CLEAR & PATROL - U.S. soldiers, along with Iraqi police, clear and patrol the town of Aswad in Diyala province, Iraq, Feb. 19, 2008. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Sean Mulligan

Labels: Aswad, Diyala Province, Iraq, Iraqi Police, photos, US Army

POSTER PATROL
An Iraqi policeman assigned to the 1-6-2 National Police posts informational posters in a neighborhood in Khadra, Iraq, Feb. 9, 2008. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Sharhonda R. McCoy

Labels: 1-6-2 Iraqi National Police, Iraq, Iraqi Police, Khadra

From Multi-National Force - Iraq



The Marines of Company C, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6, and Iraqi Police, who both live and work out of the same Joint Security Station, patrol through the fields and into the villages of Habbaniyah, Iraq. Photo by: Cpl. Bryce C.K. Muhlenberg, USMC.


Monday, 14 January 2008

HABBANIYAH — Cpl. Christopher J. Sevigny recently led a patrol of Marines and Iraqi Police (IP) through the withered, brown reeds and sturdy concrete houses of the Habbaniyah villages, taking time to meet with the residents living there.

This patrol wasn’t staged from a regular patrol base or forward operating base, and the Marines didn’t meet up with the Iraqi Police along the way. They live together and departed from Company C, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6’s Joint Security Station (JSS) South Angels, together.

The squad leader and Marines with 1st Platoon, Company C, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6, have been living in a secure structure with Iraqi Police for more than three weeks. They have been integrated and act as one team.

“We live and conduct operations out of the JSS so, sooner rather than later, these people can stand up on their own and will no longer need our support,” said 1st Lt. Alistair E. Howard, first platoon commander

Sevigny, 21, led the patrol across canals, through fields and along the paths into town, stopping his men to talk with the locals about how their families and livelihoods are affected by the combined Marine and IP presence.

As his Marines set up security in a cul-de-sac, the Boston native explained, in between talk with locals, how important the patrols are for the community they have taken a vested interest in.

“Joint security patrols amongst the local populace ensure they are still comfortable with us and the Iraqi Police and with the security situation in their area,” said the 2004 Bayside High School graduate. “It also allows the Iraqi populace to have reassured confidence in their own police and allow the police and Army to become more familiar with their area of operation and the people they protect.”

These operations have been a success in an area that was once rife with insurgent activity, which forced Iraqi citizens out of the community, turning the area into a figurative ghost town, said Sevigny.

“There wasn’t anybody in this area,” he said. “The mosque was abandoned and nobody ever came out during the day. We were trying to hunt terrorists and there weren’t any Iraqi Police, but since we pushed out the terrorists and started these types of operations, I’ve seen the Iraqi people take a proactive approach to improving their country by allowing the IPs and IA (Iraqi Army) what they need to improve their communities.”

The Marines stopped by the local mosque and met with one of the speakers to have lunch during their patrol. It was a common dish, served hot and fresh; flat bread, potatoes, eggs and steaming hot chai (tea), loaded with sugar. The Marines and Iraqis sat with each other, enjoying the company and conversation, after which they began their patrol back to the JSS, where they now call home.

It had been a long patrol, but it had been successful. The community outreach operations have sustained the peace and security brought to their area of operations by the Marines of the “Ready to Fight” battalion throughout their seven-month deployment.

As Sevigny’s patrol returned from the fields and another squad prepared to depart, Howard explained the battalion’s success.

“We’ve kicked out the insurgents.” said Howard. He then gestured toward the station and the resident Marines and IPs. “And all of this; the station, the patrols and the IPs, is to make sure they don’t come back.”

(Story by Cpl. Bryce C.K. Muhlenberg, 2nd Marine Division)

In Other Recent Developments Here:

TIKRIT — Multi-National Division - North Soldiers destroyed three booby-trapped houses in Himbus, Jan. 11, during Operation Raider Harvest, which is part of the countrywide Operation Phantom Phoenix.

SUQ ASH SHUYUK — Paratroopers in Headquarters, Headquarters Company, 1st Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division discovered and thwarted 21 107mm rockets set to launch toward their command outpost – thanks to a tip from a local shepherd, Jan. 6.

Labels: Good News, Habbaniyah, Iraq, Iraqi Police, photos, USMC

Dec. 28, 2007
Story ID#: 200712281387

By Pfc. Brian D. Jones, 2nd Marine Division (FWD)

ZAIDON, Iraq (Dec. 28, 2007) -- “I would unite with anybody to do right and with nobody to do wrong.”

These are famous words by Frederick Douglas speaking about overcoming struggles in the progress for human liberty. More than a century later, these words may express the sensitivity of how Iraqis feel toward their struggle for a better future.

Iraqi Police students waited for their instructor’s commands to be translated by the interpreter. The instructions were to work as a team and depend on the cohesion of one another’s strength and cooperation to execute a physical exercise. This was a challenge set forth for the students to help them rise above their past of ill feelings toward one another that separated them, keeping them from working together to achieve a common goal.

“They’re civilians that have been guarding checkpoints for months and are looking for some recognition,” said 1st Lt. Todd Richardson, a platoon commander with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6. “They’re looking for some actual authority as opposed to just being civilian watch and they’re finally getting their chance.”

Marines with Weapons Co. graduated 59 newly trained Iraqi policemen in Zaidon, Iraq, Dec. 20, after they reconciled tribal differences among their students.

Early on in the training, the Marines realized they would have to put forth an extra effort in building camaraderie among the class. They needed their Iraqi students to overcome their social differences that were causing disruptions. They relied on teamwork building exercises that required their students to set aside their differences.

Arguments interrupted the first day of instruction, almost leading the instructors to immediately fail students, a loss neither the Marines nor the police force wanted.

“I don’t understand Arabic, but I understand complaining,” said 26-year-old Ocala, Fla., native, Sgt. David R. Dahl, a chief instructor.

“It started out with a few hitches in the beginning,” said Dahl. “There were tribal differences and things of that nature. They were put into situations where they were forced to be next to people they didn’t like. Either they were going to be a team or they weren’t going to be apart of this.”

“You’re still a member of your tribe and you’re still a member of your community, but you’re not going to worry about your tribe and community as much as you’re going to worry about the country as a whole,” Dahl told his students.

Throughout a period of six training days the Marines taught their students a wide range of professional security force skills from marksmanship and detainee handling to human rights and medical aid.

All the Marines agreed there were moments their blood pressure rose, but they were glad to be teaching the students things they may not get a chance to learn anywhere else.

“Training was condensed into long hours leaving them little free time, which was good because it kept them focused on what they were doing,” said Dahl. “They were physically training, studying or sleeping. They weren’t given anytime to think about anything else.”

Discipline was on display from the Marines. Proficient execution of technique was shown. The Marines hoped the Iraqis would pull together and emulate their actions.

“The Marines actually came together really well on it and worked hard,” said Dahl. “Every Marine was very professional on how they gave their class and they were very hands on with them. When it was their time to go in front of the Iraqis they were experts on what they were talking about.”

As Dahl taught a class in detainee handling, he showed the class techniques to use to take down a resisting detainee. One student challenged him saying the moves wouldn’t work on him. Dahl offered him the chance to stand before the class and demonstrate his resistance to what Dahl had shown them. In a short few seconds, the student found himself on the ground restrained with a surprised look on his face to be proven wrong. The whole class sat there, admiring the skills of their instructor.

Dahl said he and other instructors would sit the students down after a long day of classes and speak with them to make sure the students appreciated the magnitude of their situation and the new responsibilities the students would take on upon graduating as police.

“I had a lot of talks with them about the importance of what they’re training for and the responsibilities that come along with the job,” said Dahl. “The change in their life they will have to make now and how their going to have to set examples for their community. They’re going to have to hold themselves above everyone else and do what is right for everyone, not just for themselves and their family.”

Dahl said they seemed to fully understand what he was stressing. He wanted them to know that this job meant more than just a paycheck to support their families, it was a chance to unite as a stronger force for the protection that would serve a greater and less selfish cause.

Dahl admitted he didn’t really believe it was going to work at first because of how argumentative the students were among each other, but in the end he said he was satisfied with the result.

“We have seen a difference in them,” said Dahl. “They’re working together and they’re trying to accomplish everything without any arguments. I think it was good for them and they learned a whole lot from it. It gave them such a focused look at it that I think they’ve made a dramatic change.”

After completing the course, the students graduated as the newest addition to Zaidon’s police force. With diplomas in hand, they each extended heart felt congratulations to one another and thanked their instructors.


Iraqi police students march in their graduation ceremony in Zaidon, Iraq, Dec. 20. Marines with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6, instructed the students. Over a period of six training days the Marines taught their students a wide range of professional security force skills from marksmanship and detainee handling to human rights and medical aid.


Iraqi police students line up for range exercises in weapons handling on a rifle range aboard Camp Fallujah, Dec. 18. Over a period of six training days the Marines with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6, taught their students a wide range of professional security force skills from marksmanship and detainee handling to human rights and medical aid. After completing the course, the students graduated as the newest addition to the Zaidon’s police force.


Iraqi police students work together in a teamwork building exercise called squad pushups during training, Dec. 20. The instructions were to work as a team and depend on the cohesion of one another’s strength and cooperation to execute a physical exercise. This was a challenge set forth for the students to help them rise above their past of ill feelings toward one another that separated them, keeping them from working together to achieve a common goal.


Iraqi police students help one another prepare their rifles before going to a rifle range Dec. 18. Over a period of six training days the Marines with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6, taught their students a wide range of professional security force skills from marksmanship and detainee handling to human rights and medical aid. All the Marines agreed there were moments their blood pressure rose, but they were glad to be teaching the students things they may not get a chance to learn anywhere else.


Iraqi police students take aim on their targets and fire a few rounds on a rifle range aboard Camp Fallujah, Dec. 18. Over a period of six training days the Marines with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6, taught their students a wide range of professional security force skills from marksmanship and detainee handling to human rights and medical aid. All the Marines agreed there were moments their blood pressure rose, but they were glad to be teaching the students things they may not get a chance to learn anywhere else.


An Iraqi police student aims in on his target and fire a few rounds on a rifle range aboard Camp Fallujah, Dec. 18. Over a period of six training days the Marines with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6, taught their students a wide range of professional security force skills from marksmanship and detainee handling to human rights and medical aid. All the Marines agreed there were moments their blood pressure rose, but they were glad to be teaching the students things they may not get a chance to learn anywhere else.


Iraqi police students intently listen to instructions before taking their weapons on a rifle range on Camp Fallujah, Dec. 18. “They’re civilians that have been guarding checkpoints for months and are looking for some recognition,” said 1st Lt. Todd Richardson, a platoon commander with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6. “They’re looking for some actual authority as opposed to just being civilian watch and they’re finally getting their chance.”

Labels: 3/3 Marine Regiment, Camp Fallujah, Good News, Iraq, Iraqi Police, photos, Regimental Combat Team 6, USMC

from Multi-National Force Iraq:

East of Ramadi, an Iraqi Policeman marches through a field in Abu Bali during a sweep for insurgents in clearance missions.
Photo taken by U.S. Army Spc. Ricardo Branch 1st BCT Public Affairs.


Thursday, 27 September 2007
BAGHDAD — A year ago the area to the east of Ramadi was a haven for insurgents who attacked the city. These days much has changed in the surrounding rural lands of the east.

The once violent lands of the east are patrolled and guarded by the Abu-Bali Iraqi Police (IP) and Soldiers from Company A, 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment. Their latest mission was a joint operation, which gathered intelligence and pushed insurgents further from the city of Ramadi and its outlying towns.

“Today, we did routine clearance missions east of Ramadi,” said 1st Lt. Cory Sharbo, a platoon leader with Co. A, 3-69 Armor. “Normally we work alongside the IP, but today we’re only here to supervise.”

Sharbo, 25, from Pittsburgh, Pa., said that the area they patrol is much different than what people at home would normally expect when they think of Iraq.

“Everyone always thinks that it’s all desert,” Sharbo said. “Lots of the Soldiers look at this area we’re in with an almost Vietnam-style terrain with canals, tall grass and sweltering heat.”

During the operation, IPs scoured the surrounding countryside of Abu Waitha and began walking through neighborhoods greeting locals and asking if they needed any assistance. While they were meeting the locals, the IPs asked about terrorist activity in the area.

Sharbo said the mission was important because it served as a show of force for the IPs.

“Since we came into this area, the IP have shown lots of improvement,” he said. “They are more organized, able to do handle the different tasks required of a policeman and now handle detainees real well – they are running the show here.”

Although there is often much work associated with the IP, the Soldiers said, they don’t have much work left in order for the IP to be self-sufficient.

“Part of our duty here, outside of combat operations, is to make sure the IPs are getting paid, they are receiving fuel, and they are receiving equipment,” Sharbo said. “Right now we’re helping supply them, but it’s not a permanent thing. We are still setting them up to sustain themselves and when we leave we’re going to make sure they can support themselves.”
Although the mission failed to turn up any insurgents, the IP and Coalition forces considered their work that evening a success.

“The mission today helped a lot to cement the local support for the police and Coalition force efforts here,” Sharbo said. “The insurgents closed off all the business here and people were prisoners in their own homes. Now people can come and go as they please.”

For the Soldiers working in Abu Bali, serving with the Iraqi Security Forces and seeing the effects of their combined efforts on the people is a good feeling.

“Most of the success here is from the Iraqi Police,” said Spc. Dustin Dunckel, an infantryman with Co. A, 3-69 Armor. “They are from this area, and know the people and the land. By us building up a strong police force here, we’ve established a confidence among the IPs and the people.”

The missions the troops conduct with the Iraqi Security Forces are a far cry from the combat the troops experienced less than six months ago.

“When we first got here there were lots of improvised explosive devices, sniper and mortar fire here,” said the 26-year-old, Lansing, Mich., native. Dunckel added, “Working with the Iraqi Security Forces and patrolling the area has made this place safer now. The groups here are proud and stern Iraqis who I can trust to do their job well.”

(Story by U.S. Army Spc. Ricardo Branch, 1st BCT Public Affairs)

In other recent developments here:
Coalition airpower supported Coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations Tuesday, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

Task Force Marne AH-64 Apache helicopters responded to an improvised explosive device strike Monday, killing the four extremist militants responsible.

Labels: 3-69 Armor, Abu Waitha, Good News, Iraq, Iraqi Police, Iraqi Security Forces, MNF-I

Lt. Col. Ryan Kuhn, deputy commanding officer assigned to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, speaks with Brig. Gen. Allawi, deputy district commander, before a ribbon cutting ceremony July 17, 2007, marking the opening of the new Iraqi police station in Wahida, Iraq. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Natalie Rostek


Brig. Gen. Allawi, deputy district commander, cuts the ribbon with Lt. Col. Jack Marr, commander of 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, at a ceremony July 17, 2007, to open the new Wahida police station. The old police station down the road from the new one only had three rooms and the front of the building was a mosque. The station was not equipped with the resources for a unit whose main mission is providing security to the people of Wahida. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Natalie Rostek


The morale leader for the Wahida police leads a cheer as fellow Iraqi policemen respond at a ribbon cutting ceremony to open the new Iraqi police station, July 17, 2007, in Wahida, Iraq. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Natalie Rostek


Lt. Col. Kareem, station commander of the new Wahida police station, makes a speech to Iraqi policemen and leaders of the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, July 17, 2007, at the newly opened station in Wahida, Iraq. The old police station down the road from the new one only had three rooms and the front of the building was a mosque. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Natalie Rostek


Brig. Gen. Allawi, deputy district commander, explains the significance of the symbols on a plaque before giving it as a gift to Capt. Ravindra Wagh, at the newly opened police station in, Wahida, Iraq, July 17, 2007. Wagh served as head of the project to build the station. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Natalie Rostek


An Iraqi policeman salutes Lt. Col. Ryan Kuhn, deputy commanding officer of the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, before receiving a gift for outstanding support at the newly opened police station in Wahida, Iraq, July 17, 2007. The old police station down the road from the new one only had three rooms and the front of the building was a mosque. The station was not equipped with the resources for a unit whose main mission is providing security to the people of Wahida. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Natalie Rostek



More photo essays at DefendAmerica

Labels: Good News, Iraq, Iraqi Police, photo essays, photos, US Army, Wahida

NOTE: Emphasis added to portions of this release by me. --Pam

Discovery
An Iraqi Police officer from Jadidah, Iraq, and a Soldier from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, unearth a large improvised explosive device cache discovered near Baqubah, Iraq, Saturday.


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR# 022507-01
Feb. 25, 2007

BAQUBAH, Iraq – An informant’s tip led Iraqi Police officers from Judidah, Iraq, and Coalition Forces from the 1-12 Combined Arms Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, to a large improvised explosive device cache in the Baqubah area Saturday.

The cache consisted of:

· 2 explosively formed projectiles in various stages of assembly

· One completed improvised mine and more than a dozen others in various stages of construction

· More than two dozen mortar rounds and 15 rockets

· Over 130 disks capable of producing as many individual EFPs

· Six rocket launchers

· Five anti-aircraft rounds

· Over two dozen RPG warheads

· More than 400 plastic and steel containers in various stages of fabrication for IED construction

· Large quantities of IED-making material such as detonation cord, C4, blasting caps, fuses, EFP launching tubes, bags of ball bearings and voltage regulators

"The vigilance of the Iraqi Police and the willingness of the people of Diyala to end the cycle of violence led to this discovery,” said Col. David W. Sutherland, 3-1 Cav. commander and senior U.S. Army officer in Diyala province.

A Coalition Forces explosive ordnance disposal unit safely disposed of some of the munitions with the majority of the cache being transferred to Forward Operating Base Warhorse.

"The terrorists and sectarian fighters who use these explosives have no other desire than to stop the progress of the country,” Sutherland said. “Their hatred manifests itself in the weapons that these supplies would have been used for. The people realize this and understand that progress is impossible without stopping the violence.

"The people are choosing, and they are choosing progress and development by
providing information," he added.



Cache, Cache 2
Iraqi Police officers from Jadidah, Iraq, in partnership with Coalition Forces from 1-12 Combined Arms Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, discover a large improvised explosive device cache containing supplies for explosively formed projectiles near Baqubah, Iraq, Saturday.

Labels: 1-12 Combined Arms Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division, 3BCT, Baqubah, Good News, Iraq, Iraqi Police, Operation Iraqi Freedom, photos, weapons cache