Tuesday, August 31, 2004
Dry Reading, and a bit old
The First Infantry Division is the unit I am currently serving with in Iraq. Here is some of their old news.
June 6, 2004
Forward Operating Base Danger, Tikrit, Iraq. The 1st Infantry Division and Task Force Danger continue to make a big difference in Iraq. Recent progress in the four provinces of North-Central Iraq is allowing the division to shift more of its efforts away from combat operations and place a significant amount of energy into stability and civil-military operations. The soldiers of Task Force Danger are working to improve infrastructure, equip and train competent Iraqi Security Forces, empower local governments, and set the conditions for Iraqi self-sufficiency. Our intent is to inform the public of the great work our service men and women are doing in Iraq. This bi-weekly press release is an effort to inform and garner support for our soldiers and their families.
The best news of the week.
Iraqis who had their land seized by Saddam Hussein now have a legal way to get it back or file a claim. In addition to an office in Kirkuk, the Iraqi Property Claims Commission (IPCC) is now opened for business in Tikrit in an old Ministry of Justice building.
In a ceremony on 28 May, Col. Randy Dragon, 2nd Brigade Combat Team (BCT) Commander, provided the keynote address and, along with Hamed Al Shuktee, the Deputy Governor of the Salah Ad Din Province, cut the ribbon draped across the office doors, symbolizing its official opening. Several Iraqi judges and high-level government officials were present to witness the ribbon cutting ceremony, including Mr. Najim Abd al-Wahid, the Chief Judge of Salah Ad Din; Mr. Ma'ath Ahmed Hamid, the President of the Salah Ad Din Lawyer’s Bar Association; and Sheik Jasim Naeif Abd Al Rahman, Sheik of the Al-Jibouri Tribe. The Task Force Danger Ministry of Justice was represented by Lt. Col. Stu Risch, Task Force Danger Staff Judge Advocate, and CPT Dan Stigall, the Legal Liaison to the Tikrit IPCC and the driving force behind its establishment and successful operation.
The Tikrit IPCC office has already taken in well over 100 claims from Iraqi citizens in the Tikrit area who lost land or were displaced due to Ba’athist policies. The Ministry of Justice expects thousands of claims in the Salah Ad Din province alone. The next phase in the development of the IPCC will be the establishment of the Salah Ad Din Office of the Regional Commissioner, the entity that will serve as the arbiter and adjudicator for the claims processed by the Tikrit IPCC Office. Initial discussions with the Chief Judge established that Iraqi courts will consider any appeals from the IPCC’s decisions. They will also consider any claims from any Iraqis, of whatever ethnicity, who were displaced but whose claims do not fall under the IPCC’s jurisdiction. The Ministry of Justice will also continued to pay claims to those Iraqi citizens whose property or possessions have been inadvertently damaged or destroyed as the result of coalition operations. To date, almost $300,000 has been paid out, typically in amounts equal to or less than $2,500 per family or individual.
Making a difference in the safety and security of Iraq.
Task Force Danger continues to prepare for the 30 June, 2004 transfer of sovereignty to the Iraqi Interim Government. Over the past two weeks, we have conducted several important events which will ultimately lead to Iraqi self-sufficiency.
The Iraqi Civil Defense Corps (ICDC) Training Center on Forward Operating Base (FOB) Danger recently opened. Two hundred and fifty-three future ICDC Non-Commissioned Officers enrolled in the inaugural two-week Primary Leadership Development Course (PLDC) and will graduate on June 10. The Training Center will also begin the first three-week basic training class designed for 400 students later this month. The driving force behind both the PLDC and basic training courses are US Army TRADOC drill instructors working side by side with Iraqi drill instructors in training. The mentorship of the Iraqi drill instructors will set the stage for Iraqi ownership of the training facility in the months to come.
The division recently hosted a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) conference at Lake Dokan in Northern Iraq. The purpose of the conference was to encourage NGOs to return to North-Central Iraq to assist in reconstruction. The Iraqi governors from our four provinces briefed the details and needs of respective provinces and 1st Infantry Division brigade commanders described changes in threat conditions which would allow NGOs to return to work. The event was attended by 36 different organizations from Iraq, Norway, and Jordon. NGO competencies included community development, humanitarian aide, mine clearing, water and sanitation, rebuilding communities, and medical aide.
On Memorial Day, the division staff hosted the 5km Danger Dash at FOB Danger. It was a great event to kick off a very important day for the soldiers and families of Task Force Danger. The Division Combat Team conducted Memorial Day ceremonies at every forward operating base. Ceremonies consisted of a formation of troops, presentation of the colors, the playing of the National Anthem, remarks by the senior commander present, reading of the Commanding General’s Memorial Day message, a tribute to the 41 fallen comrades from Task Force Danger, and the singing of the division and Army songs. Memorial Days in the future will never be quite the same.
Operations throughout our area of operations continue in an effort to defeat Anti-Iraqi Forces (AIF) and break the cycle of violence against innocent Iraqi citizens.
Over the past two weeks, the “Quarterhorse� troopers of 1st Squadron, 4th U.S. Cavalry have continued to concentrate efforts in Ad Duluyiah; simultaneously defeating the enemy and working to dispose of over 18,000 rounds of assorted artillery munitions recently discovered in their area of operations. The cavalry squadron is fully committed over a vast area doing what cavalrymen do best.
The soldiers of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team (Dagger) continue to conduct deliberate combat patrols in order to provide security along division and corps lines of communication, conduct precise combat operations to kill or capture the enemy, and conduct stability operations to improve infrastructure and put Iraqi’s back to work. Task Force 1-18 completed an operation to register over 2,000 taxicabs in the Tikrit area to deter drivers from aiding the enemy in the conduct of attacks. The rest of the brigade will follow suit. The brigade also continues daily escorts of fuel convoys to support corps logistics and humanitarian efforts throughout Northern Iraq.
In the past two weeks, the 3rd Brigade Combat Team (Duke) focused on Operation Spring Clean-up. The main effort has been on the “Blue Babe Highway�, a stretch of road formally known as “RPG Alley�. Task Force 82 now has a firm grip on Blue Babe Highway and has all but eliminated IED cells and enemy. The brigade has shifted its main effort from kinetic operations to stability and support operations in order to facilitate a successful transition to Iraqi control by 30 June.
The 30th Brigade Combat Team (Old Hickory) and their attached Army and Air Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams have been working hard to clear ammunition caches and minefields left over from Saddam's regime from their area of operations. In the last three months, the brigade has discovered 135 such sites, 119 of which have been cleared of over 8,000 munitions of various types. This effort has dramatically reduced the danger to both Coalition Forces and Iraqi civilians from IEDs and unexploded ordnance and will lessen the negative impact that this material has on the environment.
Last week, the 2nd Brigade (Warrior) of the 25th Infantry Division conducted Operation Slim Shady in the important city of Kirkuk. This operation, aimed at crippling Muqtada Al Sadr’s Militia and seizing weapons stored in a local mosque, resulted in the capture of six targeted individuals including five enemy cell leaders. One of those captured was Sa’ad Abu Aws, the second in command of Maqtada Al Sadr’s Militia in Kirkuk. The response from the local populous was very favorable and the operation resulted in a drop in enemy activity in and around the city of Kirkuk.
Last week, the 4th Brigade (Dragon) supported Duke by picking up a sheikh and his son who had been detained for almost a year in Abu Ghraib, and transporting them back to their home in the Diyala province. 4th Brigade also assisted the combat engineers by videotaping a recon of the oil pipelines in North-Central Iraq to facilitate the identification of breaks in the line and development of a plan to repair them. The brigade continues its support to the division by transporting commanders and soldiers across our large battle space as well as by providing reconnaissance and security to the division. The brigade is maintaining a very high helicopter readiness rate.
The Division Artillery (Drumfire) has had an extremely productive two weeks. 1-33 Field Artillery hauled away more than 1.5 million pounds of Captured Enemy Ammunition (CEA) for destruction in Dagger’s area of operations. With the help of Team 5, 744 EOD Company from Fort Riley, Kansas, a total of 21,055 unexploded bomblets were also destroyed. In Duke’s area of operations, 1-33 Field Artillery has transported 2,252,000 lbs of CEA to destruction sites. DIVARTY’s staggering total for all CEA destroyed or transported currently stands at more than 7 million pounds. In addition, the DIVARTY has maintained a near perfect readiness rate of the division’s radars scattered throughout the area of operations.
Task Force Danger’s engineers of the 264th Engineer Group (Badgers) continue to patrol our main supply routes. Since the last report, Task Force Trailblazer cleared 17,823 kilometers of main supply routes of IEDs and mines. The 216th Engineer Battalion continues to make major improvements to quality of life and force protection at our 28 forward operating bases. The division’s own Engineer Brigade (Devastator) continues the Accelerated Iraqi Reconstruction Program, perhaps our most important long term contribution to the welfare of the Iraqi people. The brigade is writing statements of work, soliciting bids, and contracting major infrastructure projects to the tune of $62 million. These efforts directly contribute to making this country self-sufficient and putting people back to work. The brigade is also supervising the repair of the Tikrit Highway Bridge, a major infrastructure effort.
Continuing their outstanding support of the division are the hard working soldiers of the DISCOM (Durable) and the 167th Corps Support Group (Granite). In the past two weeks, these great soldiers have delivered over 250,000 gallons of fuel and 200,000 gallons of water in support of current operations. In addition, Durable and Granite have issued 1,770 rifles, 72 machine guns, and 260,000 rounds of ammunition to the Iraqi Security Force. In addition, DISCOM also received 50 UAZ jeeps for distribution to the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps.
Taking the elements of violence off the streets.
In the last two weeks, operations in the Task Force Danger have resulted in an estimated seventeen enemy killed, an estimated five enemy wounded, and an additional 118 Anti-Iraqi Forces detained. Forty-eight major enemy weapons and ammunition caches were also discovered. Significant ammunition seized from these caches included more than 290 rockets; 6,200 mortar, artillery and tank rounds; over 250 anti-aircraft rounds; 390 small arms weapons and rocket propelled grenades; seventeen Surface to Air Missiles; 310 grenades; and more than 2,000 rounds of small arms ammunition. Seventy-five improvised explosive devises were discovered prior to detonation, preventing the needless loss of life.
Strengthening the Infrastructure in Iraq
Task Force Danger, with the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) and the Iraqi people, continue to strengthen the civil infrastructure in North-Central Iraq. Over the past two weeks, several division level “Ministries� have shown great progress towards that goal.
The Task Force Danger Ministry of Justice recently hosted a luncheon and legal discussion group for local lawyers and judges. Several lawyers, including Chief Judge Abd al-Wahid; Mr. Abdel Hamid Salman, Senior Judge of the Salah Ad Din Criminal Court; Mr. Ahmed Hamid, of the local Bar Association; and numerous other Iraqi attorneys shared a meal and discussed the Transitional Administrative Law (TAL) and Iraqi sovereignty after 30 June. U.S. Army Judge Advocates and the 1st Infantry Division Chief of Staff answered numerous questions regarding federalism and fundamental rights, while the local judges and attorneys voiced their concerns and shared their opinions on the matter.
Additionally, the Joint Services Law Enforcement Teams continue their mission of investigating and prosecuting crimes against coalition forces before the Central Criminal Court of Iraq (CCCI). Last week, an Iraqi caught while in possession of explosive materials was sentenced by the Iraqi CCCI to seven years confinement, removing him as a continued threat to coalition forces and innocent Iraqis. Successful trials of this nature serve to deter criminals with significant prison sentences and by expressing moral condemnation of the action.
The Task Force Danger Public Works Team Chief, MAJ John Lawlor conducted a workshop recently with local Iraqi engineers representing the Salah Ad Din Province. The workshop was intended to assist local Iraqi engineers in the development of organized public works departments as well as project management offices. This program will support the Coalition Provisional Authority Program Management Office efforts to rebuild Iraq. The Iraqi engineers will become integral in the development and execution of the proposed program. Workshops such as this ensure that the engineers develop an organized approach that is consistent across the entire province.
The overall goal is to assist the communities within Task Force Danger’s area of operations to improve the essential services that are vital to its residents. Drinking water, power, and medical facilities are common areas where communities need help. The workshop was a great opportunity for the local engineers and the Division’s engineers to exchange ideas on how to improve the quality of life for Iraqi’s.
The Task Force Danger Ministry of Communication is currently taking steps to improve communications for soldiers attending training at the new North-Central Iraqi Civil Defense Corps Training Center. Local Iraqis are installing phone lines on the training facility for morale use by ICDC students and cadre. They are also working on getting a DirecWay Internet package of 20 computers for their use.
The Task Force Danger Ministry of Education began work on the installation of the third computer-learning center at the main universities in our area of operations. This facility, to be located at the University of Kirkuk, is composed of 15 computers with high speed Internet, and will be made available to faculty and students of the university. These computers, along with accompanying desks and chairs cost approximately $27,000 for each site. This will allow the faculty and students continuous access to the Internet.
The Task Force Danger Ministry of Commerce recently finished installation of an Internet package at the Tikrit Employment Center. This will allow the employment center to transfer data to the Baghdad office of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs. Over 4,000 people have registered in Salah Ad Din at the Tikrit office and the office has been able to find employment for 10 percent in one month. Refurbishment on the new site of the Iraqi American Chamber of Commerce (IACC) and Tikrit Business Center is now complete. Employee selection is complete for the IACC, and has begun for the Tikrit Business Center. The IACC will create a network of business throughout the area and provide consumers a venue to link up with contractors. The Tikrit Business Center will train businessmen on basic business skills and link small businessmen with capital and tenders.
Task Force Danger recently established an Iraqi Advisory Council that will advise and assist the division senior leaders and staff. The Iraqi Advisory Council, comprised of influential Iraqi’s from the North-Central Iraq and Task Force Danger leadership, met for the first time on 3 June to discuss and recommend solutions to problems preventing cohesion throughout the region. The group divided into four subcommittees to address specific issues. The economic subcommittee discussed ways to improve the overall economy of the region by increasing employment opportunities. The cultural subcommittee deliberated over Iraqi’s expectations following the 30 June transfer of sovereignty. The political subcommittee addressed concerns about the January 2005 elections and the security subcommittee attended to the issue of violence, ways to decrease it, and the rehiring of former Iraqi military. After subcommittee outbriefs, the conference wrapped up with a tour of the new North-Central Region Iraqi Civil Defense Corps Training Facility. This is a great example of Task Force Danger and Iraqi leaders working together to help North-Central Iraq successfully transition to sovereignty and focus efforts toward reconstruction and economic development.
Iraqi police officers in the province of Salah Ad Din received 24 new police cars courtesy of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team in a ceremony on 20 May. The cars were designated for police departments in several cities, including Tikrit, Balad, and Samarra, all within the Salah Ad Din province. Col Randy Dragon presented the cars to the Chief of Police for the Salah Ad Din Province, Brig. Gen. Mazher Taha Ahmad. Task Force Danger continues to address the challenges of equipping the Iraqi Police Service and these cars, bought from a local contractor, are a step in the right direction.
One hundred forty-seven Iraqi police officers graduated from the new Tikrit Police Academy in a ceremony 27 May. During the three-week course, the police officers were taught democratic police procedures, human rights, and policies of arresting and detaining criminals. This class is the largest graduating class of the academy and was solely taught by Iraqi civilian police. In his remarks to the graduating class, Colonel Gene Kamena congratulated the graduates and said the Iraqi police are making a huge difference. The Iraqi police are a professional force, and a great symbol of the future of Iraq.
A Ground Breaking Ceremony was held near Ash Sharqat on 26 May to mark the beginning of construction for a new elementary school building near Kassem Village.
LTC Kyle McClelland, TF 1-7 Commander, spoke to the students, parents and officials who attended the ceremony. He emphasized the importance of the youth and the role a quality education will play in Iraq’s future. Sharqat Mayor, the Honorable Muhsin Khalaf, echoed LTC McClelland’s words and extended his appreciation to TF 1-7 for their partnership with the community in this important endeavor. The ceremony was followed by a small luncheon provided by the contractor for the new school. During the luncheon, TF 1-7 Soldiers distributed school supplies collected from friends and relatives at home to the excited and smiling students of Othman School. The project is expected to be complete by July 1.
Conclusion
Task Force Danger continues to simultaneously conduct combat and stability operations that are leading to a secure environment and improved infrastructure. Our soldiers are making a huge difference in Iraq. Our family members are behind us 100 percent. The price has been high, but the soldiers of the 1st Infantry Division and Task Force Danger are resolute and steadfast. We will accomplish the mission. We have made great strides in partnership with the courageous people of Iraq towards their future of civil and military self-reliance. The American people should be very proud and confident in the outcome of the Operation Iraqi Freedom mission. Duty First!
June 6, 2004
Forward Operating Base Danger, Tikrit, Iraq. The 1st Infantry Division and Task Force Danger continue to make a big difference in Iraq. Recent progress in the four provinces of North-Central Iraq is allowing the division to shift more of its efforts away from combat operations and place a significant amount of energy into stability and civil-military operations. The soldiers of Task Force Danger are working to improve infrastructure, equip and train competent Iraqi Security Forces, empower local governments, and set the conditions for Iraqi self-sufficiency. Our intent is to inform the public of the great work our service men and women are doing in Iraq. This bi-weekly press release is an effort to inform and garner support for our soldiers and their families.
The best news of the week.
Iraqis who had their land seized by Saddam Hussein now have a legal way to get it back or file a claim. In addition to an office in Kirkuk, the Iraqi Property Claims Commission (IPCC) is now opened for business in Tikrit in an old Ministry of Justice building.
In a ceremony on 28 May, Col. Randy Dragon, 2nd Brigade Combat Team (BCT) Commander, provided the keynote address and, along with Hamed Al Shuktee, the Deputy Governor of the Salah Ad Din Province, cut the ribbon draped across the office doors, symbolizing its official opening. Several Iraqi judges and high-level government officials were present to witness the ribbon cutting ceremony, including Mr. Najim Abd al-Wahid, the Chief Judge of Salah Ad Din; Mr. Ma'ath Ahmed Hamid, the President of the Salah Ad Din Lawyer’s Bar Association; and Sheik Jasim Naeif Abd Al Rahman, Sheik of the Al-Jibouri Tribe. The Task Force Danger Ministry of Justice was represented by Lt. Col. Stu Risch, Task Force Danger Staff Judge Advocate, and CPT Dan Stigall, the Legal Liaison to the Tikrit IPCC and the driving force behind its establishment and successful operation.
The Tikrit IPCC office has already taken in well over 100 claims from Iraqi citizens in the Tikrit area who lost land or were displaced due to Ba’athist policies. The Ministry of Justice expects thousands of claims in the Salah Ad Din province alone. The next phase in the development of the IPCC will be the establishment of the Salah Ad Din Office of the Regional Commissioner, the entity that will serve as the arbiter and adjudicator for the claims processed by the Tikrit IPCC Office. Initial discussions with the Chief Judge established that Iraqi courts will consider any appeals from the IPCC’s decisions. They will also consider any claims from any Iraqis, of whatever ethnicity, who were displaced but whose claims do not fall under the IPCC’s jurisdiction. The Ministry of Justice will also continued to pay claims to those Iraqi citizens whose property or possessions have been inadvertently damaged or destroyed as the result of coalition operations. To date, almost $300,000 has been paid out, typically in amounts equal to or less than $2,500 per family or individual.
Making a difference in the safety and security of Iraq.
Task Force Danger continues to prepare for the 30 June, 2004 transfer of sovereignty to the Iraqi Interim Government. Over the past two weeks, we have conducted several important events which will ultimately lead to Iraqi self-sufficiency.
The Iraqi Civil Defense Corps (ICDC) Training Center on Forward Operating Base (FOB) Danger recently opened. Two hundred and fifty-three future ICDC Non-Commissioned Officers enrolled in the inaugural two-week Primary Leadership Development Course (PLDC) and will graduate on June 10. The Training Center will also begin the first three-week basic training class designed for 400 students later this month. The driving force behind both the PLDC and basic training courses are US Army TRADOC drill instructors working side by side with Iraqi drill instructors in training. The mentorship of the Iraqi drill instructors will set the stage for Iraqi ownership of the training facility in the months to come.
The division recently hosted a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) conference at Lake Dokan in Northern Iraq. The purpose of the conference was to encourage NGOs to return to North-Central Iraq to assist in reconstruction. The Iraqi governors from our four provinces briefed the details and needs of respective provinces and 1st Infantry Division brigade commanders described changes in threat conditions which would allow NGOs to return to work. The event was attended by 36 different organizations from Iraq, Norway, and Jordon. NGO competencies included community development, humanitarian aide, mine clearing, water and sanitation, rebuilding communities, and medical aide.
On Memorial Day, the division staff hosted the 5km Danger Dash at FOB Danger. It was a great event to kick off a very important day for the soldiers and families of Task Force Danger. The Division Combat Team conducted Memorial Day ceremonies at every forward operating base. Ceremonies consisted of a formation of troops, presentation of the colors, the playing of the National Anthem, remarks by the senior commander present, reading of the Commanding General’s Memorial Day message, a tribute to the 41 fallen comrades from Task Force Danger, and the singing of the division and Army songs. Memorial Days in the future will never be quite the same.
Operations throughout our area of operations continue in an effort to defeat Anti-Iraqi Forces (AIF) and break the cycle of violence against innocent Iraqi citizens.
Over the past two weeks, the “Quarterhorse� troopers of 1st Squadron, 4th U.S. Cavalry have continued to concentrate efforts in Ad Duluyiah; simultaneously defeating the enemy and working to dispose of over 18,000 rounds of assorted artillery munitions recently discovered in their area of operations. The cavalry squadron is fully committed over a vast area doing what cavalrymen do best.
The soldiers of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team (Dagger) continue to conduct deliberate combat patrols in order to provide security along division and corps lines of communication, conduct precise combat operations to kill or capture the enemy, and conduct stability operations to improve infrastructure and put Iraqi’s back to work. Task Force 1-18 completed an operation to register over 2,000 taxicabs in the Tikrit area to deter drivers from aiding the enemy in the conduct of attacks. The rest of the brigade will follow suit. The brigade also continues daily escorts of fuel convoys to support corps logistics and humanitarian efforts throughout Northern Iraq.
In the past two weeks, the 3rd Brigade Combat Team (Duke) focused on Operation Spring Clean-up. The main effort has been on the “Blue Babe Highway�, a stretch of road formally known as “RPG Alley�. Task Force 82 now has a firm grip on Blue Babe Highway and has all but eliminated IED cells and enemy. The brigade has shifted its main effort from kinetic operations to stability and support operations in order to facilitate a successful transition to Iraqi control by 30 June.
The 30th Brigade Combat Team (Old Hickory) and their attached Army and Air Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams have been working hard to clear ammunition caches and minefields left over from Saddam's regime from their area of operations. In the last three months, the brigade has discovered 135 such sites, 119 of which have been cleared of over 8,000 munitions of various types. This effort has dramatically reduced the danger to both Coalition Forces and Iraqi civilians from IEDs and unexploded ordnance and will lessen the negative impact that this material has on the environment.
Last week, the 2nd Brigade (Warrior) of the 25th Infantry Division conducted Operation Slim Shady in the important city of Kirkuk. This operation, aimed at crippling Muqtada Al Sadr’s Militia and seizing weapons stored in a local mosque, resulted in the capture of six targeted individuals including five enemy cell leaders. One of those captured was Sa’ad Abu Aws, the second in command of Maqtada Al Sadr’s Militia in Kirkuk. The response from the local populous was very favorable and the operation resulted in a drop in enemy activity in and around the city of Kirkuk.
Last week, the 4th Brigade (Dragon) supported Duke by picking up a sheikh and his son who had been detained for almost a year in Abu Ghraib, and transporting them back to their home in the Diyala province. 4th Brigade also assisted the combat engineers by videotaping a recon of the oil pipelines in North-Central Iraq to facilitate the identification of breaks in the line and development of a plan to repair them. The brigade continues its support to the division by transporting commanders and soldiers across our large battle space as well as by providing reconnaissance and security to the division. The brigade is maintaining a very high helicopter readiness rate.
The Division Artillery (Drumfire) has had an extremely productive two weeks. 1-33 Field Artillery hauled away more than 1.5 million pounds of Captured Enemy Ammunition (CEA) for destruction in Dagger’s area of operations. With the help of Team 5, 744 EOD Company from Fort Riley, Kansas, a total of 21,055 unexploded bomblets were also destroyed. In Duke’s area of operations, 1-33 Field Artillery has transported 2,252,000 lbs of CEA to destruction sites. DIVARTY’s staggering total for all CEA destroyed or transported currently stands at more than 7 million pounds. In addition, the DIVARTY has maintained a near perfect readiness rate of the division’s radars scattered throughout the area of operations.
Task Force Danger’s engineers of the 264th Engineer Group (Badgers) continue to patrol our main supply routes. Since the last report, Task Force Trailblazer cleared 17,823 kilometers of main supply routes of IEDs and mines. The 216th Engineer Battalion continues to make major improvements to quality of life and force protection at our 28 forward operating bases. The division’s own Engineer Brigade (Devastator) continues the Accelerated Iraqi Reconstruction Program, perhaps our most important long term contribution to the welfare of the Iraqi people. The brigade is writing statements of work, soliciting bids, and contracting major infrastructure projects to the tune of $62 million. These efforts directly contribute to making this country self-sufficient and putting people back to work. The brigade is also supervising the repair of the Tikrit Highway Bridge, a major infrastructure effort.
Continuing their outstanding support of the division are the hard working soldiers of the DISCOM (Durable) and the 167th Corps Support Group (Granite). In the past two weeks, these great soldiers have delivered over 250,000 gallons of fuel and 200,000 gallons of water in support of current operations. In addition, Durable and Granite have issued 1,770 rifles, 72 machine guns, and 260,000 rounds of ammunition to the Iraqi Security Force. In addition, DISCOM also received 50 UAZ jeeps for distribution to the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps.
Taking the elements of violence off the streets.
In the last two weeks, operations in the Task Force Danger have resulted in an estimated seventeen enemy killed, an estimated five enemy wounded, and an additional 118 Anti-Iraqi Forces detained. Forty-eight major enemy weapons and ammunition caches were also discovered. Significant ammunition seized from these caches included more than 290 rockets; 6,200 mortar, artillery and tank rounds; over 250 anti-aircraft rounds; 390 small arms weapons and rocket propelled grenades; seventeen Surface to Air Missiles; 310 grenades; and more than 2,000 rounds of small arms ammunition. Seventy-five improvised explosive devises were discovered prior to detonation, preventing the needless loss of life.
Strengthening the Infrastructure in Iraq
Task Force Danger, with the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) and the Iraqi people, continue to strengthen the civil infrastructure in North-Central Iraq. Over the past two weeks, several division level “Ministries� have shown great progress towards that goal.
The Task Force Danger Ministry of Justice recently hosted a luncheon and legal discussion group for local lawyers and judges. Several lawyers, including Chief Judge Abd al-Wahid; Mr. Abdel Hamid Salman, Senior Judge of the Salah Ad Din Criminal Court; Mr. Ahmed Hamid, of the local Bar Association; and numerous other Iraqi attorneys shared a meal and discussed the Transitional Administrative Law (TAL) and Iraqi sovereignty after 30 June. U.S. Army Judge Advocates and the 1st Infantry Division Chief of Staff answered numerous questions regarding federalism and fundamental rights, while the local judges and attorneys voiced their concerns and shared their opinions on the matter.
Additionally, the Joint Services Law Enforcement Teams continue their mission of investigating and prosecuting crimes against coalition forces before the Central Criminal Court of Iraq (CCCI). Last week, an Iraqi caught while in possession of explosive materials was sentenced by the Iraqi CCCI to seven years confinement, removing him as a continued threat to coalition forces and innocent Iraqis. Successful trials of this nature serve to deter criminals with significant prison sentences and by expressing moral condemnation of the action.
The Task Force Danger Public Works Team Chief, MAJ John Lawlor conducted a workshop recently with local Iraqi engineers representing the Salah Ad Din Province. The workshop was intended to assist local Iraqi engineers in the development of organized public works departments as well as project management offices. This program will support the Coalition Provisional Authority Program Management Office efforts to rebuild Iraq. The Iraqi engineers will become integral in the development and execution of the proposed program. Workshops such as this ensure that the engineers develop an organized approach that is consistent across the entire province.
The overall goal is to assist the communities within Task Force Danger’s area of operations to improve the essential services that are vital to its residents. Drinking water, power, and medical facilities are common areas where communities need help. The workshop was a great opportunity for the local engineers and the Division’s engineers to exchange ideas on how to improve the quality of life for Iraqi’s.
The Task Force Danger Ministry of Communication is currently taking steps to improve communications for soldiers attending training at the new North-Central Iraqi Civil Defense Corps Training Center. Local Iraqis are installing phone lines on the training facility for morale use by ICDC students and cadre. They are also working on getting a DirecWay Internet package of 20 computers for their use.
The Task Force Danger Ministry of Education began work on the installation of the third computer-learning center at the main universities in our area of operations. This facility, to be located at the University of Kirkuk, is composed of 15 computers with high speed Internet, and will be made available to faculty and students of the university. These computers, along with accompanying desks and chairs cost approximately $27,000 for each site. This will allow the faculty and students continuous access to the Internet.
The Task Force Danger Ministry of Commerce recently finished installation of an Internet package at the Tikrit Employment Center. This will allow the employment center to transfer data to the Baghdad office of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs. Over 4,000 people have registered in Salah Ad Din at the Tikrit office and the office has been able to find employment for 10 percent in one month. Refurbishment on the new site of the Iraqi American Chamber of Commerce (IACC) and Tikrit Business Center is now complete. Employee selection is complete for the IACC, and has begun for the Tikrit Business Center. The IACC will create a network of business throughout the area and provide consumers a venue to link up with contractors. The Tikrit Business Center will train businessmen on basic business skills and link small businessmen with capital and tenders.
Task Force Danger recently established an Iraqi Advisory Council that will advise and assist the division senior leaders and staff. The Iraqi Advisory Council, comprised of influential Iraqi’s from the North-Central Iraq and Task Force Danger leadership, met for the first time on 3 June to discuss and recommend solutions to problems preventing cohesion throughout the region. The group divided into four subcommittees to address specific issues. The economic subcommittee discussed ways to improve the overall economy of the region by increasing employment opportunities. The cultural subcommittee deliberated over Iraqi’s expectations following the 30 June transfer of sovereignty. The political subcommittee addressed concerns about the January 2005 elections and the security subcommittee attended to the issue of violence, ways to decrease it, and the rehiring of former Iraqi military. After subcommittee outbriefs, the conference wrapped up with a tour of the new North-Central Region Iraqi Civil Defense Corps Training Facility. This is a great example of Task Force Danger and Iraqi leaders working together to help North-Central Iraq successfully transition to sovereignty and focus efforts toward reconstruction and economic development.
Iraqi police officers in the province of Salah Ad Din received 24 new police cars courtesy of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team in a ceremony on 20 May. The cars were designated for police departments in several cities, including Tikrit, Balad, and Samarra, all within the Salah Ad Din province. Col Randy Dragon presented the cars to the Chief of Police for the Salah Ad Din Province, Brig. Gen. Mazher Taha Ahmad. Task Force Danger continues to address the challenges of equipping the Iraqi Police Service and these cars, bought from a local contractor, are a step in the right direction.
One hundred forty-seven Iraqi police officers graduated from the new Tikrit Police Academy in a ceremony 27 May. During the three-week course, the police officers were taught democratic police procedures, human rights, and policies of arresting and detaining criminals. This class is the largest graduating class of the academy and was solely taught by Iraqi civilian police. In his remarks to the graduating class, Colonel Gene Kamena congratulated the graduates and said the Iraqi police are making a huge difference. The Iraqi police are a professional force, and a great symbol of the future of Iraq.
A Ground Breaking Ceremony was held near Ash Sharqat on 26 May to mark the beginning of construction for a new elementary school building near Kassem Village.
LTC Kyle McClelland, TF 1-7 Commander, spoke to the students, parents and officials who attended the ceremony. He emphasized the importance of the youth and the role a quality education will play in Iraq’s future. Sharqat Mayor, the Honorable Muhsin Khalaf, echoed LTC McClelland’s words and extended his appreciation to TF 1-7 for their partnership with the community in this important endeavor. The ceremony was followed by a small luncheon provided by the contractor for the new school. During the luncheon, TF 1-7 Soldiers distributed school supplies collected from friends and relatives at home to the excited and smiling students of Othman School. The project is expected to be complete by July 1.
Conclusion
Task Force Danger continues to simultaneously conduct combat and stability operations that are leading to a secure environment and improved infrastructure. Our soldiers are making a huge difference in Iraq. Our family members are behind us 100 percent. The price has been high, but the soldiers of the 1st Infantry Division and Task Force Danger are resolute and steadfast. We will accomplish the mission. We have made great strides in partnership with the courageous people of Iraq towards their future of civil and military self-reliance. The American people should be very proud and confident in the outcome of the Operation Iraqi Freedom mission. Duty First!
