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Baghdad -- Om Hussein, wrapped in her black abaya, lists the contents of the family's walk-in storage closet: three 175-pound cases of rice, two 33-pound cases of cooking fat, six cases of canned tomatoes, three crates of assorted legumes, a one-month supply of drinking water, frozen chicken livers in the freezer. And in the garage, jerry cans filled with fuel are piled floor to ceiling. Om Hussein, who was reluctant to give her full name, and her Shiite family are preparing for war. They've stocked up on food. They bought a Kalashnikov rifle and a second car -- so that...

President Bush vowed for the first time yesterday to turn over most of Iraq to newly trained Iraqi troops by the end of this year, setting a specific benchmark as he kicked off a fresh drive to reassure Americans alarmed by the recent burst of sectarian violence. Bush, who until now has resisted concrete timelines as the Iraq war dragged on longer than he expected, outlined the target in the first of a series of speeches intended to lay out his strategy for victory. While acknowledging grim developments on the ground, Bush declared "real progress" in standing up Iraqi forces...

NEWS RELEASEHEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND7115 South Boundary BoulevardMacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894 October 28, 2004Release Number: 04-10-70 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE IRAQI SWAT TEAM ROLLS UP 18 INSURGENTS IN NORTHERN BABIL FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – The Iraqi SWAT team, backed by elements of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, captured 18 insurgents during a sweep through the south-central Iraqi town of Haswah Oct. 27. The operation raised to nearly 500 the number of insurgents caught by Iraqi Security Forces and their Marine allies since the MEU arrived in northern Babil province three...

  Iraqi Security Forces Conduct Joint Operations Near Tuz Tuz, Iraq- Soldiers from the 209th Battalion of the Iraqi National Guard and police from the Tuz Iraqi Police department with multi-national forces from the 30th Brigade Combat Team’s Task Force 120 conducted several cordon and searches in Tuz and Amerlie on Oct. 21. They detained five suspects in the murder of the Sulyman Bak Iraqi Police Chief Lt. Col. Rasheed on Oct. 7. This joint mission was conducted with ING soldiers conducting the main search operations in Amerlie and multi-national forces providing the outer security, resulting in the detention...

Sunday, October 3, 2004 Iraqis agreed to help drive out terrorists By Ward Sanderson, Stars and StripesEuropean edition, Sunday, October 3, 2004 BAGHDAD — Tribal leaders in the city of Samarra met with government officials prior to this week’s U.S. and Iraqi assault on insurgents there, agreeing to help drive the terrorists out, according to the new government’s top security official.About 125 of those insurgents — including foreign fighters, Saddam Hussein supporters and common criminals — were killed in strikes Friday and another were 88 injured, Qasim Dawoud, Iraq’s minister of state for national security, during a Friday evening news...

NEWS RELEASEHEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND7115 South Boundary BoulevardMacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894 September 27, 2004Release Number: 04-09-83 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE IRAQI NATIONAL GUARD SOLDIERS THWART HIJACKING ATTEMPT TIKRIT, Iraq – Soldiers from the 203rd Iraqi National Guard Battalion thwarted a hijacking attempt by anti-Iraqi forces near Ad Dujayl at about 3:45 p.m. Sept. 27. The 203rd was conducting a patrol along a main supply route when the soldiers saw anti-Iraqi forces attempting to hijack a vehicle in which six Turkish nationals were riding. The Turkish nationals are employees of a Kellogg Brown...

Allawi Thanks America, Details Plan for Iraq's Future By Jim GaramoneAmerican Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Sept. 23, 2004 -- "Thank you, America," Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi told a joint session of Congress today. Allawi thanked the United States for its role in the liberation of Iraq. He said that despite what people may read in the news or see on television, "Iraq is succeeding." The prime minister did not sugarcoat the challenges lying ahead for his country. But, he said, Iraq, the region and the world are "better off without Saddam Hussein." Allawi, who had been driven into...

Iraqi Police Training U.S. Army Spc. David Boshears, assigned to the 66th Military Police Company, Fort Lewis, Wash., trains Iraqi police on the proper technique to apprehend a criminal at the Al Mahawil police station in Al Hillah, Iraq, Sept. 21, 2004. Soldiers from the 66th Military Police Company visited the Iraqi police stations in their area of responsibility to ensure that the police have proper equipment and that the police are running their stations properly. U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Adam Sanders llllllllllllll  U.S. soldiers from the 66th Military Police Company, Fort Lewis, Wash., talk with Iraqi policeman...

Most of Iraq Under Local Control by Year's End, Officials Say By Jim GaramoneAmerican Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Sept. 20, 2004 – If the training and equipping of Iraqi security forces continues apace, then most of the country will be under local control by the end of the year, Pentagon officials said today. Army Lt. Gen. Walter Sharp, director of strategic plans on the Joint Staff, said that is the conclusion reached by Multinational Force Iraq commander Army Gen. George W. Casey Jr. He said the northern part of the country – including the areas around Mosul and Kirkuk...

Two More Generators Come Online in IraqBy Mitch Frazier, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Gulf Region DivisionBAGHDAD – Two electricity generators that had fallen into disrepair under the former regime in suburban Baghdad returned to service today, producing enough electricity to fuel 72,000 Iraqi homes. Iraqi and U.S. engineers brought the 7 Megawatt generator in southern Baghdad and the 17 Megawatt generator in north Baghdad online this morning. “This is a very important step in overcoming the power shortage across the country,” said Raad Shalal, a senior Iraq Ministry of Electricity official. “This will help us reach our goal...

Iraqi National Guard soldiers from Samarra graduate basic training Members of the 202nd ING Battalion salute while the Iraqi national anthem is played during their graduation ceremony in Tikrit on Aug 16. Iraqi National Guard soldiers completed the ING basic course and the six day advanced training phase. (Photo by Roland G. Walters, 196th MPAD) FORWARD OPERATING BASE DANGER, TIKRIT, Iraq – Most were once farmers with little education from rival tribes.But on Aug. 16, the more than 300 Iraqi National Guard Soldiers who graduated from basic training were literally on one accord both militarily and rhythmically.“We are ready...

Occupation Ends; Iraqis Take Charge of Country's Fate By John D. BanusiewiczAmerican Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, June 28, 2004 – Sovereignty in Iraq passed from the Coalition Provisional Authority to the interim Iraqi government this morning, two days ahead of schedule. In a 10-minute ceremony inside the heavily fortified "Green Zone" where coalition headquarters is located in Baghdad, CPA administrator Ambassador L. Paul Bremer III read a letter he had signed which dissolved the CPA. "As recognized in U.N. Security Council Resolution 1546, the Coalition Provisional Authority will cease to exist on June 28, at which point the occupation...

  Iraqi Security Forces and first responders perform well during attacksMOSUL, IRAQ - A series of attacks in Mosul on June 24, that included four or five car bomb explosions and a rocket-propelled grenade attack, resulted in a "hardening of wills" by many senior Iraqi government and security force leaders, according to Brig. Gen. Carter Ham, commander of Task Force Olympia. "The response to these attacks was almost entirely Iraqi - Iraqi police, Iraqi National Guard, explosive ordnance disposal, ambulances, fire stations and medical teams," Ham said. "The first responders did a great job. I am very happy with...

Iraqi Security Forces Open the First JCC in Northern IraqStory by Task Force OlympiaMOSUL, IRAQ – The Iraqi Security Forces in the Ninevah Province increased their ability to protect Iraqi citizens and to react to emergencies, when they opened the first Joint Coordination Center in northern Iraq June 23. All security operations will operate from the Mosul JCC where a representative from every security force element will be stationed to facilitate coordination. Representatives from the Iraqi National Guard, Iraqi Police, Facility Protection Services and Iraqi Armed Forces will be stationed at the JCC to efficiently fight crime and terrorism....

  Iraqi Security Forces repel anti-Iraqi attacks CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq -- Anti-Iraqi forces attacked three police stations and the government center in Ramadi the morning of June 24. The attacks appear to be a coordinated attempt to disrupt key municipal services within the city. Specifically, at the Qatana Police Station, 14 anti-Iraqi fighters entered the station, forced the Iraqi police to leave, set explosives and vacated the scene. The ensuing blast destroyed the station. Iraqi security forces responded and successfully repelled the various attacks. I Marine Expeditionary Force Marines deployed quick reaction forces to assist and supplement the Iraqi...

Iraq Success Depends Upon Iraqi-Provided Security, Wolfowitz Says By Gerry J. GilmoreAmerican Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, June 22, 2004 – Success in Iraq is predicated on Iraqis eventually assuming responsibility for their own security, Deputy Defense Secretary Paul D. Wolfowitz told a House panel today. And the security situation in Iraq today "is incredibly serious," Wolfowitz acknowledged in testimony before the House Armed Services Committee. Wolfowitz, who just returned from a visit to Iraq June 16-19, provided his insights just eight days before the June 30 handover of sovereignty. Die-hard Saddamists and Islamic fundamentalists sowing terror and instability across...

Iraqi Government Reshapes Forces for National Security By John D. BanusiewiczAmerican Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, June 21, 2004 – The prime minister of Iraq's interim government announced organizational changes for the country's security forces, along with a plan for taking on Iraq's enemies, at a June 20 Baghdad news conference. Prime Minister Ayad Allawi said his government is committed to confronting the threats it faces when sovereignty transfers to the Iraqi people June 30. He pointed out the continued presence of sabotage elements in Iraq, including those from Saddam's former regime and foreign elements. These "oppose the aspirations of...

Iraqis to Manage All Ministries Before June 30 By Gerry J. GilmoreAmerican Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, June 21, 2004 – Iraqis will assume management of all national government ministries before the June 30 transfer of sovereignty, the Coalition Provisional Authority's chief spokesman said today. "Nearly 60 percent of the Iraqi government is already transitioned to sovereignty," Dan Senor told reporters at a Baghdad news conference. And, he noted, Iraqi officials are slated to assume control of the remaining ministries by the end of the week. With nine days remaining before the transfer of power, Iraqis now run 15 of...

Iraqi Instructors to Conduct Most Military Training By Gerry J. GilmoreAmerican Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, June 21, 2004 – From now on Iraqis will be conducting most of the training for Iraq's new armed forces, a senior U.S. military officer said today. Army Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt, deputy director of operations for Multinational Force Iraq, told reporters at a Baghdad news briefing that 843 Iraqi army officers, including 11 women officers, graduated this week from a military course conducted in Jordan. That course is the second and final of its kind, Kimmitt explained, and is part of the U.S.-coalition...

Iraqi Official to American Press: Report More Good By Kathleen T. RhemAmerican Forces Press Service BAGHDAD, Iraq, June 20, 2004 – Iraq's deputy prime minister implored the American press to provide more balanced coverage of operations in Iraq. Barham Salih, a prominent leader from Kurdish northern Iraq, made his plea June 19 to American reporters traveling in Iraq with Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz. "I hope you from the American press will be able to tell people back home … that (through) this mission you are giving an entire nation an opportunity to be rid of their challenges," he...

  Iraqi People Must Take Responsibility, Kurdish Leader Says By Kathleen T. RhemAmerican Forces Press Service LAKE DOKAN, Iraq, June 17, 2004 – The Iraqi people must be responsible for their own security and not depend on American troops to defeat terrorism in Iraq, the leader of the People's Union of Kurdistan said today. Following dinner with Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz and other members of an American delegation, Jalal Talibani spoke with American reporters traveling with the group. "Fighting terrorism must be the job of Iraqis; we must not depend on our American friends," he said, in English....

Wolfowitz Visits Officials in Northern Iraq By Kathleen T. RhemAmerican Forces Press ServiceLAKE DOKAN, Iraq, June 17, 2004 – Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz visited several areas of northern Iraq today, spending time with U.S. military commanders and local leaders. At Logistics Support Area Anaconda in Mosul, officers of Multinational Brigade North briefed Wolfowitz on security issues facing the area, relationships with the local population, and the performance of Iraqi security forces. A senior Task Force Olympia officer told Wolfowitz the situation in Mosul is nothing like that in the restive city of Fallujah. "You're not going to see...

Iraqis Now Control 15 of 26 Government Ministries By Sgt. 1st Class Doug Sample, USAAmerican Forces Press ServiceWASHINGTON, June 15, 2004 -- With just over two weeks remaining before the formal handover of sovereignty on June 30, the transition of authority to Iraq's new government is more than half complete, Coalitional Provisional Authority officials said in Baghdad today. Senior CPA spokesman Dan Senor told reporters that nearly 60 percent of the Iraqi government already has been turned over to Iraqi control. Thus far, 15 of Iraq's 26 newly established ministries are under Iraqi control, he said. The other 11...

    1st Infantry Division Graduates Iraqi Leadership Class, Dedicates Training Center TIKRIT, Iraq - Members of the 1st Infantry Division, local dignitaries and other guests were on hand June 10 for an Iraqi Civil Defense Corps Primary Leadership Development Course graduation ceremony. The class was the first to graduate from the newly opened North Central ICDC Regional Training Center at Forward Operating Base Danger. After the graduation, the facility was dedicated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The new facility will also host basic training for ICDC soldiers. Maj. Gen. John R.S. Batiste, commander of the 1st ID and Task...

1st Cav, ICDC Conduct Joint Cordon-and-Search Mission BAGHDAD, Iraq - Under the guidance of 1st Cavalry Division troops, Iraqi Civil Defense Corps Soldiers recently conducted a cordon-and-search mission in the Al Sowaib area of Al Rashid. It was the first large-scale ICDC combat operation in the 1st Cavalry area of operations. Capt. Martin Wohlgemuth, a fire-support officer with 1st Cavalry Division, said the ICDC Soldiers did exactly what they were trained to do. "We had a team that went in and cleared the building, another team that went in and searched, and they did exactly that," Wohlgemuth said. "They...

TF Danger Soldiers Find Large Cache KIRKUK, Iraq - Task Force Danger Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment led explosive ordnance disposal teams to weapons cache near here May 29. The EOD teams recovered more than 70 artillery and mortar rounds, 23 anti-tank munitions, an antipersonnel mine and three hand grenades. While the EOD team was at the site, an Iraqi child brought one SA-7 surface to air missile to the Soldiers. The cache was taken to a Coalition base for destruction.  Release #040530c ~ May 29 ~ 1st ID Soldiers Destroy Car Bomb TIKRIT, Iraq - 1st...

Iraq Reconstruction Moving Ahead Again By Donna MilesAmerican Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, May 25, 2004 -- Security challenges in Iraq put a significant wrinkle into reconstruction efforts in early spring, but work is once again progressing rapidly on $5 billion in contracts awarded in March, the U.S. head of reconstruction in Iraq told Pentagon reporters May 24. Retired Navy Rear Adm. David J. Nash, director of the Iraq Program Management Office in Baghdad, said rebuilding continued throughout the tumultuous April 9 timeframe, even when 75 percent of the Iraqi workforce stopped showing up for work due to security concerns....

  Iraqi army graduates of Kurkush Military Training Base's Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Course will be slotted for reassignment throughout the country training new Iraqi army recruits. U.S. Army p hoto by Sgt. Jared Zabaldo.   Iraqi Army Soldiers Graduate from Coalition School By  U.S. Army Sgt. Jared Zabaldo / Office of Security Cooperation Public Affairs KURKUSH MILITARY TRAINING BASE, Iraq , May 24, 2004  — The Office of Security Cooperation's Coalition Military Assistance Training Team graduated nearly 1,000 Iraqi army soldiers from the Non-Commissioned Officer  Academy here, May 20, 2004, in a formal ceremony on the base's parade grounds. The...

Marine, Iraqi leaders ready to push ahead toward Iraq's futureSubmitted by: 1st Marine DivisionStory Identification #: 200452173641Story by Gunnery Sgt. Mark Oliva CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, Iraq (May 21, 2004) -- Leaders of the 1st Marine Division, the Fallujah Brigade and Fallujah's mayor said Thursday that the city is ready for rebuilding. "I've got my plan and by God, come hell or high water, I'm just going to execute that plan no matter what," said Maj. Gen. James N. Mattis, commander of the 1st Marine Division. "Our end state was all along, if you ask the Marines, was 'no better...

Daily News Wrap Up for the 1st Infantry Division TIKRIT, Iraq -- First Infantry Division and Task Force Danger conducted 406 patrols and one raid May 20. Fifty-seven of the patrols were joint operations conducted with the Iraqi Security Forces. Soldiers acquired one SA-7 surface-to-air missile and one SA-14 missile through a buy-back program. The raids and patrols produced 61 155mm artillery rounds, three 100mm artillery rounds, six rifle grenades, one rocket-propelled-grenade round, and six improvised-explosive devices. The 61 155mm artillery rounds were found near Tikrit at about 12:59 p.m. on May 20. Soldiers from the 141st Engineer Battalion...

Office of Security Cooperation TrainsIraq's New Protectors of Freedom   By U.S. Army Sgt. Jared Zabaldo Office of Security Cooperation   BAGHDAD, Iraq, May 18, 2004 — Training a new army, building a new police force and securing a new nation from internal and external dangers are no small tasks. But that's exactly what the Office of Security Cooperation, a division of the Coalition Provisional Authority headquartered here, is charged with accomplishing. The organization, formerly referred to as the Coalition Military Assistance Training Team, has metamorphosed into the larger Office of Security Cooperation with two training prongs: the former...

Formerly CJTF-7:   Multi-National Corps-Iraq and Multi-National Force-Iraq: .       Explosives Delivered to Coalition Forces Near Baghdad BAGHDAD, Iraq — An unidentified Iraqi dropped the largest single cache, to date, of mortar rounds and triggering devices to a Task Force Baghdad base camp shortly after midnight this morning. An explosive ordnance disposal unit was called in after the drop and discovered that the cache contained 101, 82-millimeter mortar rounds, 99 triggering devices and a blasting cap. The EOD unit took possession of the munitions for future disposal.  Release #040517b

 Local Iraqi starts independent newspaperSubmitted by: 3rd Marine Aircraft WingStory Identification #: 2004514111914Story by Staff Sgt. A.C. Mink Al Asad, Iraq (May 14, 2004) -- Ammar Aloba Idi of Jooba, and Sevan Lousinian, Department of Defense Arabic translator, presented the pilot edition of The Voice of the Euphrates, the first independent newspaper for the local region, to Maj. Gen. James F. Amos, commanding general, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, here May 13. "For 35 years, Saddam teach people, in school and television, to deal with United States as enemy," said Aloba Idi. "This will take a lot of time -...

Northern Iraq Regional Training Center Graduates 80 New Iraqi Soldiers MOSUL, Iraq - Two ceremonies were held May 13 to celebrate the graduation of 60 Iraqi Civil Defense Corps soldiers from basic training and 20 ICDC soldiers from the Primary Leader Development Course at the Northern Iraq Regional Training Center in Qarrayah. Basic training is a six-week program designed to transform Iraqi civilians into soldiers through classes taught by the U.S. Army. Instructions cover basic rifle marksmanship, the law of war, human rights, security and checkpoint operations, basic communication, and maneuver skills. The 60 soldiers will move to their...

Abizaid Warns Fallujah Brigade Results Won't Be Instant By John D. BanusiewiczAmerican Forces Press ServiceWASHINGTON, April 30, 2004 – The new Iraqi brigade being formed to restore peace to Fallujah won't instantly solve the problems in the city, the commander of U.S. Central Command said today from his forward headquarters in Qatar. Army Gen. John Abizaid spoke with Pentagon reporters in a video teleconference. "What we have there is an opportunity, and not necessarily an agreement," the general said. "The opportunity is to build an Iraqi security force from former elements of the army that will work under the...

  1st Marine Expeditionary Force Creating 'Fallujah Brigade' By John D. BanusiewiczAmerican Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, April 30, 2004 – The 1st Marine Expeditionary Force is putting together the first battalion of a new Iraqi brigade being formed to restore and maintain order in the western city of Fallujah, a coalition military spokesman announced at a Baghdad news conference today. An officer from the former Iraqi army will command the unit, which will be an interim organization under 1st MEF command, said Army Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt, deputy operations director for Combined Joint Task Force 7. Kimmitt said the...

V CORPS TEAM HELPS TRAIN NEW IRAQI ARMY TO 'CRAWL, WALK, RUN'By Spc. John S. Wollaston3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division BAGHDAD, Iraq -- A small contingent of V Corps and Australian soldiers is teaching a new Iraqi army the tactics and skills necessary to defend their country.The six-Soldier team from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team of the corps' Task Force 1st Armored Division is working with its coalition partners to train, advise and mentor about 120 Iraqi Army soldiers at Camp Cooke, a former Iraqi military installation in Taji, just north of Baghdad. The soldiers of the new Iraqi...

Tuesday, March 23, 2004 Troops make inroads with Kurdish political parties By Seth Robson, Stars and StripesEuropean edition, Tuesday, March 23, 2004 Seth Robson / S&S A member of the Iraqi Civil Defence Corps stands guard in Diyana, Iraq. Seth Robson / S&S Staff Sgt. Bobby Mathews (left) of the 416th Civil Affairs Battalion inspects some of 20 Nissan Patrol SUVs delivered to Kurdish mayors in Diyala, Iraq, with the help of his unit while a Kurdish man looks on. Anas Dulami / S&S 1st Lt. Tim Hilfiger of the 416th Civil Affairs Battalion talks to Erbil lieutenant governor Tahir...

  Coalition Forces Detain Suspects, Collect Weapons MOSUL, Iraq -- Task Force Olympia soldiers from 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division and Iraqi police detained a combined total of five personnel suspected of anticoalition activities and conducted ongoing weapons collection operations in northern Iraq Friday and Saturday. Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment conducted cordon-and-search operations Friday in Mosul and detained four individuals suspected of anticoalition activities, including one suspected of conducting attacks against coalition forces. Concerned citizens of Iraq turned in 60 81 mm mortar rounds, 32 90 mm recoilless rifle rounds, five missiles of unknown type, 25...

Class Work Complete, ICDC NCOs Ready to Lead BAGHDAD, Iraq - The Iraqi Civil Defense Corps officially welcomed its NCO "backbone" during graduation ceremonies for the first Primary Leadership Development Course Thursday. The NCOs completed the first class of the Primary Leadership Development Course conducted in Iraq by the United States Army. The ceremony was held at the Camp Muleskinner, which is home to the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment's Support Squadron. The regiment is part of Task Force 1st Armored Division. One hundred sixteen ICDC soldiers participated in the historic ceremony. The program followed the U.S. Army's traditional ceremonial...

  Iraqis Learn to Spread Word Through Media By Master Sgt. Sonja C.R. Whittington, USAFSpecial to American Forces Press Service BAGHDAD, Iraq, March 13, 2004 – In another move toward a democratic society, a dozen Iraqi nationals have learned the meaning of a free press and the role of the media. Twelve Iraqis recently graduated from the first Iraqi Basic Pubic Affairs Course, taught by Combined Joint Task Force 7's Coalition Press Information Center here. Officials said the students all are part of the Iraqi Media Engagement Team at the CPIC, and are vital to spreading the word about...

Al Fayha School Celebrates Completed Renovations MOSUL, Iraq - The children enrolled at the Al Fayha School in eastern Mosul smiled, danced and clapped as they celebrated the completion of their school's much needed renovation with visitors from Task Force Olympia who played a role in organizing the renovations. Yazi Sulaiman, Al Fayha's headmaster, said the students are very pleased with their new surroundings and that even though there have been many new people from the Coalition forces around, they have worked hard and done well on their latest exams. Having coalition Soldiers in the school "has taught my...

Iraqi Armed Forces Celebrate Opening of New Training Facility MOSUL, Iraq - An Iraqi flag waves freely in the breeze over the battalion of Iraqi Armed Forces standing at attention. With crisp precision, the battalion renders the proper salute as the Iraqi national anthem plays. A ribbon is cut symbolizing the opening of Tall Afar Castle, where soldiers of the 3rd Battalion, Iraqi Armed Forces will live, train and provide security in the northwestern region of the country. The ceremony Monday marked the official opening of Tall Afar Castle. "It is important to protect our nation and our country,"...

NEWS RELEASEHEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND7115 South Boundary BoulevardMacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894 March 4, 2004Release Number: 04-03-07 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TF OLYMPIA COLLECTS WEAPONS MOSUL, IRAQ - Soldiers from 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, under the operational control of Task Force Olympia, continued ongoing weapons collection operations in northern Iraq with two turn-ins Tuesday. Members of the Coalition for Iraqi Unity, a concerned group of citizens in northwestern Iraq, approached 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment near Sinjar and turned in 14 rocket-propelled grenade rounds, three RPG boosters, one RPG sight, one 60mm...

  Commissioning Ceremony Recognizes ICDC Leaders BAGHDAD, Iraq - The Iraqi Civil Defense Corps officially welcomed and recognized its new commissioned officer leaders during a formal ceremony at Martyrs' Monument Friday. "Today is an historic day for these men, for their families, for Baghdad and for the people of Iraq," Brig. Gen. Martin Dempsey, the 1st Armored Division commander, told those on hand who observed the event. Dempsey stressed the importance of the ICDC soldiers' role in securing and preserving their country's freedom. "Today these men will swear an oath before God to take responsibility for the security of...

    The Baghdad Religious Accord24th February 2004In the name of God who is Almighty, Merciful and Compassionate, We who have gathered as clerics, intellectuals and political leaders representing all religions and doctrines, pray and appeal for the peace of Iraq and declare our commitment to doing all in our power to ensure the ending all acts of violence and bloodshed that deny the right to life, freedom and dignity. “We have dignified man” (a verse from the Holy Quran). According to our faith traditions killing innocents in the name of God is a desecration of the laws of heaven and...

ICDC Capabilities, Responsibilities Grow Through Al Anbar AR RAMADI, Iraq - The capabilities of the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps are growing steadily as they continue to independently operate in the Al Anbar province to provide peace and stability for the region. During the last 24 hours, ICDC soldiers conducted 13 independent patrols and 15 joint patrols with soldiers from Task Force "All American." Elements of the ICDC now have permanent barracks. All ICDC soldiers have standardized uniforms and are issued weapons to provide the security needed for the reconstruction of Iraq In Al Qa'im, the ICDC battalion now has...

101st Participates In Clinic, School Openings MOSUL, Iraq – The town of Hatra, in northern Iraq, celebrated a morning of new beginnings today with the help of the 2nd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and Maj. Gen. David H. Petraeus, division commander. The Hatra medical clinic was pronounced open following a ribbon cutting ceremony. The clinic was refurbished with $60,000 funded by the 101st and by the Coalition Provisional Authority. The money was used to install heating, lighting and plumbing as well as to paint several walls. Medical supplies and equipment were also purchased,...

CJTF-7 Public AffairsBAGHDAD, IraqRelease #040111bTF 1st AD soldiers encourage reporting of enemy BAGHDAD, Iraq – The 1st Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment (AIR), attached to 1st Armored Division’s 3rd Brigade Combat Team (BCT), conducted Operation Recruiter, a battalion-sized operation, in Baghdad’s Al Adil neighborhood Dec. 13 to encourage residents to offer information about enemy activity. Operation Recruiter was part of Task Force 1st Armored Division’s Operation Iron Justice. Al Adil was selected for the operation because of a recent spate of attacks on neighborhood advisory council members and translators in the area, said Lt. Col. Eric Nantz, 1-325 AIR commander....

CJTF-7 Public AffairsBAGHDAD, IraqRelease #040106cIraqi citizens provide information; soldiers confiscates weaponsTIKRIT, Iraq – Throughout Iraq citizens are showing determination and commitment by providing information to Coalition Forces that has led to the confiscation of numerous dangerous weapons and ammunition and the capture of former regime elements.  An Iraqi civilian provided information that led a patrol from 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment to a weapons cache near the Tikrit Civilian Hospital in the morning of Jan. 4. Soldiers located and discovered five 60-millimeter mortar rounds, 15 tank rounds, two rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) launchers and ten RPGs.  Another Iraqi citizen brought 1st...