An Interview with Colonel Davis

The Fourth Rail ^ | 10/30/05 | Bill Roggio

[bnelson44]

Late Friday I conducted an interview with Colonel Stephen W. Davis, the Commander of Marine Regimental Combat Team - 2, who is responsible for fighting in western Anbar province, also known as AO Denver. Col. Davis made himself available for a phone interview via phone, and I appreciate his patience with communications problems (between the the cell and satellite phone it was quite a challenge).

Bill: StrategyPage.com recently reported on the creation of the Desert Protect Force to patrol the Syrian border, which is comprised of local tribal groups. Is this accurate? And if so, are is it working closely with U.S. and Iraqi military and police?

Col Davis: The information on the creation of the Desert Protect Force is accurate. Coalition forces are working to reach out to the tribal groups to provide for security and enlist new members in the Iraqi Army. Currently there are no Iraqi police units in the AO at this time. Since June, there are an increasing number of Iraqi Army brigades being incorporated into the fight in the RCT-2's area of operation as well. The Iraqi troops are magnificent in their initiative, courage, determination, will to fight and their knowledge of the culture and language is instrumental to establishing security in the region.

Bill: The city of Ramadi appears to be a trouble spot in Anbar. While Ramadi is out of your area of operations, but do you think River gate and Iron Fist have had an impact on the flow of foreign fighters to the city?

Col Davis: Ramadi is an important city as it is the provincial capitol of Anbar province and the largest city in the region. Prior operations up to and including River Gate and Iron Fist have absolutely had ...

[p[adre29]

You will not hear that story anywhere in the MSM. That story
and interview actually sounds like progress is being made
and we cannot have that being reported.

[Bobibutu]

"You will not hear that story anywhere in the MSM. That story
and interview actually sounds like progress is being made
and we cannot have that being reported."

Roggio has been invited to travel to Iraq and embed with RCT-2 in Anbar province - he could use a little financial assistance in securing his family here, getting over there and getting this kind of word out.