Posted on 08/13/2006 4:03:14 PM PDT by Gucho
By Jim Garamone - American Forces Press Service
CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq, Aug. 13, 2006 – The Iraqi people must step forward and accept their freely elected government if there is to be peace in the country’s troubled Anbar province, the coalition’s commander in the region said here today.
Marine Maj. Gen. Richard C. Zilmer met with reporters traveling with Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Marine Gen. Peter Pace.
Zilmer said relations between the coalition and the province’s population, as well as the security climate in former hot spots such as Fallujah and Qaim, have improved. But though these “atmospherics” have changed for the better, big problems do remain, and it is up to the Iraqis to solve them, he said.
Roughly the size of North Carolina, Anbar is the largest province by area in Iraq and is home for between 1.3 million and 1.4 million people, mostly gathered in the Euphrates River valley. The largest city and provincial capital – and his command’s biggest challenge -- is Ramadi, Zilmer said.
Insurgents have a major presence there, he explained, and coalition and Iraqi forces are moving into parts of Ramadi where they didn’t in the past. They have freed hospitals and the province’s university from being staging areas for terrorists, and Zilmer said the operations will expand.
The general said he sees “dramatic improvements” in the Iraqi army. Two Iraqi divisions are in the region – the 1st and the 7th. Results from coalition military transition teams and coalition units partnering with Iraqi battalions, brigades and divisions “have been very positive,” Zilmer said.
But the same is not yet true of the police, the general noted. “At the end of the day, the ability of the police to provide for the local security of the province will be critical to the success of Anbar,” he added.
Part of the problem in Anbar is a difficult relationship between Iraqi officials in Baghdad and provincial officials in Ramadi, Zilmer said, and his command is working to help bridge the gap that exists between the national and provincial governments.
Zilmer said he has the troops he needs to provide security and train the Iraqi security forces, but that ultimate success or failure in the region is a matter for the Iraqis.
“There will not be a coalition victory against the insurgents,” he said. “That is a problem for the national security forces and the national government. We cannot win the insurgency. What I can do is provide the conditions for them to be successful, and I have the troops I need to do that.”
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By Spc. Jason Thompson - 4th Inf. Div. PAO
Aug 13, 2006
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers now have a modern, fully equipped dental clinic to serve routine, emergency, surgical and special dental needs.
The Camp Liberty Dental Clinic, operated by Soldiers from the 502nd Dental Company, Multi-National Division – Iraq, based out of Balad, Iraq, opened Aug. 5.
The clinic is furnished with new equipment featuring the latest technology. Dentists and assistants will be able to serve almost any patient’s dental requirements – from the simple to the complex.
“The equipment is state of the art,” said Capt. Ryan Stratton, endodontist, 502nd Dental Co. “We have the capability to do anything from annual cleanings to root canal therapy or from tooth extractions to cavity fillings. We can even create dental implants in cases of emergency.”
The existing Camp Liberty Dental Clinic building required significant renovation before it was ready for the new dental equipment to be installed, said Staff Sgt. Brandon Williams, clinic noncommissioned officer in charge, 502nd Dental Co.
“We had to coordinate with the engineers and (Kellogg, Brown and Root) to redo all the plumbing and electric wiring before we could install the new equipment,” said Williams.
His Soldiers put in a lot of extra time and effort after their regular duty day ended to pitch in and help complete the project in time for the ribbon-cutting ceremony, he added.
“Most of the hours logged by the Soldiers were after a full day of work, which, to me, shows how dedicated they are to being able to provide quality care, in a quality facility, to the Soldiers who need it,” he continued.
The clinic boasts eight operating bays, including one specialty bay dedicated to root canal therapy, a complete dental laboratory and a full staff of dentists and dental assistants to help process patients in and out quickly.
“We have some of the greatest dentists and dental assistants in the Army, and combined with this new equipment, you will see a lot of great things come out of this clinic,” said Lt. Col. Michael Moyer, officer-in-charge, Camp Liberty Dental Clinic, 502nd Dental Co. “We are here to serve the Soldiers, and I don’t think we’ll have many complaints about the services we offer.”
Moyer concurred that his staff worked long and hard to help complete the clinic on time and noted the product of their efforts was evident at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Soldiers said they were happy to have completed the “move-in phase” of the project so they could get to work.
“I’m eager to start working in this building,” said Spc. Andrea Haist, dental assistant, 502nd Dental Co. “We’ve put in a lot of hours and it’s good to finally see the finished product.
“We have much more space, which will help to assist more patients. And also with how we spruced it up, I think it’ll feel like a small piece of home for our patients.”
ADDITIONAL PHOTOS:
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – A row of newly installed dental operating bays are ready for use at the renovated Camp Liberty Dental Clinic. Dentists and dental assistants from the 502nd Dental Company, Multi-National Division – Iraq, cut the ribbon, marking the opening of the state of the art facility Aug. 5. It will serve Soldiers of Multi-National Division – Baghdad. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Jason Thompson, 4th Inf. Div. PAO)
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – A newly installed dental chair awaits its first patient at the renovated Camp Liberty Dental Clinic. Dentists and dental assistants from the 502nd Dental Company, Multi-National Division – Iraq, cut the ribbon marking the opening of the state of the art facility Aug. 5. It will serve Soldiers of Multi-National Division – Baghdad. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Jason Thompson, 4th Inf. Div. PAO)
By Tom Clarkson, Gulf Region Division - U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Aug 13, 2006
BAGHDAD, Iraq - Iraq Prime Minister Maliki set the stage with his warmly received remarks to the U.S. Congress last month when he said, “There needs to be a greater reliance on Iraqis and Iraqi companies, with foreign aid and assistance, to help rebuild Iraq.”
Today, warm reception turned to hot - both temperately and topically - when this subject was recently presented in the country’s capital. Outside, the day was beastly hot. Inside, thankfully, air conditioning tempered the blistering Iraqi summer while enthusiasm for the subject burned within those in attendance. With the exception of subtle touches of Arabic design ambiance, the site of this excitement in which a seminar on the topic was conducted could well have been that of any up-scale Midwest U.S. hotel.
The women attendee’s attire ranged from the more customary jilbads to smartly tailored western, business, pant suits. The men - many who acknowledged that they were attending in representation of a business which was owned by a woman - were traditionally mustachioed and wore long sleeve, open collared, light colored or striped shirts with well pressed slacks. Located in the International Zone not far from the ancient Tigris River in Baghdad, with nearly eighty attendees, the event was being conducted The Al Rasheed Hotel.
All had come for the “Business Opportunities Seminar for Iraqi Business Women.” It was jointly sponsored by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Gulf Region Division/Project and Contracting Office (USACE-GRD/PCO) and the Joint Contracting Command – Iraq & Afghanistan (JCC-I/A) with active participation by representatives from the Multi-National Forces-Iraq (MNFI-I).
Attentively taking notes, the participants actively pored over the several presentations and related hand-out materials, provided both in English and Arabic. Great attention to detail, in preparation for this conference, had been affected by Azza Humadi, the GRD/PCO Women’s Advocate Initiative Project Manager. “Events such these are a ‘must’ for my countrywomen,” she stated with firm conviction, “as women will play an extremely vital role in the successful re-building this country.”
Following welcoming remarks by the GRD/PCO Director of Reconstruction Programs, Ms. Chris Hinton-Lee, a variety of highly germane topics were presented such as one by JCC-I on contracting issues. Another, appropriately for a country still working on a cash basis, was one regarding banking. The presenter, a Managing Director of one of the country’s new banks, discussed Iraq’s monetary challenges and opportunities. He emphasized, to the budding, capitalist entrepreneurs, the vital importance to a business, of cash flow and the keen need for the country to move into electronic banking.
He was followed by a well articulated presentation via professionals from MNFI-I regarding the actual procedures of issuing proper bids and proposals. The purpose of Iraqi First Program is “To promote and develop the capacity of the Iraqi economy through greater utilization of Iraqi vendors in fulfilling coalition requirements.” Ms. Humadi pointed out, “The goal of MNF-I’s program is a great one, ‘To assist Iraq to transition to a vibrant self-sustaining free market economy’.”
She continued, “The benefits for my country are multifold. This shifts work directly to Iraqi firms and positively impacts our country’s economy by dealing with firms owned by Iraqis who have direct participation in the contract performance and who are employing other Iraqis.”
Mid afternoon, post seminar, small knots of Iraqis stayed in the room and excitedly talked. Their animation and appreciative smiles to those who had coordinated the event well indicated the success of the seminar. They’d heard the message and understood its application to both themselves, and their country’s, future.
Tom Clarkson is a member of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Gulf Region Division/Project and Contracting Office public affairs team in Iraq.
Sunday, August 13, 2006
Polio cases quadruple in Afghanistan
Aug 13, 2006
A boy rests as he takes care of an expensive car in Kabul, Afghanistan, Sunday, Aug. 13, 2006. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)
By Kent Harris - Stars and Stripes European edition
Sunday, August 13, 2006
SAN GIORGIO, Italy — What a difference a few months can make.
The 173rd Airborne Brigade, fresh off a yearlong stint in Afghanistan — and a similar tour in Iraq that ended in 2004 — is in the process of training hundreds of troops to be “Sky Soldiers.”
Hundreds of soldiers served in both of those missions with the 173rd, making the brigade one of the most combat-experienced in the Army.
But hundreds of recent departures have changed that.
While Army units always see some changeover, the 173rd has been hit harder than usual for many reasons, including the end of prolonged tours made necessary by the two missions in Southwest Asia.
Some units in the brigade have seen more than two-thirds of their soldiers go elsewhere or leave the military.
Some of their replacements have served in other Army units, but many are new recruits not long out of basic training.
So units are busily training to gain skills or qualifications.
Capt. Tom Bostwick, commander of Company B from 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, said almost all of the noncommissioned officers in his battalion have served tours in Iraq or Afghanistan — many of them with the 173rd.
So that gives them credibility when telling new recruits how to do things.
“We have NCOs saying, ‘When I was in combat, this is what I saw,’” he said.
Sgt. 1st Class Eddie King, who served in Afghanistan with the battalion and served in Iraq with the 82nd Airborne Division, said it is a tactic that NCOs use effectively.
“We tell them, ‘If you think this is a joke, you’re mistaken. Because this is what we did and what we saw in Iraq and Afghanistan.’”
Bostwick said he’s not going to rush his new troops through.
He wants to take the time to make sure they’re trained thoroughly and properly.
Lt. Col. Mike Fenzel, battalion commander, echoed Bostwick’s desire to not rush and get each soldier properly trained.
Even though it seems likely that the 173rd will deploy somewhere in 2007.
Pfc. Casey Nix, one of the newest “Sky Soldiers,” said the training is “more intense” than basic training. “It’s about what I expected,” he said.
Although the drills looked monotonous, he said he was learning more every time.
“We still haven’t gotten it, but we’re getting there. They keep throwing different scenarios at us to keep us on our toes.”
By Scott Schonauer - Stars and Stripes European edition
Saturday, August 12, 2006
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany — Passengers traveling on U.S. military aircraft and chartered flights around the globe can expect the same tougher security measures travelers are enduring at many civilian airports.
The Air Mobility Command — which oversees military airlift operations — has adopted the additional airport and air travel security measures issued by the Department of Homeland Security in response to a thwarted terrorist attack in Britain.
New rules prohibit liquids and gels in carry-on luggage. That means such things as soft drinks, bottled water, toothpaste and suntan lotion must be put in checked baggage.
The restrictions went into effect at Ramstein Air Base’s terminal in Germany last night.
Senior Master Sgt. Brian McDaniel, superintendent of Passenger Services, said most people have taken the changes in stride.
“Our customers — for the most part — have been very understanding,” McDaniel said, adding that most people who fly with the military have been accustomed to security changes since the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks.
No flights at Ramstein were canceled or delayed due to the new restrictions. While passengers at civilian airports reportedly waited hours to reach security checkpoints, there was little or no disruption to services at Ramstein, said 2nd Lt. Cody Honeycutt, terminal operations officer in charge.
On Friday, Air Force transportation specialists searched carry-on baggage before passengers entered waiting areas. The terminal began removing beverages from vending machines in areas beyond security checkpoints in a sign that the new measures could be around for a while.
Passengers are encouraged to arrive early and put liquids and gels in their checked baggage. Signs are posted throughout the Ramstein terminal as a reminder.
Rick Waskom, 59, a military retiree from Fredericksburg, Va., had no problems with the new rules. He flew from RAF Mildenhall in England to Ramstein on Friday after vacationing in Britain with his wife. She would have flown with him but had already purchased a ticket on a commercial airline from London to Washington, D.C.
“That’s just the world today,” he said. “It’s a crazy place. You have to be as flexible as a rubber band, because every day things change.”
Military members making a permanent change of station have been given breaks on travel procedures to accommodate for new baggage restrictions, said Tech. Sgt. Tracey Strouse, noncommissioned officer in charge of the outbound assignments office at RAF Mildenhall, England.
Servicemembers are temporarily allowed to pack their relocation package — containing essential finance and medical records — in their luggage or mail it to themselves, Strouse said. Normally, servicemembers are required to hand-carry the packet to their destination, she said.
Military members will also be allowed to collect reimbursement for any excess baggage they have to check at an airport due to the new restrictions — another temporary exception to policy, she said.
Stripes reporter Ben Murray in the U.K. contributed to this report.
NEWS RELEASE
U.S. COAST GUARD
************************
Response to possible Mackinaw Bridge threat
By David Helwig - SooToday.com
Sunday, August 13, 2006
SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. - U.S. Coast Guard Sector Sault Ste. Marie increased patrols across the Straits of Mackinac in response to a possible terrorist threat to the Mackinaw Bridge Sunday.
After learning of a possible threat to the Mackinaw Bridge, the U.S. Coast Guard increased the number of patrols in the vicinity of the bridge.
The additional patrols are being conducted to deter, detect and allow for a more timely response to any possible threats made to the bridge.
The general threat level in which the Coast Guard operates under has not increased.
The Coast Guard will work with local law enforcement authorities and other Department of Homeland Security agencies to assist as needed.
We would like to remind the public to contact local authorities if any suspicious activity is observed in the vicinity of the bridge.
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Aug. 13, 2006 – U.S. soldiers in recent days have recovered an Iraqi hostage and captured a terrorist cell leader, officials said.
Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers from D Company, 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, captured the terrorist cell leader during an Aug. 10 cordon-and-search operation southwest of Baghdad.
The cell leader is directly linked to a July 17 attack on a local market in Mahmudiyah, which killed 40 Iraqis and wounded another 70 others.
“Our soldiers are simply awesome,” said Col. Todd Ebel, commander of 2nd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. “This is the third top member of this violent and elusive terrorist cell we have detained in recent weeks.”
Also on Aug. 10, an Iraqi man being held hostage was freed after Task Force Band of Brothers soldiers found him blindfolded and bound in the back of a vehicle near Baqubah.
The rescue occurred after a 101st Combat Aviation Brigade helicopter that was patrolling the area spotted the vehicle. The pilot noticed a suspicious gathering of people around the vehicle and reported the sighting.
A ground patrol attached to the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, was sent to the area to investigate and found the man who claimed to have been kidnapped in Baqubah on Aug. 2.
The soldiers treated the man for his injuries and provided him a cell phone to call his family before taking him to a nearby coalition base, military officials said.
This is the second hostage rescue by Iraqi and Task Force Band of Brothers soldiers in the past two weeks. On July 30, Iraqi and U.S. soldiers raiding a suspected terrorist weapons cache near Muqdadiyah freed another Iraqi man the day before he was to be “judged” and likely killed by his kidnappers, officials said.
Kidnapping, whether for ransom, terror or propaganda use, continues to be a key terrorist and criminal tactic throughout Iraq. Teamwork between coalition forces and increasingly capable Iraqi security forces, aided and abetted by local residents, is aimed at identifying and capturing these kidnappers, military officials said.
Tip lines have been established in the provincial joint communication centers in Iraq's northern provinces to allow residents to anonymously provide information about terrorist activity, officials said.
(Compiled from Multinational Corps Iraq news releases.)
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By Jim Garamone American Forces Press Service
BAGHDAD, Aug. 13, 2006 – Misdeeds by servicemembers in Iraq, while rare, give the world the wrong impression of what the U.S. military stands for, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said during a visit here yesterday.
Marine Corps Gen. Peter Pace said the incidents, which include the alleged murder of Iraqi civilians in Haditha and the alleged rape and murder of an Iraqi girl and her family south of Baghdad, reflect badly on all American servicemembers and represent only a tiny proportion of the Americans who have served in Iraq.
“It’s not who we are as a nation; it’s not who we are as an armed force,” Pace said. He said that when the allegations surfaced, Marine Commandant Gen. Michael Hagee visited thousands of deployed Marines to reinforce just how Marines are supposed to act.
“We’ve had between 1 million and 1.5 million Americans deploy to the Gulf,” Pace said. “A small fraction of them have done things that we know for sure were wrong.” He called such acts and those who commit them “unacceptable.”
“And we will deal with that,” the chairman promised.
Pace said that with the exception of the Haditha incident, all the others were reported via the chain of command. He said this proves the system works.
Pace visited with U.S. military leaders in Baghdad yesterday, including Multinational Force Iraq Commander Army Gen. George W. Casey Jr.; Army Lt. Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, commander of the effort training Iraqi security forces; and Army Maj. Gen. James Thurman, Multinational Division Baghdad commander. Pace said the generals discussed ongoing operations, trends for the future, U.S. troop levels in Iraq and progress in training the Iraqi security forces to shoulder the responsibility for defending their nation.
Pace acknowledged the sectarian violence in the Iraqi capital has concerned him, but said he is confident that Iraqi and coalition forces can get a handle on it. However, he said, the Iraqis themselves must decide they do not want that type of violence in their country. Only then, he said, can the coalition begin reducing its troop numbers in the country.
“The problem is not so much how much combat power you have in a country, it’s more how is the governance going,” Pace said. “How are the people doing? What is getting better about their economic situation, what is getting better about their trust for each other? What is getting better about the education system and roads and the like? What gives them hope for a better future? This drives you to the understanding that to have a better future, you need to stop killing one another.”
There are problems in Iraq, but there are also signs of hope, he said. “Despite all the violence, there are still between 4,000 and 5,000 tips per month reported by the Iraqi people,” Pace said. “The Iraqi army is in the fight – the army is taking casualties three to four times what the coalition is. The population needs to make the fundamental decision that they have had enough.”
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