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Sometimes an army runs on its haricuts

The Administration Affairs School held its first Barber Course graduation ceremony at Camp Taji here March 1. The seven graduates, from five Iraqi Army divisions, gained new tonsorial skills they will use immediately to support the soldiers in their units. The course, which began Feb. 1, included training in sanitation and hygiene, familiarization with the tools and equipment, barber history and shaving techniques during the practical exercises. All soldiers met the minimum requirements on theoretical and practical assessments for completion of the course. “I am Infantry, so I have learned something new,” said Pvt. Ali Abd Alameer, 8th Division. “I will use what I have learned with the soldiers at my unit.” At the graduation ceremony, Brig. Gen. Abd Al Kareem, commander of the school, presented each student with … Read entire article »

Filed under: Iraq, Rebuilding, War on Terror

Tear down that wall, Samarra!

Tear down that wall, Samarra!

Scores of Samarra citizens joined provincial and community leaders March 23 to attend a concrete barrier removal ceremony reminiscent of the opening of the Berlin wall nearly twenty years ago. The concrete barriers, commonly known as “T-walls,” surround several government and military buildings throughout Samarra to provide a layer of protection against insurgent attacks. While T-walls have become a familiar site in Iraq, they are a sign of more dangerous times, and most citizens agree … Read entire article »

Filed under: Iraq, Rebuilding, War on Terror

Camp Ramadi Returned to Iraq

This is a very big deal, considering the terrorist problems in the region just two years ago. Camp Ramadi was signed over to the Iraq government in a memorandum of agreement signed by Iraqi army and U.S. military officials at Camp Ali, Iraq Tuesday. Camp Ali, which is a segment of Camp Ramadi occupied by the Iraqi army, is located about 70 miles west of Baghdad in Ar Ramadi, the provincial capital of the Al Anbar Province. The MOA was signed by Staff Brig. Gen. Adel, the commander of the First Quick Reaction Force Brigade, Iraqi army, headquartered at Camp Ali, and U.S. Army Col. Ronald Kapral, the commander of Camp Ramadi and the 81st Brigade Combat Team, Washington Army National Guard. The memorandum was a tenant agreement of sorts. It outlined … Read entire article »

Filed under: Iraq, Rebuilding, War on Terror

Bosnia-Herzegovina Allies Head Home After 3 Yrs

In a ceremony at Hope Chapel on Victory Base Complex Nov. 29, a contingent of military forces from Bosnia-Herzegovina was honored by their Coalition partners for their service in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The historic event marked the end of a commitment that started in June 2005. “This is a historic day for the nation of Iraq and for the nation of Bosnia-Herzegovina,” said Maj. Gen. Michael Ferriter, deputy commanding general for operations, Multi-National Corps – Iraq, “It is also a bittersweet day since we must farewell a long time partner of the Coalition but in doing so recognize that their departure represents a great success that has been achieved here in Iraq, success that could not be achieved without their support.” While the Bosnian-Herzegovina troop numbers were less … Read entire article »

Filed under: Iraq, Our Allies, War on Terror

Reaching Out to the Marsh Arabs

The Government of Iraq, with a few Coalition forces, reached out to the Lahijia tribe, a sub tribe of the Abbu Muhammed tribe, of Iraq’s Marsh Arabs near Basra Nov. 2. The humanitarian aid mission was led by the Iraqi Army, provincial councils, local veterinarians and community leaders. It was supported by a small group of British and American forces, and is part of a bigger GoI program to reach out to the marsh area’s population and include them in the Government of Iraq. “The mission was to treat the people of the Rota village near Basra,” said Yousif Yousif, physician, Iraqi advisory task force, 44th Medical Command. “We saw about 450 men, women and children. Most of the cases were simple.” … Read entire article »

Filed under: Iraq, Rebuilding, War on Terror

Macedonian Rangers in Baghdad

Another ally working alongside the new Iraqi Army. Iraqi Army soldiers and Macedonian Rangers attached to Multi-National Division – Baghdad, uncovered weapons caches in Baghdad Sept. 9. While on patrol the Macedonian Rangers discovered a cache north of Baghdad at approximately 2:30 p.m. The weapons included two inert 550 French-manufactured air-to-air missiles and a 185 mm high-explosive projectile. At approximately 11:30 p.m. soldiers serving with 1st Battalion, 54th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, along with its attached MND – B Military Transition Team, found a cache while on a cordon and search mission in Baghdad’s Mansour district. The cache included five concussion grenades, an RPG-7 rocket-propelled grenade, multiple wireless radio communications and monitoring equipment and a Special Groups platoon roster. “Our Coalition forces partners, the Macedonian Rangers and the Iraqi Army, continue to make … Read entire article »

Filed under: Iraq, Our Allies, Rebuilding, War on Terror

Market Street Reopens in Siniyah

For more than a year, the former Ba’ath Party stronghold of Siniyah was without its main thoroughfare for trade and commerce, but that all changed as the city’s Mayor officially opened Market Street during a ribbon-cutting ceremony July 26. More than 40 shops and small businesses were forced to close due to the lack of business when the restriction of the road was announced in July of 2007. The Joint Security Station located near the market area was vulnerable to vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices, causing Iraqi Security and Coalition forces to take measures ensuring the safety of the forces housed there. Market Street was also closed due to the high levels of violence and the significant number of attacks the area was experiencing. “Shop owners were anxious to reopen their shops,” said Capt. … Read entire article »

Filed under: Iraq, Rebuilding, War on Terror

New Friends in Suwayrah

New Friends in Suwayrah

Corporal Sam Weaver, from Fayetteville, N.C., an assistant team leader with Company B, 13th Psychological Operations Battalion, talks to residents of the city of Suwayrah in northern Wasit province. As part of a patrol with Soldiers of Company B, 2nd Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment. Weaver spoke with citizens to learn about their views and concerns on several issues. Walking down the busy streets of Suwayrah at sundown, the city’s residents met Soldiers with handshakes and friendly … Read entire article »

Filed under: Iraq, Rebuilding, War on Terror

Iraqi Army At Work in Sadr City

Iraqi Army soldiers working to secure the area in the Sadr City district of Baghdad uncovered weapons caches July 9. At approximately 2 p.m., Iraqi Army soldiers seized four 120 mm mortars, an 82 mm mortar, a 60 mm mortar and four 30 mm rockets. The weapons were later turned in to Mulit-National Division Soldiers at a joint security station. At approximately 7:15 p.m., soldiers with the 44th Brigade, 11th Iraqi Army Division, found 171 copper blocks. [ed. note - used for IEDs] MNF-I … Read entire article »

Filed under: Iraq, War on Terror