An Iraqi child insisted having his picture taken with Sgt. Erin James Brown, a native of Sidney, Neb., and team leader assigned to Battery B, 1st Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad. Paratroopers assisted Iraqi army soldiers assigned to 1st Company, 2nd Battalion, 37th Brigade, 9th Infantry Division during a counter-improvised explosive device operation in the Al Karradhah District of eastern Baghdad, Dec. 31, 2008. The neighborhood residents greeted Paratroopers throughout the patrol asking for handshakes and pictures. Under the security agreement Iraqi security forces will now oversee all military operations in Iraq.
Photo By: Staff Sgt. Alex Licea – 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division Public Affairs

An Iraqi army soldier assigned to 1st Company, 2nd Battalion, 37th Brigade, 9th Infantry Division conducts a patrol in a Al Karradhah District neighborhood Dec 31, 2008 in eastern Baghdad. IA soldiers were assisted in the counter-improvised explosive device operation by Paratroopers assigned to Battery B, 1st Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad. Under the security agreement Iraqi security forces will now oversee all military operations in Iraq.
Photo By: Staff Sgt. Alex Licea – 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division Public Affairs

Afghanistan and Iraq Update: U.S. Military Continues Great Work

Coalition forces and Afghan commandos killed 38 militants and seized multiple weapons caches on January 6 and January 7, 2009 during operations to disrupt bomb networks in Afghanistan’s Farah and Laghman provinces.

January 6, 2009 in Afghanistan

Coalition forces killed 32 armed insurgents and detained a suspected militant during an operation to disrupt the Taliban’s roadside bomb network in Laghman province.

Coalition forces were targeting a Taliban cell in Alishang district, northeast of the capital city of Kabul, suspected of carrying out roadside-bomb attacks against civilians and coalition forces throughout the region.

During the operation, about 75 armed militants engaged forces with small-arms fire from rooftops and alleyways. Coalition forces returned small-arms fire while protecting several villagers. No civilian casualties were reported.

Forces seized two large caches of weapons, explosives and other roadside bomb-making materials that included AK-47 assault rifles, rocket-propelled grenades, PKM machine guns and blocks of explosives bundled together. The forces destroyed the caches.

January 7, 2009 in Afghanistan

Coalition forces and Afghan commandos killed six militants during a raid on a compound in Farah province’s Kakhi Safyed district. Among the militants killed were a leader believed to have conducted attacks on Afghan and coalition forces and the alleged chief bodyguard for a high-level Taliban commander. The bodyguard is suspected of providing bombs and bomb-making materials to militant forces in the province’s Bala Baluk district.

Also during the operation, militants engaged forces with small-arms fire from inside the compound. Forces returned fire, killing the militants, while protecting local residents.

A coalition soldier received a minor gunshot wound, and a commando was injured during the fight. The commando was evacuated to a local hospital for treatment. Both men are expected to recover. No civilian casualties were reported.

Forces later seized and destroyed a weapons cache that contained rocket-propelled grenades, AK-47 assault rifles, sniper-rifle systems, machine guns and ammunition.

Moving East to Iraq, the U.S. military and the Iraqi military have been busy finishing up the process of helping to rebuild Iraq.

January 5, 2009 in Iraq

Iraqi National Police and U.S. soldiers confiscated four hand grenades in the Aamel community.

A tip led Iraqi soldiers to a weapons cache in Diyala province, northeast of Baghdad, that included six rocket-propelled grenade launchers, about 50 RPG warheads, a 130 mm round with fuse, a 122 mm rocket, about 50 rockets, a machine gun with several cases of rounds, detonation cord, bomb-making materials, small-arms rifles with rounds and bipods, and three Iraqi police vests.

January 6, 2009 in Iraq

U.S. soldiers and Iraqi security forces yesterday arrested two men suspected of attacking coalition forces in southern Baghdad’s Rashid district.

Iraqi and U.S. soldiers discovered roadside bomb-making materials in Baghdad’s Saydiyah neighborhood. Iraqi soldiers transported the materials to their headquarters for disposal.

U.S. soldiers and Iraqi police seized a weapons cache in Baghdad’s Aamel community consisting of a hand grenade, two explosive batteries, two speakers with speaker wire and a router. The police officers brought the items to a nearby Iraqi National Police headquarters for disposal.

U.S. and Iraqi soldiers discovered five 81 mm mortar rounds in Baghdad’s Jihad community. An explosive ordnance disposal unit disposed of the munitions.

Iraqi and U.S. soldiers confiscated a weapons cache in Baghdad’s Kadamiyah district that included three 60 mm mortars, a partial mortar tube, two rocket-propelled grenade warheads, a rifle and two fuses.

It appears to me that time is finally starting to work. That is, after so many years in Iraq, things are starting to look up a little.

This is Sgt. Stryker signing out.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Makaiwa Gunn from Puhi, Kauai, Hawaii, assigned to Charlie Company, 2nd Infantry Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division shakes hands with a little Iraqi boy during a patrol in Samarra, Iraq, on Dec. 30, 2008.
Photo By: Sgt. Kani Ronningen – Joint Combat Camera Center Iraq

Early 09 Iraq Update: More Progress in Iraq

A new year has begun and the United States military is still doing its job around the world. Here’s a look at some of what went down in Iraq over the weekend.

January 4, 2009 Iraq Operations:

U.S. soldiers and Iraqi security forces detained two suspected terrorists yesterday at the scene of an explosion in the Masafee community of Baghdad’s Rashid district. The men are suspected of setting off two homemade bombs. No injuries were reported.

U.S. soldiers and Iraqi security forces seized a “sticky” bomb attached to a car in Baghdad’s Rashid district. The makeshift magnetic bomb was attached to the undercarriage of a vehicle belonging to a “Sons of Iraq” civilian security group leader. An Iraqi explosive ordnance disposal unit disposed of the bomb.

U.S. and Iraqi soldiers confiscated an improvised explosive device in Baghdad’s Adhamiyah district. An Iraqi EOD team detonated the device.

January 3, 2009 Iraq Operations:

A Kut special weapons and tactics team arrested two suspected criminals in Numaniyah, southeast of Baghdad. One of the suspects is believed to be responsible for attacks against coalition forces in Wasit province.

Hillah SWAT personnel arrested a man suspected of attacks against coalition and Iraqi security forces.

Ramadi SWAT personnel nabbed a suspect accused of drug dealing, weapons smuggling and counterfeiting U.S. currency in Tameem, east of Baghdad.

In Najaf, south of Baghdad, Iraqi soldiers arrested two suspected terrorists, including an alleged criminal cell leader believed to be responsible for bombing attacks on coalition convoys in the Manathera area.

In Maysan province, U.S. and Iraqi soldiers detained three suspects and seized a weapons cache that included 58 81 mm mortar rounds, three ammunition cans of 7.62 mm rounds, two AK-47 assault rifles, two shotguns, a .50-caliber sniper rifle, a 7.62 mm sniper rifle, a pistol, a can of .50-caliber rounds and kit for making a bomb specifically designed to pierce armored vehicles.

Iraqi and U.S. soldiers conducting combined operations found a weapons cache in Baghdad’s Mansour district. The cache included a 130 mm projectile, two 85 mm rockets, an 82 mm mortar, two mortar fuses, six 14.5 mm small-arms projectiles and a rocket-propelled grenade expelling charge.

In Baghdad’s Rashid district, Iraqi police and U.S. soldiers arrested four people found with bombing materials. In another operation in the area, U.S. soldiers found 30 anti-tank mines, an AK-47 assault rifle and three AK-47 magazines.

In other Iraq news, on Monday, January 5, 2009, Vice President Dick Cheney had some words about the situation in Iraq while on the CBS program “Face the Nation.”

“I think Iraq is much better off than it was before we went in in ’03 and got rid of Saddam Hussein. I think we are close to achieving most of our objectives,” he added.

Violence and death in Iraq today are sharply down, Cheney said, while Iraqis are firmly on the path to democracy after decades of cruel and despotic rule under Saddam.

“We’ve seen a significant reduction in the overall level of violence, more now than any time since we’ve been there in the spring of ’03,” Cheney said. “We’ve seen the elimination of one of the world’s worst regimes. We’ve seen the Iraqis write a constitution [and] hold three national elections.”

The United States and Iraq signed two agreements that became effective Jan. 1, Cheney said, that underscore Iraq’s status as a sovereign nation and call for the eventual withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraqi soil. The strategic framework agreement establishes the foundation of a long-term bilateral relationship between the United States and Iraq, while the status-of-forces agreement stipulates how U.S. forces are affected by Iraqi laws.

“All of those things, I think, by anybody’s standard would be evidence of significant success,” Cheney said. “And I think we’re very close to achieving what it is we set out to do five years ago when we first went into Iraq.”

On New Year’s Day, the Iraqi government assumed authority for the Baghdad compound – known generically as the Green Zone — that contained the U.S. military headquarters as well as the top U.S. diplomatic office in Iraq. Senior-level U.S. military and diplomatic offices in Iraq were transferred to the new U.S. Embassy in Iraq, which also is in Baghdad.

Cheney saluted the U.S.-coalition military campaign launched in March 2003 that toppled Saddam’s regime by early April of that year. The fugitive dictator was captured by U.S. forces in December 2003 and was tried and found guilty for his crimes by an Iraqi court. He was executed on Dec. 29, 2006.

This is Sgt. Stryker signing out.

Army Spc. Adam Wade watches a child slide in the playground of the newly refurbished Al Gil Al Jadeed Primary School in Mushada, northwest of Baghdad, Dec. 29, 2008.

U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Christina Bhatti

This is the type of story that you don’t often hear on the mainstream media. Why? Because it’s good news. It might be good news for only a small portion of Iraq, but it’s good news nevertheless. With that in mind, please note that Iraqi officials and U.S. soldiers celebrated the completion of renovations on a primary school with a ribbon-cutting ceremony December 29, 2008 in Mushada, which is northwest of Baghdad.

Almost $90,000 from the Iraqi Commander’s Emergency Response Program was used to fund the improvements to the existing structure of the Al Gil Al Jadeed Primary School, said Army 1st Lt. Jesse Ozbat, fire support officer assigned to the 25th Infantry Division’s Company C, 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team.

Usually around 600 students attend the school, but that amount has doubled recently. Students are crammed into classrooms, and overwhelmed teachers are doing their best to handle the increased student load, according to U.S officials.

Two other schools once were open in the area, but terrorists destroyed both schools years ago. The Al Gil Al Jadeed Primary School was spared from the brunt of the violence and needed only minor repairs compared to the other structures.

“Until the other two schools in the area are rebuilt and fixed, children will have to go to this one school,” Ozbat, a Prince George, Va., native said.

Though repairs are under way on the other schools, Ali Janabi, Mushada City Council member, said he has bigger plans for the future of the Al Gil Al Jadeed Primary School.

“I would like to see this school grow,” he said. “One day, I would like to see this place large enough to be considered a secondary school.”

Janabi said he and the other city council members take pride in this school because “reading and writing are the foundations of a strong future.”

“This school is the beginnings of strong foundations for many students,” he said.

There you have it – a little progress in Iraq. Here’s the thing, though. A little progress goes a long way. In other good news at Camp Liberty in Iraq …

Soldiers of 4th Infantry Division and Multi-National Division – Baghdad gathered together inside the Stadium in front of division headquarters on Camp Liberty to celebrate the arrival of the new year, Dec. 31.

Being away from home doesn’t mean that Soldiers need to also be away from holiday celebration, and with the help of the Quarterback Club and the 4th Infantry Division Band, they didn’t miss a beat.

The “Across The Nation” New Year’s celebration helped many Ironhorse Soldiers feel like they were back at home by bringing a Vegas-like casino setting, a Texas house party setting and a New York 80’s dance party theme to them.

“It’s a New Year’s Eve party that we put together,” said Maj. Michael McGregor, a Roaring Springs, Pa., native, who serves as deputy director of the division human resources section, 4th Inf. Div., MND-B. “We have New York represented; we have Texas, which is kind of our home party; and then we have Las Vegas, which represents the western part of the United States.

“We kind of tried to appeal to all the people that might be coming. For guys that like to stay at home and watch TV, we have Texas. We have New York for guys that like big crowds, who like to be out there partying and having a good time. And then we have Las Vegas, with game tables where you can kind of chill out and do a little gambling.”

Dance-offs, gambling and loud cheering were signs of Soldiers taking a break to enjoy a night to kick up their heels and have a good time.

“We just want to boost the morale. This is our second New Year’s here, and so we wanted to boost the morale of everybody in headquarters and have them come to have a good time,” said McGregor.

Morale boosting was the name of the game on this night and the Soldiers who attended enjoyed every bit of it.

“I’m here to have a good time with the staff,” said Staff Sgt. Keslet Cineas, a Miami native, who serves on the commanding general’s personal security detail, Division Special Troops Battalion, 4th Inf. Div. “It’s just to have great time with everybody.”

Awards from the Quarterback Cub for the entire past year’s events were handed out to sections that had the best decorations for their offices. The Staff Judge Advocate section came away with the prize football and even displayed a little dancing ability.

“This evening clearly brought a lot of great morale,” said Col. Peter Utely, chief of staff, 4th Inf. Div. and MND-B. “I tell you what, there were some awesome dancers out there tonight,” he said with a smile. “Thanks to all of you for what you do every day because every one of you makes a difference.”

After the countdown, the party poppers and the thrown confetti, the Soldiers streamed out, heading back to their rooms with smiles on their faces and maybe a glimmer of hope and comfort that next year they will be with their families, remembering where they were on this brand new day of another brand new year.

This is Sgt Stryker signing out and thanking the troops for all that they do.

Soldiers from the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, and civilians attend a New Years church service at the Steel Falcon Memorial Chapel, Dec. 31, 2008, to practice their faith and celebrate the new year, minutes before the beginning of 2009 at Forward Operating Base Falcon in southern Baghdad’s Rashid District. The 1st “Raider” Brigade Soldiers attended many New Year’s events at FOB Falcon to celebrate the holiday.

Photo By: Staff Sgt. Brent Williams – 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division Public Affairs

2009 Iraq and Afghanistan Update

Sgt. Stryker here. I hope you had a great, safe holiday – whether you’re in the military or have a loved one in the military, the holidays can sometimes be a rough time. With that in mind, here’s an update on the happenings in Iraq and Afghanistan as the new year, 2009, rolls in.

On Tuesday, December 30, 2008, coalition forces killed 11 terrorists after coming under fire during an operation in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province, according to U.S. military officials. The operation in Sorubi district, northeast of the city of Kabul, targeted a man wanted for trafficking weapons and fighters into and throughout the Uzbin and Tagab valleys in Kabol and Kapisa provinces.

The suspect is believed to be a commander in Hizb-iIslami Gulbuddin organization, or HIG, which is known to coordinate and direct terrorist attacks in the region. According to the U.S. Institute of Peace, HIG was one of the major guerilla groups operating in the war against the Soviets in the 1970s and 1980s and has long-standing ties with al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden.

As coalition forces approached yesterday, multiple armed militants came out of the building and rushed to the nearby mountainside in an apparent attempt to evade the force and to occupy the higher terrain. Believing the targeted HIG commander was with the group, coalition forces pursued the militants and were engaged with small-arms fire. The forces returned fire and killed two of the militants. Still receiving fire, the troops engaged the militants with close-air precision munitions and killed the remaining nine.

After the operation, an allegation of civilian casualties was brought to the attention of coalition forces. An initial review of the operational reports indicate only enemy forces were engaged during the operation, officials said.

Meanwhile, in Iraq, the Sons of Iraq continue to step up to the plate and hit homers. The “Sons of Iraq” civilian security group led coalition troops to their biggest operations recently – leading to the disarming of a bomb at a security checkpoint and the finding of one of the largest weapons caches to date, military officials reported.

Coalition forces responded to a Sons of Iraq checkpoint to disarm a roadside bomb December 29, 2008, in Baghdad’s Rashid district. An explosive ordnance disposal unit disarmed the bomb.

Tips from Sons of Iraq members in the Tikrit area also led soldiers to several large weapons caches on December 29, 2008 – one of which is the largest discovered since 25th Infantry Division units began arriving in Salahuddin province in November, officials said

In a cache southwest of Samarra, troops found 153 artillery rounds, 130 mortar rounds, 81 rocket rounds, 21 rocket mortars and 36 empty rounds of various munitions that could be used to make homemade bombs.

In another large weapons cache southwest of Samarra, troops found more than 250 munitions, including mortar rounds, high-explosive rounds and propellant charges.

All of the weapons were safely destroyed by explosive ordnance disposal personnel.

Also on Dec. 29, coalition and Iraqi soldiers confiscated weapons in the Saydiyah and Jihad communities that included six AK-47 assault rifles, three 60 mm mortar rounds and a rocket.

In other Iraq news, The United States formally transferred the Republican Palace back to the Iraqi government on January 1, 2009, a concrete symbol of the continuing improvement in the country. The transfer came about as the status of forces agreement between the United States and Iraq took effect.

The agreement replaces the United Nations mandate under which the coalition went into Iraq and has conducted operations there since. Under the agreement, Iraqi forces are now in the lead with U.S. forces in a supporting role or in overwatch.

Officials said that American troops are still on duty at some of the checkpoints in Green Zone, but they are there to train their Iraqi counterparts rather than with operational control.

“When you come up to a checkpoint, the Iraqis will check your identification. They will make the decision if you come in or go out, ” said Army Maj. Gen. Dave Perkins, U.S. spokesman in Iraq. As a colonel, Perkins led the 2nd Brigade of the 3rd Infantry Division that conducted the Thunder Run in April 2003 that first entered Baghdad.

“We will continue to be there to provide some technical capacity, to provide some mentoring, but you will see less and less American forces and more and more Iraqi forces – and they will have the majority of the responsibility for making those key decisions which determine the security of the capital,” Perkins said.

As the new year rolls in, you can rest assured that the U.S. military around the world are working to make the world a better place. You can also count on me, Sgt. Stryker, keeping you up to date and in the know.