Iraqi police and U.S. Soldiers carry a bag of book bags to a school in the Faylaq neighborhood during their combined humanitarian mission, Dec. 22. Photo by Pfc. Jessica Luhrs

Three hundred Iraqi schoolchildren in the village of Faylaq, near the Iraqi city of Kirkuk, Iraq, were treated to a surprise donation of school necessities Dec. 22.

In an effort to improve education in Kirkuk, Iraqi police and members of the Al-Atyah Women’s Organization, assisted by Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, attached to 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, donated school supplies for children.

This humanitarian mission was a part of a larger mission to reach out to the people in this neighborhood, said Hanna Hasan Husein, a leader at Al-Atyah.

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Russell Raines, the 1st platoon leader for B-Company, 1st Batt., 30th Inf. Regt., whose platoon helped the IP’s and Women’s Organization members in delivering the supplies, believes these combined activities are important to stability in the region.

The progress the IP’s, AAWO and U.S. forces are making in the villages can already be seen, according to Husein. The children are talking to the IP’s and Soldiers, laughing, smiling and at one point the children were singing with the IP’s.

Humanitarian aid plays a huge part in the fight we are in now, said Husein. It allows the people to see the IP are here to also help them, not just conduct raids or combat patrols.

It is important for the Iraqi population to see the IP’s and U.S. forces conducting these types of operations which show that we are allies and not occupiers, according to Raines.

Raines also feels it is a welcome change of pace for him and his Soldiers to be able to help children.

For everyone involved it is a powerful experience, through partnership we were able to improve the lives of these students, Raines explained.

“The IP and U.S. forces mission here is the people of Iraq,” said Raines. “We want them to know we are all here to protect them and keep them safe.”

“Throughout their time here, 1st Batt., 30th Inf. Reg. plans on assisting the Iraqi police and AAWO,” said Raines.

According to Raines, U.S. forces, the IP’s and Women’s Organization will continue to deliver school supplies and other items not available to students.

“This helps the community build a relationship of trust with the IP’s and hopefully a better future,” said Raines.

DVIDS
Story by Pfc. Jessica Luhrs

The high-pitched sound of children laughing and a rollercoaster’s rumble were heard at the Kirkuk Amusement Park on the outskirts of Kirkuk City, Aug. 18.

Iraqi Police (IP), their children, and U.S. Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, traveled in groups, wandering the park looking for the best rides.

Weeks of planning went into this event and many local IP enjoyed the opportunity to bring their families to the park and introduce them to the U.S. Soldiers they work with on a regular basis.

“This is the first chance I have had to bring my family to the amusement park,” said Capt. Louay Wahad Ali, an IP from the local area who brought his nephews along with him. “They really like it because they feel safe and can relax and have fun.”

“It is very fun to come here with my uncle,” exclaimed Ali ‘s 10-year-old nephew, Mustafa. “I love it!”

Besides giving the IP and their families a chance to get away from the city and take some much deserved time off, the event was also an opportunity for U.S. Soldiers to see the IP in a new light.

“It’s good to see the IP out and having fun,” said Spc. Jorge Huizar, a Paladin mechanic with Battery G, 3rd Bn., 82nd FA Regt. “We can have fun with them.”

For Huizar, going to an amusement park in Iraq was an unusual and welcomed surprise considering he is normally in the gunner’s seat and dismounts on missions in and around Kirkuk.

“I did not expect to go any place like this,” he said. “It’s good to feel this kind of atmosphere, especially in Iraq.”

Also present that evening was the Lion of Kirkuk, the official mascot of the Kirkuk Police, who introduced himself to the children with a resounding “Roar!”

After touring the park, the IP, children and Soldiers made their way to the rollercoaster, where they took turns riding together.

“I like the rollercoaster the most,” said Mustafa. “I’m not scared of it.”

This fearlessness will suit Mustafa well as he plans on following in his uncle’s footsteps by becoming an IP officer.

“I love seeing my uncle in his uniform; it makes me very proud,” he said. “I hope when I grow up I can wear the same thing.”

As the night came to a close, IP and Soldiers alike chatted about how much they would like to do this again soon, and plans were made for another amusement park visit in the near future.

“I would love to see this type of mission again,” said Huizar with a broad smile on his face.

MNF-I
By Pfc. Justin Naylor
1st Cavalry Division

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 the areas that will be used by Coalition forces through 2011.

The signing over of Camp Ramadi is a step toward Coalition forces pulling out and handing complete responsibility and control back over to the Iraqis.

“Signing over of Ramadi is more symbolism than it is an actual event,” said Kapral. “It shows that the U.S. military and the Coalition forces are starting to prepare to turn over and demilitarize the bases that we have been using for the past five years.

“If you look at what has been done in the past five years, the Iraqi army has started taking responsibility for their actions. They’re starting to support themselves.

“They are proving training we have given them over the past three years is starting to pay off,” Kapra said. “The Iraqi Army wants to take charge of their country, wants their bases and wants to provide the security for the people of Iraq.”

Ar Ramadi was a center of Sunni insurgent resistance in the years following the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003. The area is now better known as one of Iraq’s biggest success stories.

Coalition forces took possession of Camp Ramadi, formerly known as Camp Junction City, in 2003 shortly after the ground offensive. Since the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Ar Ramadi has had a handful of bases occupied by Coalition forces returned to the Iraq government. Camp Ramadi is now one of the last Coalition-only bases left in the Ar Ramadi area.

Although the signing marks a big step for the Iraqi government and leaders of Coalition forces, the majority of the troops stationed on Camp Ramadi will notice little change, if any.

“For those of us who physically live on Camp Ramadi, it really doesn’t change the normal day-to-day operations. What it does mean, from a long-term perspective, is that Coalition Forces are giving back the bases and land to the Iraqis, due to their sovereignty,” said Lt. Col. Kevin McMahan, the Camp Ramadi operations officer.

Force protection measures will not be changed. All camp improvement projects will continue. Iraqis will take a look at the buildings on Camp Ramadi to see if it is something they want to keep. The physical structures built on Camp Ramadi will either be prepared to be handed over in 2011 or torn down. Part of the agreement is for Coalition forces to put the base back to the way they found it.

The Iraqi army and the Iraqi Police have been taking control much more, as Coalition Forces have been stepping into the background.

“From my personal opinion, it is the beginning of the end. We are posturing to give back bases to the Iraqis. This will allow us to take a more supportive role,” said McMahan.

MNF-I

Three days after graduating a multi-week training course, the first Special Weapons and Tactics Tactical Response Team was thrust into action December with Coalition forces executed a joint operation in Basrah, Iraq.

The river-focused force filled vital over-watch positions, and maintained active security and communications with Iraqi Police and Army units as well as with Coalition units.

“This demonstrates the capability of this force, and how their training prepared them for real-world missions,” said a Coalition advisor to the TRT.

The TRT is a new capability for Iraq allowing the police to have a specially trained cadre skilled in the art of maritime and land-based, urban-strike operations.

The TRT is targeting smuggling networks and will use watercraft to gain access to areas difficult to reach, said a CF advisor to the TRT.

“Once on the objective, the TRT is trained to quickly transition from the water to the land, so the team can quickly interdict a person or facility engaged in illegal activities,” he said.

The region is a patchwork of navigable waterways ranging from rivers and tributaries to man-made canals and vast marshlands. The abundance of waterways coupled with the proximity to the Persian Gulf and Iranian border has IP officers concerned about the smuggling to Iraq’s enemies.

“Outlaws use the river to hideout and transport weapons from across the border,” said the Iraqi lieutenant in charge of the Basrah TRT.

The TRT will also allow the IP a quick means of reaching small villages to either track down an enemy or deliver assistance to fellow citizens, he added.

While the TRT is now considered the lone, elite river-focused strike force in the IP, the training for the team began on land for the IP volunteers coming from numerous precincts in and around Basrah.

The TRT candidates were taught advanced weapons skills and the principles of waterborne insertion and extraction, said a Coalition advisor to the TRT.

“Within a month, I’ve seen leaders emerging within the team, taking responsibility and pushing each other to do better and get stronger … It’s very encouraging,” said the Coalition advisor mentoring the TRT.

For those who recently endured the difficult training and physical demands to see graduation day, they stand ready to protect Iraq.

“We completed the toughest training and became one of the best and most brave within the IP,” said the Iraqi officer in charge of the TRT during his address to the class during graduation.

MNF-I

The Euphrates River fulfills many of the economic needs for the people of Iraq. For all of its advantages though, it does create a challenge for the Iraqi police who are in charge of security for the area.

To remedy this situation, Sailors with Riverine Squadron 3, Riverine Detachment 2, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5 have been holding classes for the IP on basic seamanship.

“We are teaching them the basics so when we leave they will be able to take over patrolling the river,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Jason H. Gialenes, 24, from Huntington Beach, Calif., who is a gunner and instructor with Riverine Squadron 3.

WORKING TOGETHER AFLOAT
The policemen in the class came from all over western al-Anbar province to learn everything from knot tying to boat maneuvers as they learn to adapt their police knowledge to aquatic patrolling. For many of the policemen, the 21-day class is there first experience working on boats.

“They are already police officers, so they know how to patrol and move on the land,” said Gialenes. “We are trying to get them comfortable with operating the boats.”

With policemen from several different police departments in western al-Anbar province and different backgrounds, the Riverines, as the Sailors liked to called, make a point of teaching the policemen to work together.

“Even though some of them come from different tribes, we really tried to emphasize them working as a team,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Ramzi Zinnekah, 34, from Palm Springs, Calif., who is an electronics technician and the class instructor with Riverine Squadron 3.

NAVY SEAMANSHIP
The course is based on Naval seamanship classes that Zinnekah, who is fluent in Arabic, teaches in Arabic. Gialenes then takes the students out for practical application along with several other instructors.

“The classes are good because they teach us, and everyone knows what is going on,” said Lt. 1st class Mansour Sa’id Rwaili through an interpreter, who has been with the Haditha-Barwana police force for two years. “Ramzi [Zinnekah] explains things so we know what they want us to do.”

Once on the water, the instructors on the boats run scenarios with the policemen in which they practice approaching other crafts and high-speed maneuvering. The policemen even practice “surprise” man-overboard drills to keep them alert.

“[The policemen] are learning really well; like if I jump out of the boat to simulate a man-overboard they know how to respond and get me back on the boat, said Petty Officer 2nd Class Russel E. Osbun, 23, who is from El Centro, Calif., who is a training instructor with Riverine Squadron 3. “I enjoy the cultural exchange and watching them learn something that is going to help them provide a service for their country.”

DVIDS
By Lance Cpl. Paul M. Torres
Regimental Combat Team 5