CIVIL AFFAIRS, PATROLS MAKE IRAQ BETTER PLACE FOR RESIDENTS

	NEWS RELEASE HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND 7115 South Boundary Boulevard MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101 Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894

November 15, 2003
Release Number: 03-11-21

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CIVIL AFFAIRS, PATROLS MAKE IRAQ BETTER PLACE FOR RESIDENTS

AR RAMADI, IRAQ – The 82d Airborne Division also known as Task Force “All American” continued missions directed at stopping violence and improving the quality of life for Iraqi citizens. The soldiers continue to help the people of Iraq achieve peace and stability.

Task Force soldiers went on 166 patrols, 15 of which were joint patrols with members of the Iraqi Border Guard and Iraqi policemen. Multiple traffic checkpoints were established and one cordon and search mission was conducted over the last 24 hours. These operations resulted in the capture of 25 individuals for further questioning. There was one enemy combatant killed and one wounded due to these operations.

In these operations, Task Force soldiers confiscated 14 AK-47s, one sub-machine gun, several hand grenades, and many blasting caps.

Also, the third class of Iraqi Civil Defense Corps soldiers returned from graduation leave today, and will begin operating in the Hadithah area tomorrow.

Civil Affairs teams worked on multiple projects in the province directed at improving the quality of life for Iraqi citizens. Plans were finalized to renovate the Al Ta’ Amin Fire Station. The project will begin in 10 days and will take approximately 45 days to complete.

Also, teams met with local engineers regarding the water projects currently underway near Haditha. Plans are in place and are fully funded for the second phase of repairs that will help provide water to two residential areas in Hadithah, which will affect 76,000 residents. These important projects continue to build strong relations between coalition forces and the local citizens.

Soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division, the 1st Infantry Division, and 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment continue to carry out their missions to ensure that Iraq will continue to progress as a peaceful and stable country for its citizens.

...the third class of Iraqi Civil Defense Corps soldiers returned from graduation leave today, and will begin operating in the Hadithah area tomorrow.

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"Soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division, the 1st Infantry Division, and 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment continue to carry out their missions"...winning hearts and minds, Iraq-ization, ping!
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Task Force “All American” continued missions directed at stopping violence and improving the quality of life for Iraqi citizens.

Believe it or not, these really are legitimate military objectives. When the army took over Panama, the soldiers not only had to kill guys, they had to also direct traffic and fence off residential neighborhoods. It was not an easy time and I remember being very cranky at their interfering in my getting to work.

My heart goes out to them with their mission in Iraq. If they run into sourpusses like me over there, they'll have the additional burden of language and cultural differences..

When the army took over Panama, the soldiers not only had to kill guys, they had to also direct traffic and fence off residential neighborhoods.

That's probably a good analogy. I went to Panama a few years ago. We took a private tour, and the guides were pointing out the things the US military did.
The lead guide said "Noriega had to go. We hated the fact that we couldn't do it ourselves, and didn't help as much as we could have. But it's better now".

It would be nice if American tourists in Baghdad, say 5 years from now, could get a tour like that.

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