills that in-between gap of people that need a little bit more, but they don't need the whole enchilada," Air Force Col. (Dr.) David Geyer, Task Force Med commander, said.
The program takes many of the components of similar programs in Iraq, and tailors them to the Afghanistan area of responsibility.
A mixture of Air Force and Army mental health and occupational therapy professionals makes up the clinic staff. It's staffed 24 hours a day, and all members of the staff are involved in helping the servicemember get back to duty.
"We're really pleased to have this center," Geyer said. "We're looking forward to the ability to provide the same kind of service that other servicemembers have had the benefit of in the Iraqi theater."
(Army Spc. Boris Shiloff serves in the 40th Public Affairs Detachment.)
Army Casualties
The Department of Defense announced today the death of three soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died Feb. 23 in Balad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked their unit using small arms fire. They were assigned to the 5th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Wainwright, Alaska.
Killed were:
Cpl. Michael L. Mayne, 21, of Burlington Flats, N.Y.,
Spc. Micheal B. Alleman, 31, of Logan, Utah, and
Pfc. Zachary R. Nordmeyer, 21, of Indianapolis, Ind.
For more information the media may contact the U.S. Army, Alaska, public affairs office at (907) 384-1542.
Killed were:
Cpl. Michael L. Mayne, 21, of Burlington Flats, N.Y.,
Spc. Micheal B. Alleman, 31, of Logan, Utah, and
Pfc. Zachary R. Nordmeyer, 21, of Indianapolis, Ind.
For more information the media may contact the U.S. Army, Alaska, public affairs office at (907) 384-1542.
Monday, February 23, 2009
On the Ground: New Clinics, Schools, Supplies Improve Life for Iraqis
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 23, 2009 - In ongoing humanitarian operations, Iraqi and coalition forces recently celebrated the opening of a medical clinic and three schools and delivered wheelchairs to Iraqi children. About 30 people gathered for the grand opening of the Tovo Medical Clinic on Feb. 12 in the Kani Karweshkan foothills in Halabja, Iraq.
The clinic, named in honor of Army Brig. Gen. Kenneth Tovo for his past service in Iraq, will be equipped with more than $25,000 of medical equipment and will significantly improve the region's medical care and provide essential services throughout the Kurdish autonomous region, a coalition forces advisor said.
The clinic provides centrally located access for nearly 500 residents from six surrounding villages to a medical facility and a staff of three full-time doctors.
Potential long-term projects include paving the clinic route to make it more accessible, drilling wells to provide water to the clinic, establishing nearby electrical lines for communication, and expanding clinic services, officials said.
"The opening of this clinic is just one of several planned to promote local participation and demonstrate the government's commitment to maintaining security while encouraging social and capital development," Army Col. Bill Buckner, Multinational Corps Iraq spokesman, said. "Projects like this one create short-term benefits and long-term potential consistent with the intended goals of the Iraqi and [coalition forces] partnership."
People in northern Iraq had more reason to celebrate as regional government leaders there and coalition forces on Feb. 12 inaugurated the first school in the mountainous region of Kani Mayor Village.
The new school supports growing educational needs and serves as a platform for the future economic stability of the Kani Mayor Village and surrounding communities of Panjwin.
"When decent schools are not available for their children, parents have traditionally packed up and moved from their villages to the city. After awhile, due to the exodus of people, the village's economy begins to suffer," an area tribal leader said.
"By putting brick on brick, it is proof you are not only protecting our people from terrorists, but also caring for our children's educational future," the regional education director said. "Thank you for giving the children a place to study and have a future."
The modern schoolhouse is fully equipped with five classrooms, two bathrooms, new desks, textbooks and overhead lighting. Additionally, in an effort to attract and retain the most qualified educators, a separate building was constructed to serve as living quarters for the instructors.
Village children expressed sincere appreciation and were happy to leave behind their temporary schoolhouse, a chicken coop loaned from a local farmer.
"It's nice to finally be rid of that old school and not have to share [my new school] with chickens," said a 13-year-old girl, who is excited to get back to school and continue her Arabic lessons.
Future improvements include hiring additional instructors, digging a well for the school to have running water and expanding the instructors' living quarters.
Two more newly refurbished primary school buildings opened in Umm Qasr Feb. 19.
The two U.S.-funded operations, totaling $271,100, outfitted the Al Nashaa and Al Marfaa schools with new paint, windows, electrical systems, plumbing, reconditioned bathrooms, roofs and desks. Local officials, town council members, Iraqi troops, coalition civil affairs representatives, school staff and students were on hand for the opening.
"Today we open this school to be the future light for the students," said Abu Ali, headmaster of Al Marfaa. "The first three words of the Koran means to 'read.' The scripture says it wants everyone to be educated. Education is the duty of every Muslim person."
Because of poor upkeep, the schools in Umm Qasr suffered from leaky roofs, broken windows, desks that were splintered and falling apart and other structural problems.
"Our main reason for these restorations was to provide the children with a safe learning environment," Army Sgt. Adam Kirschner, project manager from 42nd Military Police Brigade at Camp Bucca, said.
Kirschner said projects like these are important to the future of Umm Qasr, because the town is growing rapidly due to economic development generated by the country's only deep-water port.
Seven schools in the area have been refurbished in the last 12 months with help from Kirschner's unit. Umm Qasr Secondary School is next on the list and should start in about two weeks, he said.
Later this month, soldiers from Multinational Division Baghdad and their Iraqi army partners provided a life-changing experience to Iraqi children with the Feb. 18 delivery of more than a dozen new wheelchairs in Adwaniyah.
Seeing that many families could not afford wheelchairs, Iraqi soldiers worked with U.S. troops to acquire and deliver the wheelchairs.
In another humanitarian operation, coalition forces traveled to a small town in the Maysan province of southern Iraq on Feb. 20 to deliver food and household products to 150 families.
The 4th Battalion, 38th Iraqi Army Brigade, led the humanitarian mission, along with U.S. soldiers.
"Many improvements can be made in this area," said Maj. Ali, an Iraqi army company commander in charge of the mission. "The citizens of Al Maymunah still lack basic necessities, such as clean water and consistent electricity."
Ali and his unit handed out bulk packages of sugar, flour, beans, soap, toothpaste and hygiene products to the citizens of the impoverished neighborhood. The delivery was one of the largest in several months, as the soldiers also distributed blankets, tarps and more than 300 first aid kits. Children were given hand puppets, teddy bears and comic books.
The assistance comes at a time when many Maymunah residents are living without shelter and a consistent source of income to buy basic necessities.
"I was happy to receive a tarp to cover the holes on my roof," said Mustafa Jasim, a vehicle repairman. Others told the Iraqi soldiers they would be able to feed their families for several weeks with the supplies they were given.
(Compiled from Multinational Corps Iraq news releases.)
Feb. 23, 2009 - In ongoing humanitarian operations, Iraqi and coalition forces recently celebrated the opening of a medical clinic and three schools and delivered wheelchairs to Iraqi children. About 30 people gathered for the grand opening of the Tovo Medical Clinic on Feb. 12 in the Kani Karweshkan foothills in Halabja, Iraq.
The clinic, named in honor of Army Brig. Gen. Kenneth Tovo for his past service in Iraq, will be equipped with more than $25,000 of medical equipment and will significantly improve the region's medical care and provide essential services throughout the Kurdish autonomous region, a coalition forces advisor said.
The clinic provides centrally located access for nearly 500 residents from six surrounding villages to a medical facility and a staff of three full-time doctors.
Potential long-term projects include paving the clinic route to make it more accessible, drilling wells to provide water to the clinic, establishing nearby electrical lines for communication, and expanding clinic services, officials said.
"The opening of this clinic is just one of several planned to promote local participation and demonstrate the government's commitment to maintaining security while encouraging social and capital development," Army Col. Bill Buckner, Multinational Corps Iraq spokesman, said. "Projects like this one create short-term benefits and long-term potential consistent with the intended goals of the Iraqi and [coalition forces] partnership."
People in northern Iraq had more reason to celebrate as regional government leaders there and coalition forces on Feb. 12 inaugurated the first school in the mountainous region of Kani Mayor Village.
The new school supports growing educational needs and serves as a platform for the future economic stability of the Kani Mayor Village and surrounding communities of Panjwin.
"When decent schools are not available for their children, parents have traditionally packed up and moved from their villages to the city. After awhile, due to the exodus of people, the village's economy begins to suffer," an area tribal leader said.
"By putting brick on brick, it is proof you are not only protecting our people from terrorists, but also caring for our children's educational future," the regional education director said. "Thank you for giving the children a place to study and have a future."
The modern schoolhouse is fully equipped with five classrooms, two bathrooms, new desks, textbooks and overhead lighting. Additionally, in an effort to attract and retain the most qualified educators, a separate building was constructed to serve as living quarters for the instructors.
Village children expressed sincere appreciation and were happy to leave behind their temporary schoolhouse, a chicken coop loaned from a local farmer.
"It's nice to finally be rid of that old school and not have to share [my new school] with chickens," said a 13-year-old girl, who is excited to get back to school and continue her Arabic lessons.
Future improvements include hiring additional instructors, digging a well for the school to have running water and expanding the instructors' living quarters.
Two more newly refurbished primary school buildings opened in Umm Qasr Feb. 19.
The two U.S.-funded operations, totaling $271,100, outfitted the Al Nashaa and Al Marfaa schools with new paint, windows, electrical systems, plumbing, reconditioned bathrooms, roofs and desks. Local officials, town council members, Iraqi troops, coalition civil affairs representatives, school staff and students were on hand for the opening.
"Today we open this school to be the future light for the students," said Abu Ali, headmaster of Al Marfaa. "The first three words of the Koran means to 'read.' The scripture says it wants everyone to be educated. Education is the duty of every Muslim person."
Because of poor upkeep, the schools in Umm Qasr suffered from leaky roofs, broken windows, desks that were splintered and falling apart and other structural problems.
"Our main reason for these restorations was to provide the children with a safe learning environment," Army Sgt. Adam Kirschner, project manager from 42nd Military Police Brigade at Camp Bucca, said.
Kirschner said projects like these are important to the future of Umm Qasr, because the town is growing rapidly due to economic development generated by the country's only deep-water port.
Seven schools in the area have been refurbished in the last 12 months with help from Kirschner's unit. Umm Qasr Secondary School is next on the list and should start in about two weeks, he said.
Later this month, soldiers from Multinational Division Baghdad and their Iraqi army partners provided a life-changing experience to Iraqi children with the Feb. 18 delivery of more than a dozen new wheelchairs in Adwaniyah.
Seeing that many families could not afford wheelchairs, Iraqi soldiers worked with U.S. troops to acquire and deliver the wheelchairs.
In another humanitarian operation, coalition forces traveled to a small town in the Maysan province of southern Iraq on Feb. 20 to deliver food and household products to 150 families.
The 4th Battalion, 38th Iraqi Army Brigade, led the humanitarian mission, along with U.S. soldiers.
"Many improvements can be made in this area," said Maj. Ali, an Iraqi army company commander in charge of the mission. "The citizens of Al Maymunah still lack basic necessities, such as clean water and consistent electricity."
Ali and his unit handed out bulk packages of sugar, flour, beans, soap, toothpaste and hygiene products to the citizens of the impoverished neighborhood. The delivery was one of the largest in several months, as the soldiers also distributed blankets, tarps and more than 300 first aid kits. Children were given hand puppets, teddy bears and comic books.
The assistance comes at a time when many Maymunah residents are living without shelter and a consistent source of income to buy basic necessities.
"I was happy to receive a tarp to cover the holes on my roof," said Mustafa Jasim, a vehicle repairman. Others told the Iraqi soldiers they would be able to feed their families for several weeks with the supplies they were given.
(Compiled from Multinational Corps Iraq news releases.)
Soldiers Host Women's Bazaar to Help Iraqi Families
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 23, 2009 - Soldiers with the 63rd Armor Regiment got the chance to buy homemade products and souvenirs and further the cause of Iraqi women and their families recently when they hosted a bazaar to sell the women's handiwork. "This is a great way for local women to improve their small businesses and take care of their families," said Army Capt. Sara Woods, with the regiment's 445th Civil Affairs Battalion. "It also allows our soldiers to purchase authentic Iraqi souvenirs and gifts."
Many of the women in the Mahmudiyah area lost their husbands to insurgent violence and struggle to provide for their families, making them easy targets for insurgents. The Feb. 17 bazaar served as a way to show them they can create a better future for their families.
"This is a good project that is helping widows and people who need the money. I am so happy to be a part of it," said Madiha Gumar, one of the small-business owners and a member of the Mahmudiyah Women's Group.
This is the second bazaar soldiers of the civil affairs battalion of Task Force 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 63rd Armor Regiment, have had the opportunity to be involved with, and it was much larger than the first, officials said. Those who took part in the bazaar said they were glad not only to have something to take home, but also to give back to the Iraqi community.
"It was very beneficial in what we're trying to do for Iraq. From a personal standpoint, it was really gratifying to know we were helping the widows and their children," said Dale Hamilton, a civilian law enforcement professional attached to the task force.
The bazaar was considered a success and presented a foundation for each woman present to continue to expand her business.
"They came in and they sold these products to the soldiers, and I think each one of them walked out with a couple hundred dollars," Army Lt. Col. Anne Resty, a coordinator for women's initiatives, said. "So now afterwards they can buy more fabric and other materials to make more products that they can sell in the local markets as well."
The event also helped to increase the good relationship between the people of Mahmudiyah and the soldiers stationed on the forward operating base there.
"The more they see us as helpful Americans and they get to know us, they get to know that we have children, they get to know that we have spouses, and they get to know that we're just normal people, ... and the benefits are multi-faceted," Resty said. "They're going to think of us as normal people and [realize] that we can help them."
(From a Multinational Corps Iraq news release.)
Feb. 23, 2009 - Soldiers with the 63rd Armor Regiment got the chance to buy homemade products and souvenirs and further the cause of Iraqi women and their families recently when they hosted a bazaar to sell the women's handiwork. "This is a great way for local women to improve their small businesses and take care of their families," said Army Capt. Sara Woods, with the regiment's 445th Civil Affairs Battalion. "It also allows our soldiers to purchase authentic Iraqi souvenirs and gifts."
Many of the women in the Mahmudiyah area lost their husbands to insurgent violence and struggle to provide for their families, making them easy targets for insurgents. The Feb. 17 bazaar served as a way to show them they can create a better future for their families.
"This is a good project that is helping widows and people who need the money. I am so happy to be a part of it," said Madiha Gumar, one of the small-business owners and a member of the Mahmudiyah Women's Group.
This is the second bazaar soldiers of the civil affairs battalion of Task Force 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 63rd Armor Regiment, have had the opportunity to be involved with, and it was much larger than the first, officials said. Those who took part in the bazaar said they were glad not only to have something to take home, but also to give back to the Iraqi community.
"It was very beneficial in what we're trying to do for Iraq. From a personal standpoint, it was really gratifying to know we were helping the widows and their children," said Dale Hamilton, a civilian law enforcement professional attached to the task force.
The bazaar was considered a success and presented a foundation for each woman present to continue to expand her business.
"They came in and they sold these products to the soldiers, and I think each one of them walked out with a couple hundred dollars," Army Lt. Col. Anne Resty, a coordinator for women's initiatives, said. "So now afterwards they can buy more fabric and other materials to make more products that they can sell in the local markets as well."
The event also helped to increase the good relationship between the people of Mahmudiyah and the soldiers stationed on the forward operating base there.
"The more they see us as helpful Americans and they get to know us, they get to know that we have children, they get to know that we have spouses, and they get to know that we're just normal people, ... and the benefits are multi-faceted," Resty said. "They're going to think of us as normal people and [realize] that we can help them."
(From a Multinational Corps Iraq news release.)
Violence in Iraq Drops to Six-Year Low
By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 23, 2009 - Violent attacks in Iraq are at their lowest levels since August 2003, a U.S. commander in Iraq said yesterday. Army Maj. Gen. David Perkins, director for strategic effects at Multinational Force Iraq, told reporters in Baghdad the downtick in violence marks a 90-percent decrease since the surge of U.S. troops began in 2007.
Perkins added that on Feb. 20, no Iraqi civilians were killed or even targeted in attacks.
"This is a very significant event, and we are seeing more and more days like that throughout Iraq," he said.
Contributing to the improved security are the growing Iraqi security forces, which have increased the size of their ranks from 463,000 last year to 618,000 now – a 25-percent boost.
"It's not only an increase in the size and numbers, but the capability such as planning, orchestrating these very complicated operations, and then leading throughout the country of Iraq," Perkins said.
He added that Iraqi forces led and planned security for the countrywide provincial elections last month, in which some 7 million Iraqis participated in balloting that featured 14,000 registered candidates.
"On election day this year, there were no attacks which resulted in any disruption to any of the voting that went on," Perkins said. "This is in comparison to the last national election period in 2005, where we had hundreds of attacks on election day, with 44 deaths."
Election results are being widely accepted by victors and vanquished alike, he said.
"If you take a look at emerging democracies, historically, it is generally the second election that is sometimes more difficult than the first election," the general said. "By the time the second election comes, those who may have to lose power or give up power are not necessarily as excited about doing that.
"But the fact that we've had this second election and a very large number of people participating, both as candidates and as voters," he continued, "shows the enthusiasm that Iraqis have for the democratic process here in Iraq."
The downturn in violence comes as U.S. forces begin transferring a greater share of power to Iraqi forces in keeping with the status-of-forces agreement that became effective Jan. 1. The agreement between Washington and Baghdad stipulates that American combat forces pull back from cities and villages to major bases by June 30.
"There is no doubt that we will be out of the cities by June, and we are working this day by day," Perkins said. "And you can see many of these facilities we have already transferred, as well as the upcoming ones, are part of this plan to move out of the cities."
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 23, 2009 - Violent attacks in Iraq are at their lowest levels since August 2003, a U.S. commander in Iraq said yesterday. Army Maj. Gen. David Perkins, director for strategic effects at Multinational Force Iraq, told reporters in Baghdad the downtick in violence marks a 90-percent decrease since the surge of U.S. troops began in 2007.
Perkins added that on Feb. 20, no Iraqi civilians were killed or even targeted in attacks.
"This is a very significant event, and we are seeing more and more days like that throughout Iraq," he said.
Contributing to the improved security are the growing Iraqi security forces, which have increased the size of their ranks from 463,000 last year to 618,000 now – a 25-percent boost.
"It's not only an increase in the size and numbers, but the capability such as planning, orchestrating these very complicated operations, and then leading throughout the country of Iraq," Perkins said.
He added that Iraqi forces led and planned security for the countrywide provincial elections last month, in which some 7 million Iraqis participated in balloting that featured 14,000 registered candidates.
"On election day this year, there were no attacks which resulted in any disruption to any of the voting that went on," Perkins said. "This is in comparison to the last national election period in 2005, where we had hundreds of attacks on election day, with 44 deaths."
Election results are being widely accepted by victors and vanquished alike, he said.
"If you take a look at emerging democracies, historically, it is generally the second election that is sometimes more difficult than the first election," the general said. "By the time the second election comes, those who may have to lose power or give up power are not necessarily as excited about doing that.
"But the fact that we've had this second election and a very large number of people participating, both as candidates and as voters," he continued, "shows the enthusiasm that Iraqis have for the democratic process here in Iraq."
The downturn in violence comes as U.S. forces begin transferring a greater share of power to Iraqi forces in keeping with the status-of-forces agreement that became effective Jan. 1. The agreement between Washington and Baghdad stipulates that American combat forces pull back from cities and villages to major bases by June 30.
"There is no doubt that we will be out of the cities by June, and we are working this day by day," Perkins said. "And you can see many of these facilities we have already transferred, as well as the upcoming ones, are part of this plan to move out of the cities."
CBR Weapons and WMD Terrorism News-February 23, 2009
Training exercises to test Arlington’s ability to handle emergencies at new Cowboys stadium [TX]
“A catastrophe is about to strike at the new Dallas Cowboys stadium. It could be natural or man-made — officials haven’t decided yet. What matters is how emergency crews respond. […] The City Council approved a plan this month to hire the National Emergency Response and Rescue Training Center to develop the exercises and draft an evaluation report afterward. […] In 2005, the center oversaw an exercise that tested seven North Texas counties’ ability to respond to a bioterrorism attack.” (Star-Telegram; 22Feb09; Kate Gorman) http://www.star-telegram.com/804/story/1218567.html
Working to prevent agricultural disaster in the new century
Finding new ways to deter both natural and terroristic threats to U.S. crops is a way of life for plant pathologist Bill Schneider. […] His third area of responsibility lies in pathogen diagnostics. Fort Detrick [MD] is the hub for bioterrorism research — both human and plant. […] The researchers investigating biologic threats to humans are far more heavily funded than their counterparts working on crop protection. […] ‘If we’re going to, as a country, spend this kind of money to prevent somebody from using anthrax [sic] as a weapon, we can use those same technologies to prevent somebody from introducing wheat rust as a weapon.’ He says this may be one of the best things to come out of the 2001 terrorist attacks. ‘We spent a ton of money, but at least we got organized on the bioterrorism end of things,’ he says. (AgWeek; 23Feb09; Matt Bewley)
http://www.agweek.com/articles/?id=2660&article_id=13673&property_id=41
Expecting the unexpected [biological attacks]
“The 72nd Air Base Wing’s Exercise Program Office wants to ensure Tinker [Air Force base, OK] Airmen are prepared for the hectic, challenging environment they could face. Over the past nine days, hundreds of Airmen participated in […] a three-part exercise that trains Airmen in threatening situations. […] The third [part of the exercise] was a disease containment exercise where installation personnel were tested on their ability to respond and protect people from a biological attack. […] Together they simulated a scenario involving contaminated yogurt. Because the medical equipment used on base and during deployments is expensive, the Airmen practice[d] without the machinery, talking their way through the exercise.” (Tinker Takeoff; 20Feb09; Brandice J. Armstrong)
http://www.tinkertakeoff.com/article.htm?intRecID=16635
Simple elixir called a ‘miracle liquid’
“It has been approved by U.S. regulators. And it's starting to replace the toxic chemicals Americans use at home and on the job. The stuff is a simple mixture of table salt and tap water whose ions have been scrambled with an electric current. Researchers have dubbed it electrolyzed water -- hardly as catchy as Mr. Clean. But at the Sheraton Delfina in Santa Monica [CA], some hotel workers are calling it el liquido milagroso -- the miracle liquid. That's as good a name as any for a substance that scientists say is powerful enough to kill anthrax [sic] spores without harming people or the environment. […] Used as a sanitizer for decades in Russia and Japan, it's slowly winning acceptance in the United States.”
(Los Angeles Times; 23Feb09; Marla Dickerson) http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/front/la-fi-magicwater23-2009feb23,0,1620173.story
*Status of chemical demilitarisation as of February 2009
“Following are the paragraphs related to chemical demilitarisation contained in the opening statement by the OPCW [Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons] Director-General to the Executive Council at its 55th session. States Parties that have declared chemical weapons are moving steadily towards the goal of complete destruction of their stockpiles. In this respect, as at 31 January 2009, OPCW inspectors had verified the destruction of 29,741 metric tonnes of Category 1 chemical weapons, or 42.76%, of the total stockpiles declared by six possessor States. The amount of Category 2 chemical weapons destroyed remained unchanged at 915 metric tonnes (or 51.8% of the total declared).” (OPCW;
20Feb09)
http://www.opcw.org/news/news/article/status-of-chemical-demilitarisation-as-at-february-2009/
Post 26/11, [Indian] hotels go shopping for hi-tech security gadgets, up demand
“From gadgets to keep your security guard awake through the night to high-end baggage scanners, the security industry post Mumbai attack is growing at a breakneck rate of nearly 35 per cent, estimate those in the market. […] After the November attack, all the branches of the Taj Hotel — Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Cochin, Chennai, Jodhpur and Goa — have purchased X-ray baggage inspection systems. […] Hotels are also buying explosives detection systems, hand-held narcotics detectors and chemical warfare detection systems. Hyatt Regency, Shangri-La and Le Meridien in Delhi have equipped themselves with the latest in this line. DHL Worldwide Express, Mumbai branch, has installed such detection systems.” (Express India; 23Feb09; Sobhana K) http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/post-26-11-hotels-go-shopping-for-hitech-security-gadgets-up-demand/426833/
U.K. resident Binyam Mohamed released from [U.S. prison in] Guantanamo [Bay, Cuba]
“Binyam Mohamed, a British resident held at the U.S. prison camp at Guantanamo Bay for more than four years, returned to Britain on Monday. […] He has been accused of undergoing al Qaeda training in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and of conspiring to detonate a ‘dirty bomb’ on the United States transport network, but all formal charges brought against him were later dropped. He has never been tried.” (Reuters; 23Feb09)
http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSLN468591
Radiation research in comeback since 9/11
“[E. John] Ainsworth's pioneering work in Dublin [CA], and also in San Francisco, helped in the development of the handful of approved drugs for treating those exposed to the damaging [gamma] rays. It also deepened understanding of radiation's effects on tissue, blood and DNA. And his insistence that the nuclear threat hadn't ended with the 1989 fall of the Berlin Wall kept alive the military's largest radiation-health-effects research program, based in Maryland. Experts now consider the program critical to national security. […] The lab [in MD] is now regaining its prominence and employs a staff of 150. ‘It's growing by leaps and bounds,’ said Terry Pellmar, who retired last month as the institute's scientific director.” (Contra Costa Times; 22Feb09; Source: Arizona Star)
http://www.azstarnet.com/news/281234
Florida company [American Media, Inc.] target of anthrax [sic] hoax
“A Boca Raton company at the center of a deadly 2001 anthrax [sic] attack was evacuated again after a letter containing white powder arrived at its office. Tabloid publisher American Media Inc. evacuated [its offices] for about 45 minutes Friday until police determined the powder was harmless. AMI publishes the National Enquirer, Star magazine and numerous other titles. A photo editor at the company died after inhaling anthrax more than seven years ago.” (WPBF News; 22Feb09) http://www.wpbf.com/news/18769648/detail.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.
“A catastrophe is about to strike at the new Dallas Cowboys stadium. It could be natural or man-made — officials haven’t decided yet. What matters is how emergency crews respond. […] The City Council approved a plan this month to hire the National Emergency Response and Rescue Training Center to develop the exercises and draft an evaluation report afterward. […] In 2005, the center oversaw an exercise that tested seven North Texas counties’ ability to respond to a bioterrorism attack.” (Star-Telegram; 22Feb09; Kate Gorman) http://www.star-telegram.com/804/story/1218567.html
Working to prevent agricultural disaster in the new century
Finding new ways to deter both natural and terroristic threats to U.S. crops is a way of life for plant pathologist Bill Schneider. […] His third area of responsibility lies in pathogen diagnostics. Fort Detrick [MD] is the hub for bioterrorism research — both human and plant. […] The researchers investigating biologic threats to humans are far more heavily funded than their counterparts working on crop protection. […] ‘If we’re going to, as a country, spend this kind of money to prevent somebody from using anthrax [sic] as a weapon, we can use those same technologies to prevent somebody from introducing wheat rust as a weapon.’ He says this may be one of the best things to come out of the 2001 terrorist attacks. ‘We spent a ton of money, but at least we got organized on the bioterrorism end of things,’ he says. (AgWeek; 23Feb09; Matt Bewley)
http://www.agweek.com/articles/?id=2660&article_id=13673&property_id=41
Expecting the unexpected [biological attacks]
“The 72nd Air Base Wing’s Exercise Program Office wants to ensure Tinker [Air Force base, OK] Airmen are prepared for the hectic, challenging environment they could face. Over the past nine days, hundreds of Airmen participated in […] a three-part exercise that trains Airmen in threatening situations. […] The third [part of the exercise] was a disease containment exercise where installation personnel were tested on their ability to respond and protect people from a biological attack. […] Together they simulated a scenario involving contaminated yogurt. Because the medical equipment used on base and during deployments is expensive, the Airmen practice[d] without the machinery, talking their way through the exercise.” (Tinker Takeoff; 20Feb09; Brandice J. Armstrong)
http://www.tinkertakeoff.com/article.htm?intRecID=16635
Simple elixir called a ‘miracle liquid’
“It has been approved by U.S. regulators. And it's starting to replace the toxic chemicals Americans use at home and on the job. The stuff is a simple mixture of table salt and tap water whose ions have been scrambled with an electric current. Researchers have dubbed it electrolyzed water -- hardly as catchy as Mr. Clean. But at the Sheraton Delfina in Santa Monica [CA], some hotel workers are calling it el liquido milagroso -- the miracle liquid. That's as good a name as any for a substance that scientists say is powerful enough to kill anthrax [sic] spores without harming people or the environment. […] Used as a sanitizer for decades in Russia and Japan, it's slowly winning acceptance in the United States.”
(Los Angeles Times; 23Feb09; Marla Dickerson) http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/front/la-fi-magicwater23-2009feb23,0,1620173.story
*Status of chemical demilitarisation as of February 2009
“Following are the paragraphs related to chemical demilitarisation contained in the opening statement by the OPCW [Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons] Director-General to the Executive Council at its 55th session. States Parties that have declared chemical weapons are moving steadily towards the goal of complete destruction of their stockpiles. In this respect, as at 31 January 2009, OPCW inspectors had verified the destruction of 29,741 metric tonnes of Category 1 chemical weapons, or 42.76%, of the total stockpiles declared by six possessor States. The amount of Category 2 chemical weapons destroyed remained unchanged at 915 metric tonnes (or 51.8% of the total declared).” (OPCW;
20Feb09)
http://www.opcw.org/news/news/article/status-of-chemical-demilitarisation-as-at-february-2009/
Post 26/11, [Indian] hotels go shopping for hi-tech security gadgets, up demand
“From gadgets to keep your security guard awake through the night to high-end baggage scanners, the security industry post Mumbai attack is growing at a breakneck rate of nearly 35 per cent, estimate those in the market. […] After the November attack, all the branches of the Taj Hotel — Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Cochin, Chennai, Jodhpur and Goa — have purchased X-ray baggage inspection systems. […] Hotels are also buying explosives detection systems, hand-held narcotics detectors and chemical warfare detection systems. Hyatt Regency, Shangri-La and Le Meridien in Delhi have equipped themselves with the latest in this line. DHL Worldwide Express, Mumbai branch, has installed such detection systems.” (Express India; 23Feb09; Sobhana K) http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/post-26-11-hotels-go-shopping-for-hitech-security-gadgets-up-demand/426833/
U.K. resident Binyam Mohamed released from [U.S. prison in] Guantanamo [Bay, Cuba]
“Binyam Mohamed, a British resident held at the U.S. prison camp at Guantanamo Bay for more than four years, returned to Britain on Monday. […] He has been accused of undergoing al Qaeda training in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and of conspiring to detonate a ‘dirty bomb’ on the United States transport network, but all formal charges brought against him were later dropped. He has never been tried.” (Reuters; 23Feb09)
http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSLN468591
Radiation research in comeback since 9/11
“[E. John] Ainsworth's pioneering work in Dublin [CA], and also in San Francisco, helped in the development of the handful of approved drugs for treating those exposed to the damaging [gamma] rays. It also deepened understanding of radiation's effects on tissue, blood and DNA. And his insistence that the nuclear threat hadn't ended with the 1989 fall of the Berlin Wall kept alive the military's largest radiation-health-effects research program, based in Maryland. Experts now consider the program critical to national security. […] The lab [in MD] is now regaining its prominence and employs a staff of 150. ‘It's growing by leaps and bounds,’ said Terry Pellmar, who retired last month as the institute's scientific director.” (Contra Costa Times; 22Feb09; Source: Arizona Star)
http://www.azstarnet.com/news/281234
Florida company [American Media, Inc.] target of anthrax [sic] hoax
“A Boca Raton company at the center of a deadly 2001 anthrax [sic] attack was evacuated again after a letter containing white powder arrived at its office. Tabloid publisher American Media Inc. evacuated [its offices] for about 45 minutes Friday until police determined the powder was harmless. AMI publishes the National Enquirer, Star magazine and numerous other titles. A photo editor at the company died after inhaling anthrax more than seven years ago.” (WPBF News; 22Feb09) http://www.wpbf.com/news/18769648/detail.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.
Guantanamo Complies With Geneva Conventions, Admiral Says
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 23, 2009 - The detention facilities at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, meet all standards of humane treatment and are in compliance with Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions, the vice chief of naval operations said today. Navy Adm. Patrick Walsh was chosen by Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates to head a team to review and report on the facilities at Guantanamo as part of an executive order President Barack Obama issued Jan. 22.
The review team conducted more than 100 interviews with Joint Task Force Guantanamo personnel over 13 days of investigation in Cuba . The team conducted multiple announced and unannounced inspections of all camps, reviewed paperwork and observed many aspects of daily operations, Walsh said.
"Collectively, we talked to a number of detainees and observed daily activities, including [use of feeding tubes] and interrogations," Walsh said during a Pentagon news conference.
The team looked at shelter, clothing, food and water, practice of religion, recreation, the detainee discipline system, protections against violence, sensory deprivation and humiliation, human-to-human contact, health care, interrogation and access to attorneys and outside entities. Common Article 3 of the Geneva Convention prohibits violence to life and person, taking of hostages, outrages upon personal dignity and passing of sentences without judgment pronounced by a regularly constituted court.
"From our review, it was apparent that the chain of command responsible for the detention mission at Guantanamo consistently seeks to go beyond the minimum standard in complying with Common Article 3," he said. "We found that the chain of command endeavors to enhance conditions in a manner as humane as possible, consistent with security concerns."
The team also recommended ways to improve conditions at the detention facilities. While Obama wants the facility closed by next year, until it does close, conditions must meet all humane standards, Walsh said.
"We do not intend to suggest that these recommendations are items that the department must pursue to satisfy Common Article 3," he said. "Rather, they are items that we view as consistent with the approach of the chain of command to continually enhance conditions of detention."
Socialization, or interaction among detainees, is important for the detainees because of the length of time they have been detained, he said. In certain camps, more socialization is needed. The team called for more "human-to-human contact, recreation opportunities with several detainees together, intellectual stimulation and group prayer," the admiral said.
The review team recommended better health care, and the task force leaders appreciate the role health care plays at the facility, Walsh said.
Finally, as long as the facility remains open, it must have the requisite resources, the admiral told reporters.
"The most significant activity in this regard involves the continued support for camp improvement projects currently under way that affect the ability to provide socialization opportunities," he said. "Of significant concern is that the department continued to properly resource Guantanamo until every detainee departs."
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 23, 2009 - The detention facilities at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, meet all standards of humane treatment and are in compliance with Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions, the vice chief of naval operations said today. Navy Adm. Patrick Walsh was chosen by Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates to head a team to review and report on the facilities at Guantanamo as part of an executive order President Barack Obama issued Jan. 22.
The review team conducted more than 100 interviews with Joint Task Force Guantanamo personnel over 13 days of investigation in Cuba . The team conducted multiple announced and unannounced inspections of all camps, reviewed paperwork and observed many aspects of daily operations, Walsh said.
"Collectively, we talked to a number of detainees and observed daily activities, including [use of feeding tubes] and interrogations," Walsh said during a Pentagon news conference.
The team looked at shelter, clothing, food and water, practice of religion, recreation, the detainee discipline system, protections against violence, sensory deprivation and humiliation, human-to-human contact, health care, interrogation and access to attorneys and outside entities. Common Article 3 of the Geneva Convention prohibits violence to life and person, taking of hostages, outrages upon personal dignity and passing of sentences without judgment pronounced by a regularly constituted court.
"From our review, it was apparent that the chain of command responsible for the detention mission at Guantanamo consistently seeks to go beyond the minimum standard in complying with Common Article 3," he said. "We found that the chain of command endeavors to enhance conditions in a manner as humane as possible, consistent with security concerns."
The team also recommended ways to improve conditions at the detention facilities. While Obama wants the facility closed by next year, until it does close, conditions must meet all humane standards, Walsh said.
"We do not intend to suggest that these recommendations are items that the department must pursue to satisfy Common Article 3," he said. "Rather, they are items that we view as consistent with the approach of the chain of command to continually enhance conditions of detention."
Socialization, or interaction among detainees, is important for the detainees because of the length of time they have been detained, he said. In certain camps, more socialization is needed. The team called for more "human-to-human contact, recreation opportunities with several detainees together, intellectual stimulation and group prayer," the admiral said.
The review team recommended better health care, and the task force leaders appreciate the role health care plays at the facility, Walsh said.
Finally, as long as the facility remains open, it must have the requisite resources, the admiral told reporters.
"The most significant activity in this regard involves the continued support for camp improvement projects currently under way that affect the ability to provide socialization opportunities," he said. "Of significant concern is that the department continued to properly resource Guantanamo until every detainee departs."
Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Staff Sgt. Mark C. Baum, 32, of Telford, Pa., died Feb. 21 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered earlier that day when enemy forces attacked his unit using small arms fire in Mushada, Iraq. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 111th Infantry Regiment, 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard.
For more information the media may contact the Pennsylvania National Guard at (717) 861-8468.
Staff Sgt. Mark C. Baum, 32, of Telford, Pa., died Feb. 21 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered earlier that day when enemy forces attacked his unit using small arms fire in Mushada, Iraq. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 111th Infantry Regiment, 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard.
For more information the media may contact the Pennsylvania National Guard at (717) 861-8468.
Iraqi Forces Discover Explosives, Arrest Criminals
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 23, 2009 - Iraqi security forces discovered improvised explosive devices and arrested four suspected criminals in Baghdad in recent days, military officials reported. Police officers, working with "Sons of Iraq" civilian security group members, discovered a homemade bomb during a combined patrol yesterday in the Aamel neighborhood of southern Baghdad's Rashid district. An Iraqi explosive ordnance disposal team responded to safely remove the bomb, which consisted of a grenade and military-grade explosives.
Elsewhere, Iraqi security forces and Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers discovered an IED in northwestern Baghdad Feb. 21.
Iraqi soldiers reported to their coalition partners that they had discovered an IED in Baghdad's Mansour district. U.S. soldiers immediately responded to help cordon off the area and ensure there were no secondary devices. An Iraqi army EOD team responded to the site and disarmed the device.
On Feb. 20, Iraqi security forces working in the Yarmouk area of northwestern Baghdad arrested four people suspected of placing magnetic explosives on vehicles. The detainees were transported to a nearby headquarters for processing.
(Compiled from Multinational Corps Iraq news releases.)
Feb. 23, 2009 - Iraqi security forces discovered improvised explosive devices and arrested four suspected criminals in Baghdad in recent days, military officials reported. Police officers, working with "Sons of Iraq" civilian security group members, discovered a homemade bomb during a combined patrol yesterday in the Aamel neighborhood of southern Baghdad's Rashid district. An Iraqi explosive ordnance disposal team responded to safely remove the bomb, which consisted of a grenade and military-grade explosives.
Elsewhere, Iraqi security forces and Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers discovered an IED in northwestern Baghdad Feb. 21.
Iraqi soldiers reported to their coalition partners that they had discovered an IED in Baghdad's Mansour district. U.S. soldiers immediately responded to help cordon off the area and ensure there were no secondary devices. An Iraqi army EOD team responded to the site and disarmed the device.
On Feb. 20, Iraqi security forces working in the Yarmouk area of northwestern Baghdad arrested four people suspected of placing magnetic explosives on vehicles. The detainees were transported to a nearby headquarters for processing.
(Compiled from Multinational Corps Iraq news releases.)
Progress in Baghdad Continues on all Fronts, Commander Reports
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 23, 2009 - Almost two months after the new status-of-forces and strategic framework agreements took effect in Iraq, a brigade commander in Baghdad today reported record-low violence as Iraqi security forces assume ever-increasing responsibilities. "We've been constantly amazed at the changes that have occurred in just the last four months since we arrived," Army Col. Joseph Martin, commander of the 1st Infantry Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team, told Pentagon reporters during a video teleconference from Camp Victory, Iraq.
The Dagger Brigade's 3,800-plus soldiers operate in an area in northwestern Baghdad that Martin said is seeing steady improvement in security, economic growth and building projects.
"Violence is at an all-time low since 2004, with record-low attacks against coalition and Iraqi security forces," he said.
Two years ago, Multinational Division Baghdad was experiencing 25 attacks a day. The current daily rate is 1.5 attacks. "That's 5 percent of what it was in January 2007," Martin said. Martin credited the growing partnership between his soldiers and the 6th Iraqi Division and five Iraqi police districts with ensuring the positive trend has continued.
The Dagger Brigade has embraced the partnership, which was solidified in the security agreement that took effect Jan. 1, Martin said.
"Our role is to fully support and assist our Iraqi counterparts," he said. "We're seeing U.S. forces move out of selected sites within Baghdad, transferring them to the Iraqi government ministries or security forces as designated by the government of Iraq."
As a result, Iraqi security forces are stepping up to the challenge and making steady improvement, Martin reported.
In one of the first major tests of the new arrangement, Iraqi security forces maintained the security lead during Iraq's provincial elections, with coalition troops in support. The elections proceeded with no noticeable uptick in violence.
But despite this progress, Martin cautioned against declaring victory over the insurgency.
"The enemy is severely disrupted, but still present and evolving," he said. "And our partner Iraqi forces take nothing for granted when it comes to the security of Iraqi citizens."
Martin praised his soldiers for their instrumental role in the continued progress. "We can't thank them enough," he said. "We can't train them hard enough. We can't provide them enough of the best equipment on the face of the Earth, because they are at the heart of the mission every day. They are amongst the Iraqi people, standing guard, on point, on patrol, with their security counterparts, ensuring that every Iraqi has the possibility of a bright future."
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 23, 2009 - Almost two months after the new status-of-forces and strategic framework agreements took effect in Iraq, a brigade commander in Baghdad today reported record-low violence as Iraqi security forces assume ever-increasing responsibilities. "We've been constantly amazed at the changes that have occurred in just the last four months since we arrived," Army Col. Joseph Martin, commander of the 1st Infantry Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team, told Pentagon reporters during a video teleconference from Camp Victory, Iraq.
The Dagger Brigade's 3,800-plus soldiers operate in an area in northwestern Baghdad that Martin said is seeing steady improvement in security, economic growth and building projects.
"Violence is at an all-time low since 2004, with record-low attacks against coalition and Iraqi security forces," he said.
Two years ago, Multinational Division Baghdad was experiencing 25 attacks a day. The current daily rate is 1.5 attacks. "That's 5 percent of what it was in January 2007," Martin said. Martin credited the growing partnership between his soldiers and the 6th Iraqi Division and five Iraqi police districts with ensuring the positive trend has continued.
The Dagger Brigade has embraced the partnership, which was solidified in the security agreement that took effect Jan. 1, Martin said.
"Our role is to fully support and assist our Iraqi counterparts," he said. "We're seeing U.S. forces move out of selected sites within Baghdad, transferring them to the Iraqi government ministries or security forces as designated by the government of Iraq."
As a result, Iraqi security forces are stepping up to the challenge and making steady improvement, Martin reported.
In one of the first major tests of the new arrangement, Iraqi security forces maintained the security lead during Iraq's provincial elections, with coalition troops in support. The elections proceeded with no noticeable uptick in violence.
But despite this progress, Martin cautioned against declaring victory over the insurgency.
"The enemy is severely disrupted, but still present and evolving," he said. "And our partner Iraqi forces take nothing for granted when it comes to the security of Iraqi citizens."
Martin praised his soldiers for their instrumental role in the continued progress. "We can't thank them enough," he said. "We can't train them hard enough. We can't provide them enough of the best equipment on the face of the Earth, because they are at the heart of the mission every day. They are amongst the Iraqi people, standing guard, on point, on patrol, with their security counterparts, ensuring that every Iraqi has the possibility of a bright future."
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