« Previous · Home · Next »
Won - But not forgotten
By Richard S. Lowry
Yesterday, I received an interesting group of press releases from Iraq. The stories were dramatically different from what we have become accustomed to. There were stories of fire bases converted to schools, more Iraqis stepping up to defend their own country, renovation of archaeological ruins, art shows and a few minor "police actions."
We are winning. We will withdraw, but please remember next year that we will be drawing down our force in Iraq because of the heroic work during this administration. I can hear it now. Obama will claim that he singlehandedly ended the war in Iraq. Mark my words and please never forget who won this war. It was the American soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who left their homes to bring peace and stability to this world.
Richard S. Lowry is the award-wining author of “The Gulf War Chronicles” and “Marines in the Garden of Eden.” He served in the U.S. Navy Submarine Service from 1967-1975 and spent the time from 1975 to 2002 designing sophisticated integrated circuits for everything from aircraft avionics to home computers. He is currently working on his next book, “New Dawn,” which will tell of the fight to free Fallujah. Visit www.marinesinthegardenofeden.com for more information.
Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20081022-04
Oct. 22, 2008
IA soldiers seize huge weapons cache in Sadr City
Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO
BAGHDAD – Iraq Army soldiers seized a huge weapons and munitions cache in the Sadr City district of Baghdad Oct. 21. At approximately 4 p.m., IA soldiers serving with the 3rd Battalion, 42nd Brigade, 11th Iraq Army Division, seized the cache believed to be abandoned by Special Groups criminals. The cache consisted of 61 rockets of various sizes, 15 which were Iranian manufactured,
351 mortar rounds of various sizes, including 36 Iranian-made, more than 32,000 rounds of ammunition, 17 Iranian-manufactured fuse mortar rounds, 263 different sizes of mortar tubes, including two Iranian-manufactured, and various sizes of projectiles, rocket-propelled grenades launchers and grenades, as well as a remote car improvised explosive device, a remote RPG launcher, shape charges, TNT primers, armor plates, handheld radios, homemade silencers, and seven DSHKA machine guns.
“In addition to the sheer size of this cache, what is most encouraging about this find is that it is yet another example of the Iraqi Army taking the initiative and conducting independent operations in what was once a criminal stronghold. Because of their efforts these weapons will never be used to harm Iraqi citizens,” said Lt. Col. Michael Pemrick, deputy brigade commander of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.
Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20081022-05
Oct. 22, 2008
IA gives back to students; school reopens after two
years
Multi-National Division – Center PAO
CAMP STRIKER, Iraq – The 23rd Brigade, 17th Iraqi Army Division handed out gift bags to students from the Sanadid School in Shakeriyah and the al Fatoh
Elementary School in Al Fatoh Oct. 19. “It is always a good thing when the children receive gifts, they enjoy seeing the Iraqi Army soldiers come through the school,” said Soad Ahmed Jasaim, Sanadid School assistant headmaster. “The IA has done a lot for us recently, especially in giving this school back, when two months ago it was (used) by American Soldiers.”
For two years, the Sanadid School was used by Coalition forces as Patrol Base Lion’s Den until Sept. 6 when it was transitioned back to IA control. The IA reopened the school upon taking over the base. Classes took place in tents during that two-year period. Educating upwards of 800 students, the IA knew converting the building back to a school was the top priority. “Today we are showing that we care and that we will give back to the people in need,” said Col. Alcram Sadam Mathuaf, 23rd Bde, 17th IA Div. commander. “We are giving the children school supplies and items they both need and want.” Giving the area back was only the beginning, as there is still work to be done in the school.
“The students are like my children, I will ensure that I help them the best way I possibly can,” Mathuaf said. “Starting next week we are going to start painting the school and doing small things that we can accomplish at our level.” The plan is to ensure the school is supplied with electricity through a generator run by 2nd Battalion, 23rd Bde, 17th IA Div and clean bottled water. “We are doing what we can in order to support these schools and make sure they are getting what they need,” said Lt. Col. Fatatl Rasheid Hamid, 2nd Bn. 23rd Bde, 17th IA Div commander.
The IA soldiers who handed out the gift bags were as cheerful as the children who received them. Hamid said that his soldiers were proud to give back and he plans to continue providing for the schools in the future.
Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20081022-06
Oct. 22, 2008
Photos: Qadisiya province sheikhs attend SoI meeting
Multi-National Division – Center PAO
CAMP ECHO, Iraq –
Colonel Jassim Hamiza, 1st Battalion, 30th Brigade, 8th Iraqi Army Division
commander, speaks to the assembly of Qadisiya province sheikhs during a
meeting reviewing the new registration process for the SoI program, which is
transferring from CF’s control to the GoI, at Camp Echo Oct.18. Lieutenant
Colonel Douglas Cardinale, 2nd Combined Arms Battalion, 8th Infantry
Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, commander, also
spoke and participated in the event.
Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20081022-09
Oct. 22, 2008
MND-B Soldiers help plan to rebuild historical
landmarks
Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO
CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Plans are in the works to help restore one of Aqur Quf’s
oldest landmark: the Ziggurat. The Ziggurat of Aqur Quf, which lies west of Baghdad, is one of the best preserved religious landmarks of its kind in Iraq. It dates back to 1400 B.C. and was built as a monument to the local religion.
Soldiers from Company C, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, attached to 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, are working in conjunction with the citizens of Iraq and branches of the Government of Iraq to rebuild and repair the site and buildings in an effort to reopen the Ziggurat as a tourist attraction.
Once open, it will offer a promising future of commerce from around the Middle East. The rebuilding alone will offer work for the Iraqi citizens through the rebuilding, and once the rebuilding is complete and open to the public, it will provide the economy with a steady working environment and a constant flow of tourists, which will provide business to other merchants in Aqur Quf, said Capt. Devon McRainey, Co. C executive officer. “It feels good to be a part rebuilding important historical sights of Iraq’s culture,” he said.
The project will begin with the repair to the fence that surrounds the Ziggurat. The next step is to ensure the safety of the historical artifacts, which will be brought back to the site from a holding place in Baghdad. The artifacts are currently held by the Ministry of Ruins until the completion of the repairs. Once the project is finished the Aqur Quf Ziggurat will be the home to a new restaurant, park and tours guided by historians.
“This will stand as an example that Iraqi security is improving,” said Capt.
David Uthlaut, Co. C commander. “If we leave any mark on the people of Iraq, this will be a great one.”
Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20081022-10
Oct. 22, 2008
Hillah art students showcase talents at FOB Kalsu
Multi-National Division – Center PAO
FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – Students and recent graduates of the al-Hillah College of Art placed their talents on display for U.S. service members at Forward Operating Base Kalsu Oct. 19.
In an initiative sponsored by the north Babil embedded Provincial Reconstruction Team for the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, the local artists displayed their pieces during a lunchtime art show in the Kalsu dining facility.
Maj. Kim Peeples, team leader for the ePRT, credited the 2nd Battalion,
502nd Infantry Regiment, which is attached to the Vanguard Brigade and includes the art school’s neighborhood in its area of responsibility. “Lt. Col. (Michael) Getchell called us. He had seen students painting Twalls outside of Haswah and asked if we could put something together,” she said.
T-wall beautification has been one of the youth projects sponsored in the Babil Province. As part of its capacity-building role in the area, the ePRT hopes to partner young artists with government officials to paint murals and help build their resumes. “We want to strengthen them as an art organization,” Peeples said. Eight of the group’s 65 art students were on-hand to paint and sell their artwork. One of the recent graduates, Sajit Jalil Karim, is anxious for the art society to expand.
“Hopefully we’ll be able to serve all of Iraq,” Sajit said.
Though selling his paintings that afternoon, Sajit also specializes in drawings. He said he always had a natural talent for art, one that was encouraged by friends. “I feel like I’m in a different world,” Sajit said about how he feels when he approaches each piece. “It’s how you convey ideas, like through poetry.” Ahmed Jasim, a fellow artist still attending school, is looking forward to the next show when he hopes to display sculptures in addition to his paintings. “You see so much of the history of Iraq in sculpture,” he said. “I’ve been very interested in historical artwork and the symbols of Iraq since I was a child.”
The Kalsu art show is step one. After offering their artwork for sale in the dining facility Oct. 19, the show transitioned to Kalsu’s local bazaar. The artists, in the meantime, will stay busy this week painting T-walls and barriers in the FOB’s common areas. Plans for a second show in November are already underway.
The art show and T-wall paintings were co-sponsored by the 703rd Brigade Support Battalion FOB Kalsu Mayor Cell.
Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20081022-12
Oct. 22, 2008
MND-B Soldiers detain criminals operating in Rashid
Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO
BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers arrested two suspected
criminals during combat operations Oct. 21-22 in the Rashid district of southern
Baghdad.
At approximately 11:30 p.m. Oct. 21, Soldiers from Troop C, 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, MND-B, conducting a target raid, detained a special groups criminal suspected of conducting improvised explosive device attacks and building weapons caches in the Abu T’shir community of southern Baghdad.
At approximately 12:45 a.m. Oct. 22, Soldiers of Company D, 2nd Battalion, 4th Inf. Regt., attached to the 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div., MND-B, conducted a target raid in Rashid’s Aamel community, capturing a suspected militia leader responsible for operating militia safe houses and an IED-making cell in southern Baghdad.
“Capturing known criminals that engage in the production of weapons shows the commitment of U.S. Soldiers to provide a safe and secure environment for the 1.5 million residents of the Rashid district. These suspected criminals will now face justice in an Iraqi court of Law,” said Maj. Dave Olson, 1st BCT spokesman, 4th Inf. Div., MND-B. “The 1st ‘Raider’ BCT and the Iraqi Security Forces patrol the streets of the Rashid district daily to serve and protect the citizens of Baghdad and to bring security and stability to the area. The Coalition forces and ISF of Rashid will continue to see more progress in the future due to their untiring efforts to serve the local populace.”
MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE-IRAQ
PRESS DESK
BAGHDAD, Iraq
http://www.mnf-iraq.com
703.343.8790
Press Release A081023a-110
Oct. 23, 2008
Coalition forces apprehend Special Groups suspects
BAGHDAD – Coalition forces continue to degrade the Special Groups network with the capture of three suspects Thursday morning during two separate operations in New Baghdad.
Acting on intelligence information, Coalition forces targeted suspected Iranian-trained criminals assessed to conduct attacks on Iraqi and Coalition forces; specializing in Explosively Formed Penetrators, sniper attacks and intelligence collection.
During the first operation, forces moved in on the target area where they detained one suspected Special Group criminal.
In the second operation, Coalition forces detained two more suspects without incident. In the last 72 hours, Coalition forces have apprehended seven Special Groups criminals.
According to Special Groups criminals already in custody, the organization receives funding, training, weapons and even direction from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard - Quds Force. Through its militia-proxies, the IRGC-QF attempts to destabilize the legitimate government of Iraq.
Richard S. Lowry is the award-wining author of “The Gulf War Chronicles” and “Marines in the Garden of Eden.” He served in the U.S. Navy Submarine Service from 1967-1975 and spent the time from 1975 to 2002 designing sophisticated integrated circuits for everything from aircraft avionics to home computers. He is currently working on his next book, “New Dawn,” which will tell of the fight to free Fallujah. Visit www.marinesinthegardenofeden.com for more information.
TrackBack
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://op-for.com/mt/mt-tb.cgi/1908
Comments
I have to ask the same question: What has he said, for you to come up with that assumption? He's not Bush; who, with his PR stunt, claimed victory five years prematurely before the most heavy loss of American lives.
Hey, at least you think Obama will win the Presidency. I'll take that!
Leave it to the BHO supporters to completely miss the point.
He'll reap the benefits of all the years of hard work and fighting done under a President who's love of his country is not questionable. Much like Clinton's reaping the fruits of economic growth started under Reagan and GHWB.
"The messiah" (better known to people with clear vision as BHO), who's feelings about this country ARE questionable, will do this because weak-minded individuals can't see past the hype, and will hand this guy the most powerful position in the western world.
Good luck to us all. We will need it.
Chris, I hope you don't come away from this blog thinking GregS is representative of all VMI grads.
Indeed, I don't. I know and much respect many VMI grads for being able to think independently of Rush Limbaugh.
Not all think that way, maybe not even most.
I'm not a graduate of VMI.
But I am intelligent enough to know that just because I frequently agree with Rush Limbaugh, I have a mind of my own and know with all the lies being thrown around it's entirely possible BHO will claim something just that outlandish.
(You know, he plans to grow the economy from the bottom up, but won't tell us exactly how that will work, except that he'll "spread the wealth around".
And anyone who is clued into the news knows what Chris calls a "stunt" was a suggestion by General Franks.
Thanks GregS.
It was a very nice idea! Just wanna say thank you for the information you have shared. Just continue writing this kind of post. I will be your loyal reader. Thanks again.
Post a comment
Potential comment conditions listed here. Oh, and you may use basic HTML for formatting.
"Obama will claim that he singlehandedly ended the war in Iraq." Maybe, though I kinda doubt it. What has he ever said or done to make you think that?