BAGHDAD — Iraqi Security Forces are learning more than just fighting skills from their Coalition forces partners. Soldiers of the 1st Calvary Division’s Company C, Division Special Troops Battalion, are passing on their technical expertise of fiber optics cable technology to Iraqi Army leaders.
 
An Iraqi Army officer and a senior noncommissioned officer spent three days learning to install, service and maintain fiber optic cables for use in military communications systems. The hands-on training will, in turn, allow the Iraqi Soldiers to pass along the knowledge of fiber optics technology to their Soldiers.

“From what I’ve seen, they did a good job teaching, and the [Iraqi Soldiers] did a good job learning,” he said.

By Sgt. Brandon LeFlore, Multi-National Division - South

BASRAH — British forces handed over a former Coalition headquarters to Iraqi officials during a ceremony at the Basrah International Airport Hotel here, June 15. The handover of the hotel is part of the ongoing withdrawal of British forces from Iraq in accordance with the United Kingdom’s security agreement with the Iraqi government.

“Military and civilian personnel, both Iraqi and Coalition, have worked within the hotel to achieve the conditions that have allowed us to celebrate many days just like this – the return of functions and facilities to the Basrawis,” said Group Captain Richard Hill, deputy commander of British forces in Iraq.

The British have been careful in maintaining the historical significance of the hotel and over the past six years invested millions of dollars worth of work into making the building habitable and more aesthetically appealing.

“When Coalition forces arrived here in 2003, the building was an unfinished shell with nothing but bare concrete walls and pillars,” said Lt. Col. Sean Tulley, joint force logistics officer, UK Forces in Basrah. “The improvement of the hotel over the last six years is extremely recognizable.”

According to Hill, most of the work inside the hotel has been done by British Army Royal Engineers. Up to this point, their Soldiers have been preparing the building for its handover.

“Recognizing the importance of the Hotel to the airport, and in turn to Basrah itself, we have been careful over the past six years to steadily invest in a series of improvements to the infrastructure,” said Hill.

As the protective walls and other indicators of its previous existence as a military headquarters have been removed, it has revealed that Basrah once again has a building in which a high quality hotel can be created, added Hill.

This handover would not have been possible without the improved level of safety and security provided by the Iraqi Security Forces in Basrah, said Tulley. “It is the very success of these joint efforts that has created the environment enabling UK forces to leave Iraq.”

By 1st Lt. Kewanda Tate
225th Engineer Brigade

BAGHDAD

— In accordance with the U.S.-Iraq Security Agreement, U.S. engineers are nearly complete with the construction of a Joint Operations Center (JOC) here that will serve as a centralized workspace for both Iraqi and Coalition forces. When Soldiers from Company A, 46th Engineer Combat Battalion (Heavy), 225th Engineer Brigade complete their work, the center will serve as the headquarters for the 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment and the 11th Iraqi Army.

“In order to be more hands-on, we must share everything including workspace,” stated Maj. Kevin Wallace, battalion executive officer. “Our workspace will mirror their workspace, even down to how many desks are in each office.”

Since the Security Agreement calls for the closing of smaller Combat Outposts and Joint Security Stations throughout Baghdad, engineers have been diligently working to create work and living spaces outside the city.

Constructed in an abandoned warehouse hangar, the 4,300 square foot JOC will provide ample workspace for both staff sections that currently exist in two small offices. It will have 10 secured offices, a tiered conference room with computer workstations, and a combined working area for battle tracking.

“Every day the Iraqi general comes over asking if we need any help,” said Staff Sgt. Gary Butler, 46th ECB (H), the construction project non-commissioned officer in charge. “He even let us borrow his pressure washer and a few of his Soldiers to help clear the surface of debris and dirt before we began construction.”

Once completed, the facility will increase operational capabilities and integration with our Iraqi Army partners. Joint facilities such as these are critical as the Iraqi Security Forces take the lead in securing peace and stability in Baghdad. The construction project is scheduled for completion, June 19.

BAGHDAD — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Gulf Region Division here helped return a bronze tablet to the Government of Iraq earlier this month. The 27-year-old tablet, built in the era of Saddam Hussein and dedicated to an Unknown Soldier, was turned over to the Iraqi High Tribunal for storage in its secure document storage facility in the International Zone.

The turn-over was conducted in partnership with the Cultural Affairs Department of the U.S. Embassy, Baghdad.

The tablet resided outside of the Gulf Region Central District’s Residence Office on Freedom Compound in the IZ for a number of years. But the history of the tablet is a bit of a mystery.

“We don’t know how it got here, or who put it here,” said Capt. Chad Wendolek, the officer in charge of the GRC IZ residence office.

Wendolek said both he and his colleagues wanted to find a home for the tablet before they move to the Victory Base Complex this summer.

“We know that this tablet is significant to the Iraqi people and we wanted to be sure we put it in the right hands,” Wendolek said.

Judge Arif Abdul-Razzaq al Shahin, president of the Iraqi High Tribunal, said he was deeply appreciative of the Corps’ decision to return the artifact.

“We are happy to have the tablet,” said Shahin. “We want to be sure that we preserve our history.”

The inscription on the tablet reads, “The Unknown Soldier Monument has been constructed in the era of President Saddam Hussein, secretary general of the National Leadership of the Baath Arab Socialist Party, the President of the Republic Amanat of Capital Baghdad, 1402 Islamic Calendar, 1982 AD.”

“We will put this tablet on display so that other people can see it,” said Shahin. “The tablet will be a monument for many generations to come.”

The tablet will be on display at the Museum of the Iraqi Genocide, which is scheduled to open in July.

(U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Release)

By Staff Sgt. Jason Douglas
1st Cavalry Division

KIRKUK

— Iraqi Police (IP) and Coalition forces brought a little relief to the Iraqi village of Qutan here, June 6. IP from the Mari Police sub-station in the Dibbis District, assisted by 1st Cavalry Division Soldiers, delivered 150 bags of perishable food consisting of beans, rice, cooking oil, and tomatoes. According to 1st Lt. Winfield Swanton, 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, the food is purchased from local vendors to benefit merchants as well.

A village leader gathered the residents near a school, and while Swanton’s Soldiers handled security, the IP delivered the food.

Staff Sgt. Dean Hills, 1/8, said the process for choosing which villages receive the assistance begins with coordination with the IP.

“We get with the IP or Iraqi Army (IA) and find the poorest villages that need the aid,” Hills said. “This village’s crops aren’t doing well due to the drought and because the large swine population, which are eating the crops.” Hill said the swine population is so large because they aren’t a part of the diet here.

According to U.S. Air Force weather data, Kirkuk province is suffering from a four year drought which has had an adverse impact on farming, one of the main sources of revenue here.

While the IP delivered the food, 1/8 Soldiers passed out several soccer balls to a group of eager children gathered at the school.

“Aside from the food delivery, the soccer balls let them see that we are here to help,” Swanton said.

Swanton said this was the second food drop his platoon has performed.

“The first food delivery we did was in Qushquaya,” Swanton said. “We plan on doing these types of missions with the IP or IA once a week.”

BAGHDAD — Iraqi Soldiers of the 3rd Battalion, 54th Army Brigade, 6th Infantry Division, held a ceremony at Joint Security Station Kahdra on June 10 to celebrate the transfer of authority from Coalition forces.

Teamwork and selfless-service by the troops at JSS Khadra have greatly improved the security here in Baghdad and made it possible for the ISF to meet the terms of the Iraq Security Agreement and take full control of the security in Khadra.

By Staff Sgt. Jason Douglas
1st Cavalry DivisionKIRKUK — As part of a regular checkup, to get a specific diagnosis or to verify progress being made, a physician might request laboratory tests or order X-rays to detect disease, or even an ultrasound to determine the sex of a baby for new parents. But none of that can happen without functioning equipment or medical staff trained to troubleshoot problems.

Medical personnel from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division recently traveled to the Azadi Hospital here to assess the X-ray machines, ultrasound equipment and laboratory, and talk with hospital staff about their training needs.

According to Staff Sgt. Han Parker, the 2nd BCT medical sergeant, his focus was to use 2BCT medical assets to develop hospital procedures and provide any necessary training on medical equipment.

Parker also stated the Azadi Hospital is one of the best in Kirkuk province with many of the doctors also working as instructors at a nearby medical school.

“We came to the hospital to check the functionality of the laboratory and X-ray equipment,” said Parker. “We want to get an accurate assessment of what equipment repairs are needed and what we can do to help the staff use the tools they have.”

The Azadi Hospital director, Dr. Niaz Ameen, led the members of the hospital assessment team on a tour, first of the X-ray facilities. Sgt. Jennifer Winschel, an X-ray specialist with the 15th Brigade Support Battalion, 2BCT, got a chance to evaluate the Iraqi technicians on their use of an ultrasound machine.

Winschel spent time with her Iraqi counterparts demonstrating the techniques she uses with the equipment.

“I’ll do some research on the equipment, coordinate with some of our medical personnel and offer a few tips I think may create efficiencies in how they’re using their equipment,” Winschel explained.

While they have three X-ray machines, two are currently in need of maintenance, Parker said.

“Some of the equipment the hospital has is somewhat new, and most of the older equipment is still useful. We may be able to establish a relationship between the hospital and manufacturers to refurbish or replace parts at no cost to the hospital,” Parker explained.

The next stop was the laboratory department where Spc. Patrick Shannon, a laboratory specialist with 15th BSB, inspected equipment and helped to determine what training requirements the technicians may have.

“I was able to see what equipment was on site and find out what repairs were needed,” Shannon said. “Certain repairs I can do.”

Niaz’s immediate concern in the lab was the diabetes diagnostic machine, the only machine of its kind in the province to test for the disease, which has been inoperable for some time.

According to Parker, diabetes is a big concern in the region. Without the diabetes tester, patients have to travel to Erbil, some 54 miles north of Kirkuk, to get tested.

“The diabetes tester is probably…something we can fix,” Shannon said.

After the team finished its assessment, Lt. Col. Chris Whittaker, commander of the 15th BSB, extended his help, offered to provide training, and even invited Niaz and his staff to travel to FOB Warrior’s hospital.

“I would like to invite the hospital personnel to come to FOB Warrior’s clinic and build on our friendship,” Whittaker said. “This is an opportunity for your staff to come and see how we conduct business.”

After the team finished reviewing the X-ray’s and laboratory, and talking with medical personnel at the hospital, the team made plans for future engagements.

“We plan on taking what we have learned here, going back and developing classes and researching the maintenance needs of the hospitals equipment,” said Parker. “We will come back in a couple of weeks to offer help. This is just the beginning of the partnership.”