vol. 2 issue 51

Cover: A member of the Iraqi Public Order Division searches a man be-fore allowing him to proceed through a Baghdad polling site checkpoint during the Dec. 15 national election. Iraqi Security Forces took the lead in protecting voters.

U.S. Army photos; main photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Lorie Jewell

Dec. 17, 2005 Multi-National Security Transition Command—Iraq The Advisor 2

Vol. 2 Issue 51 Dec. 17, 2005

MNSTC-I

Commanding General

U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Martin E. Dempsey

Command Sergeant Major

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Ralph G. White

Public Affairs Officer

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Frederick Wellman

Deputy Public Affairs Officer U.S. Army Capt. Mark Jacobsen

Deputy Public Affairs Officer, Training

U.S. Army Master Sgt. Ryan Mosier

Operations NCO

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Paul Tuttle

Editor U.S. Army Sgt. Lorie Jewell

Journalist

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Mark Woodbury

CPATT Public Affairs Officer Ann Bertucci

The Advisor is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. Defense Department and

multinational partners.

Contents of this paper are not necessarily the official views of the U.S. government,

multinational partners or the U.S. Dept. of Defense. The editorial content of this publication is the responsibility of the Multi-National Security Transition Command - Iraq Public Affairs Office.

Direct questions and comments to:

[email protected]

MNSTC-I PAO APO AE 09316

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“In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved.”

— Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882-1945)

WASHINGTON – The new year is likely to include troop reductions in Iraq, but exactly how quickly those reductions will occur will be based on recommendations of U.S. command-ers there in conjunction with wishes of the new Iraqi government, according to U.S. Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld.

One day after Iraq's parliamentary elections, Rumsfeld said during a Dec. 16 Pentagon Channel interview it's too soon to know exactly what role that new government will want the United States to play.

Just as in the United States after an election, Iraq's new government is likely to take a few months to form, he said.

"They have to certify the vote, then seat the assembly," Rumsfeld said. Once the assembly organizes, it will select a president, deputy president and prime minister, who will select cabinet members to run the ministries.

"So it could take a couple of months," the secretary said. "That's not a long time, but in an environment that hos-tile, it is a long time."

The United States is anxious to see the process move forward as quickly as possible and takes particular inter-est in decisions regarding the minis-tries of defense and interior, he said.

Yet to be seen, Rumsfeld said, is what role the new Iraqi government will

want the United States military to play in its future.

He cited Afghanistan as a possible model, noting that the Afghan govern-ment has requested U.S. support in several areas. A strategic agreement between the two countries provides for U.S. operating sites in Bagram and Kandahar, U.S. help in training the Afghan National Army and counterter-rorism support along the Pakistan bor-der, where al Qaeda remains a threat, the secretary said.

"We'll see what happens in Iraq, to what extent they want some quick-reaction force assistance or some de-terrent with respect to their neighbors or training of their troops and then we would decide what is in our interest and what is in their interest," Rumsfeld said.

One thing's certain: The United States won't keep its forces where they're not wanted, he said.

While those decisions are being made, the United States anticipates drawing down its forces in Iraq fairly quickly to pre-election levels, the secretary said.

"We anticipate coming down from a high of 160,000 (in support of the elec-tions) to 137,000 sometime in January and as the seating of the new govern-ment takes place, Gen. (George) Ca-sey, (Multi-National Force commander in Iraq), and Gen. (John) Abizaid (U.S. Central Command commander), will make recommendations about how we might be able to further reduce Coali-tion forces," he said.

Rumsfeld: New Iraqi leaders will have say in troop levels By Donna Miles American Forces Press Service


BAGHDAD, Iraq – Just a few weeks after Iraqi’s Pub-lic Order Special Police force celebrated its first anni-versary they were proving their mettle in this week’s historic election. As millions of Iraqi citizens trekked to polling sites Dec. 15 to choose parliamentary leaders who will serve for the next four years, more than 7,000 members of three Public Order Divi-sion brigades provided security at 245 polling stations throughout southeast Baghdad – or about 30 percent of all sites in the capital. A fourth brigade supported the effort. Restrictions on vehicles, intended to reduce the threat of car bombs and other enemy activity, meant voters had to walk to polling stations. Large groups of citizens, many with entire families in tow, made their way along major thoroughfares. Children used the largely vacant roads to fly kites and play soccer. “It went nice and smooth, just like I expected,” Iraqi Maj. Gen. Mahdi, division commander, said toward the end of Election Day. “Everybody went to vote today.”

Mahdi and other division leaders spent the day traveling to polling sites to check on their men. The division also sent three evaluation teams out to observe and report to Ma-hdi throughout the day. Overall, violence was ab-sent from most election stations. A few attempts at disrupting voting at sites with Public Order forces were repelled by the Spe-cial Police. A local citizen described a possible car bomb to members of the 2nd Battalion, 4th Public Order Brigade. A patrol sent to investigate found the vehicle and disabled it

by shooting out the tires. They secured the area around the vehicle and called in an explosive ordnance disposal team, which removed the threat. Small arms fire near voting sites in Za’afaraniya and Dora sent patrols from the 1st Battalions of the 3rd and 4th Public Order Brigades in search of the sources. The gunfire had stopped before they arrived and searches of the areas did not produce any suspects. In another incident, special policemen with the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Public Order Brigade helped treat a citizen injured when four mortar rounds hit near a polling site in the Madein Dis-trict. No other injuries were reported. Coalition leaders working with the Public Order forces de-scribed their performance as impressive and encouraging. “The Iraqi people have gained confidence in their ability to take on an increasingly greater role in their country’s secu-rity,” said U.S. Army Col. Gordon Davis, commander of the Special Police Transition Team (SPTT) that works with the division. As units of Public Order policemen returned to base the night of the election, many broke out in songs and chants while dismounting from vehicles. “They’re proud of what they’ve done today and they recog-nize the significance of it,” Davis said. Since the November 2004 activation of the 1st Public Order Brigade, Davis and others believe the Iraqis have made sig-nificant strides in building their force and executing its mis-sion of protecting assigned areas of control from enemy forces. They are also responsible for restoring and maintain-ing public law and order and supporting other Iraqi Security Forces when necessary.

Members of the Iraqi Public Order Division carefully screen and search local residents heading to a southeast Baghdad poll to cast votes for parliamentary leaders. More than 70 percent of eligible voters showed up to vote, officials said. Photos by U.S. Army Sgt. Lorie Jewell

Public Order Special Police contribute to Election Day

success stories

See ‘Public Order’ Page 4

Public Order Division policemen keep watch atop a Baghdad polling site as children play and voters head inside.

By U.S. Army Sgt. Lorie Jewell MNSTC-I Public Affairs

The 2nd Public Order Brigade came online in January, followed by the 3rd Public Order Brigade in March and in May, the 4th Public Order Bri-gade. The division headquarters element was formed in July. Their men have deployed several times to work beside other Coalition and Iraqi forces in Fallujah, Ramadi and Salman Pak. They’ve participated in missions such as Opera-tion Al Zahar in Al Suyab, Operation Goodwill in Al Dora and Operation Liberated Walkers in Kar-bala. The Public Order’s performance in last month’s Operation Knockout in the Diyala Province was particularly impressive, Davis said. Raids netted some 377 detainees, 300 of whom were on Minis-try of Interior target lists. Other than one gunshot wound, there were no injuries to the Public Order policemen.

“It was their first major mission out-side of the Baghdad area with another division,” Davis said. “They demon-strated a high level of com-petence and showed they can develop intelligence,

target and coordinate operations.” Their most recent operation, a brigade-plus level raid in the southern Salah Din Province a week before the Dec. 15 election, was deemed an overall success – more than half of the targets were captured, putting a significant dent in the enemy’s network there. But the mission was not without casualties. One battalion was surrounded by an unexpectedly high number of enemy forces, who captured 16 Public Order policemen before the attackers were repelled with assistance from other Iraqi and Coalition forces responding with air and ground support. Six policemen were killed; 10 remain missing in action. Still, the SPTTs who live and work beside the policemen and

their leaders see progress in their abilities and determination to take control of their country’s security. The division is sup-ported by roughly 180 Soldiers from the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Air Force and Navy who are divided into 17 SPTTs assigned to each battalion, brigade and division element. The bulk of the current SPTTs have been working with the Public Order forces since April, focusing on training special policemen, coaching and mentoring leaders, equipping units and acting as liaisons with Coalition units the Public Order forces partner with for operations. “It’s been pretty amazing to see the difference they’ve made just since I got here,” said U.S. Army Master Sgt. Joseph Kaiser, a Rhode Island Reservist who serves as the divi-sion’s combat health services noncommissioned officer in charge. As a civilian, Kaiser has spent 19 years as a para-medic/fireman. Some of his responsibilities focus on providing health care to detainees at the division’s base camp. While detainee abuse by Ministry of Interior forces has been a highly-publicized issue of late, Kaiser said he has not seen signs of mistreat-ment by those guarding prisoners at the Public Order Divi-sion camp. Interrogators there have received training and mentoring by Coalition counterparts with the 3rd Infantry Di-

vision, he said. In addition, Ma-hdi, the division commander, has made it clear abuse will not be tolerated, Kaiser and Davis said. Mahdi provides open access to investigators and the media, they added. In the course of giving medical care, Kaiser develops cordial, if not friendly, bonds with detain-ees. When 104 men were


Public Order From Page 3

See ‘Public Order’ Page 5

Public Order Division forces manned polling sites in the days leading up to the Dec. 15 vote to ensure the safety of election workers. Photos by U.S. Army Sgt. Lorie Jewell

U.S. Army Col. Gordon Davis talks to Public Order Divi-sion policemen during a battlefield assessment the day before the election. The division is erecting guard towers along a Baghdad thoroughfare to reduce attacks.

Public Order Division Commander Iraqi Maj. Gen. Mahdi discusses security plans with division officers the day before the election.

released on the eve of the election, Kaiser was greeted with shouts of “Doc!” as he ap-proached the trucks loaded with detainees preparing for departure. Kaiser shook hands with several as he said his good-byes. One elderly man pulled him into a hug to thank him. “I hope you find your teeth,” Kaiser replied. Besides detainee operations, Davis and his teams are focused on three other areas in their interactions with Public Order leaders and policemen: command and control, intelli-gence sharing and individual and leader disci-pline. When it comes to discipline, one issue they see room for im-provement in is the proper wear of uniforms on duty. During a battlefield assessment the day before the election – and on Election Day as well – Davis found a number of policemen

not wearing their issued body armor and hel-mets, de-spite hav-ing it at their duty stations. He made on-the-spot corrections and brought it up with

commanders after returning to base. The recent creation of a Joint Operations Center at the base is boosting the division’s com-mand and control and intelli-gence sharing capabilities. The center is equipped with com-puters connected to both se-cured and unsecured networks, printers, digital telephones and a communications area with three voice systems, including a high-frequency network. Each brigade has been issued 90 hand-held radios to enable leaders to communicate with each other and the operations center. Two large plasma screens on a wall display computer-

generated battlefield tracking maps and activity reports in Arabic. Special policemen with computer skills have been assigned to the center and training is on-going for those who aren’t familiar with the technology. The center is manned 24 hours a day, seven days a week. “They still have a lot to learn about operating the center, but they’re getting there,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. John Shattuck, executive officer for the division’s SPTT. “They’re going from mid-20th century technology to the 21st century. But they’re gaining an appreciation for information management.” One area of the center features a display of those who have fallen in the line of duty. It includes framed photographs of four U.S. Soldiers – Sgt. 1st Class Michael Benson, Master Sgt. Tulsa Tuliau, Sgt. 1st Class Casey Howe and Lt. Col. Leon James II – killed in enemy attacks this year while serv-ing on SPTTs. Each photo is accompanied by a short biogra-phy written in Arabic. Mahdi is optimistic about the future of his Public Order forces, and Iraqi Security Forces as a whole. He plans to continue training and building the division with people of all

ethnicities and religious backgrounds. He also hopes to eventually add a unit of special police-women. With the success of the election, Mahdi be-lieves terrorism will de-crease and the union be-tween Sunnis and Shiites will grow as the new politi-cal body takes control. “This is a concrete day to start our way to democ-racy,” Mahdi said, through an interpreter. “Without this, nothing will happen in the future of Iraq.”


Public Order From Page 4

As Iraqi citizens streamed in and out of a Baghdad polling site, Public Order Division and other Iraqi forces stood by, guarding the site and searching voters. Photos by U.S. Army Sgt. Lorie Jewell

In the division’s new Joint Operations Center, a young spe-cial policeman works on a briefing report for the division commander.

Iraqi voters smile as they leave a Baghdad polling site, while an elderly man shows off an ink-stained finger as he waves to passing Coalition troops.


Exercises test Air Force squadron’s independence

BAGHDAD, Iraq – For the third time in as many months, the Iraqi Air Force’s 23rd Transport Squadron deployed from Ali Base to New Al Muthana Air Base at Baghdad International Airport. New Al Muthana Air Base is the future home of the squad-ron’s aircrew, maintenance and support personnel. The squadron flies the C-130E Hercules and has been training with Coalition Advisory Support Team personnel since January 2005. The series of deployments, known as Exercise Independent Action, was designed to test the squadron’s ability to oper-ate independently of its Coalition sister squadron, the 777th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron. The exercise also tested the ability of New Al Muthana Air Base to successfully handle

flying operations and life support requirements. The exercise began with the deployment of 106 personnel from Ali Base in southern Iraq to New Al Muthana, along with ground support equip-ment and aircraft parts. After the Aerial Port per-sonnel downloaded the aircraft, the maintenance personnel began prepar-ing the aircraft for the next day’s missions. Operations personnel received validated mis-sion requests from the Iraqi Headquarters Joint Operations Center (JOC) and began assigning

crews and gathering necessary data for mission planning. For the third and most recent exercise, Coalition advisers remained at Ali Base to play the role of a Coalition partner requesting Iraqi Air Force C-130 support, through the Coali-tion Air Operations Center. The Iraqi Joint Movement Re-quests sought to move Coalition cargo between various bases in Iraq to help Coalition efforts in the fight against insurgents. The squadron flew nine missions with 117 passengers and 106,000 pounds of cargo during the five-day exercise. The Iraqi Air Force personnel installed a Harris Radio and antenna at the base headquarters building during the exer-cise. The Harris Radio, currently being fielded at each Iraqi Air Base, will provide secure encrypted voice and data com-munications between Iraqi Air Force units, the headquarters and the Joint Operations Center. The team that installed and tested the radio system also trained base and squad-ron personnel to use it. The squadron will move to New Al Muthana Air Base when it officially opens for business in January.

By U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Herb Phillips MNSTC-I CAFTT

A 23rd Squadron crew chief reviews aircraft forms during the latest Inde-pendent Action exercise.

A Coalition advisor evaluates 23rd Squadron maintainers preparing a C-130E for flight during the latest Independent Action exercise.

Photos by U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Herb Phillips

TAJI, Iraq – Iraqi Air Force helicopter pilots here recently received life sup-port training from a fellow Iraqi Air Force pilot and a Coalition advisor from the 23rd Squadron at Ali Base. Iraqi Warrant Officer Ahmed and advi-sor U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt. Jim Bussa

traveled to Taji to train pilots with the 2nd and 12th Squadrons. Ahmed taught them how to build SRU-21P sur-vival vests, with students producing enough for all 30 pilots to have one. Ahmed also showed them how to wear it and use the equipment it holds, pay-ing particular attention to the PRC-90 survival radio. Training by Ahmed and Bussa was coordinated by U.S. Air Force Cpt.

Russ Cook, a UH-1H instructor pilot and Coalition advisor with the Taji-based squadrons. By giving the train-ing, Ahmed earned certification as a life support instructor.

By U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. John Bukowinski MNSTC-I CAFTT

Iraqi Air Force pilot shares life support knowledge with fellow Iraqi pilots

A 23rd Squadron pilot gives a class on a survival radio. Photo by U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. John Bukowinski

BAGHDAD, Iraq – An Iraqi Police officer on the scene of a double suicide bombing at a police academy Dec. 6 said the horrific attack only makes him more resolved to secure his country against terrorism. Iraqi Cpt. Essam, a police officer who works at the Baghdad Police Academy in east Baghdad, was among the eyewit-nesses who saw two male suicide bombers detonate them-selves in the midst of students. Early reports indicated at least 28 Iraqi Police officers and academy students were killed and 59 others were wounded. One U.S. contractor was also wounded in the terrorist at-tack. There were no U.S. military casualties. “I was eating lunch when I heard a massive explosion,” Es-sam said. “I stopped eating and ran outside.” The first explosion happened about 200 meters from the mess hall. Officials estimate 19 men and women were killed in the first blast and many others were injured. “Students were running toward me,” Essam said a couple of hours after the attack. “I ran toward where the bomb went

off. Teachers and some students were trying to direct stu-dents to go into bunkers for safety.” Thinking the explosion was an indirect-fire attack, officers and students fled to bunkers for shelter. When the bunker filled with people, the second suicide bomber walked into the entrance of the cement bunker and blew up, Essam said. Iraqi Police and police candidates from other areas of the academy ran to the scene to help in any way they could and to evacuate the wounded. Two Task Force Baghdad heli-copters landed nearby to evacuate wounded as well. Essam said the first suicide bomber detonated himself as many of the student police candidates were outside on a break. They found the body of the terrorist among the police officer candidates. His detonator was still with him. The Baghdad Police Academy is a very secure site, he noted. People and vehicles that enter the base are checked numerous times. The Ministry of Interior is conducting an investigation to discover how the suicide bombers managed to get their explosives-laden vests through security. More than 13,000 Iraqi Police graduated from the academy this year. Essam is confident the Iraqi police students will return. “We are Iraqi – nothing and no one is going to stop us.”


AN NUMANIYAH, Iraq – A recent se-curity operation by members of the 3rd Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division – also known as the Warrior Brigade – in-cluded a stop at a small school to hand out donated school supplies to stu-dents. Brigade soldiers delivered more than 300 pounds of supplies to the Wasit Province school, including pencils, pens, paper, notebooks and crayons. Churches, schools and private compa-nies in the United States sent the do-nations to the brigade’s Military Transi-tion Team (MiTT), which is assisting the brigade’s Operation Adopt-A-School effort. Brigade Commander Iraqi Col. Rah-man and his soldiers have been deliv-ering school supplies to schools in the area of An Numaniyah Military Training Base for several months in an effort to

enhance relations with local citizens. While the brigade conducts regular security missions, Rahman believes “there is always time to support the local community as well.” Coalition MiTT advisers assisted bri-gade soldiers with the delivery. “There was no shortage of volunteers for this mission,” said U.S. Army Mas-ter Sgt. Darren Williams, the MiTT’s noncommissioned officer in charge. “We always enjoy going out and meet-ing the people and especially the chil-dren.” Warrior Brigade soldiers continued with their security mission after shaking hands and exchanging good-byes with the children. “The future of Iraq rests with its chil-dren and we are happy to do our part helping them out,” said one MiTT advi-sor.

Warrior Brigade helps students while providing security By U.S. Army Lt. Col. Jeff C. Lamb 3rd Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division MiTT

Warrior Brigade commander Iraqi Col. Rahman hands out supplies to children (above), while Coalition advisors pose for a photo with a group of students (below). Photos by U.S. Army Lt. Col. Jeff C. Lamb

Iraqi Police officer describes horror of suicide bomb attack By U.S. Army Maj. Russ Goemaere 2nd Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs

Police restore order at protest AD DAWR – Iraqi Police responded to a protest that tempo-rarily closed a polling site 25 kilometers northeast of Ad Dawr Dec.15. The demonstrators were upset about non-local workers being hired to work at the polling site. The police were able to resolve the protest peacefully and help reopen the polling site about an hour after the morning call came in. No injuries or damages were reported. Soldiers tipped off to bomb BALAD – Iraqi soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 4th Iraqi Army Division were tipped off to the location of a bomb on a road leading to a polling site Dec. 14. The bomb was buried in the northbound lane and con-sisted of a propane tank with 50 pounds of plastic explosives and rocket propellant. An explosive ordnance team responded to the site and was approximately 200 meters south of the bomb when it detonated. Border Police detain smugglers NINAWA PROVINCE – Iraqi Border Police detained four individuals trying to smuggle 137 cases of cigarettes across the Iraqi border Dec. 14. The suspects were detained pend-ing further investigation by authorities. Soldiers detain two with mortars AD DAWR –Troops from the 1st Brigade, 1st Battalion, 4th Iraqi Army Division detained two suspects after finding four mortar rounds during a vehicle search north of Ad Dawr Dec. 14. The soldiers became suspicious of the white Volkswagen during a patrol of the area. The troops stopped and searched the vehicle and found the mortar rounds. The sus-pects were detained pending further investigation by authori-ties.

Soldiers find cache hidden in cave HUSAYBAH – Iraqi Army and Coalition forces uncovered a cache hidden in a cave north of Husaybah Dec. 13. Troops found a rocket-propelled grenade system, eight rockets, two cases of small machine gun ammunition and an extra machine gun barrel. Mattresses and other items sug-gested the cave was used as an insurgent safe house. The cache was destroyed in place and the weapons were turned over to authorities. Window jumper nabbed by troops RAWAH – Iraqi Army and Coalition troops detained a man who attempted to evade a cordon and search operation by jumping from a two-story window Dec. 12. Soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 7th Iraqi

Army Division and Coalition troops were screening several persons of interest when they observed the suspect leaping from a building window in an effort to evade questioning. The soldiers promptly collared the man. The rest of the potential detainees were released and the jumper was de-tained for further questioning by authorities.

Police detain bombers AN NAJAF – Iraqi Police officers arrested five people trans-porting a bomb in their vehicle Dec. 12. When police officers stopped the car at a checkpoint, one of the passengers jumped out and attempted to escape. The suspect was caught and the rest of the car’s occupants were arrested after further investigation produced a concealed explosive device. The bomb consisted of a 60 mm mortar round, TNT and plastic explosive contained in a metal box. An explosive ordnance disposal team took custody of the bomb and the detainees were turned over to the Najaf Police anti-crime unit for processing and further investigation. Soldiers seize weapons BAGHDAD – Iraqi soldiers discovered a bomb-making facil-ity and a weapons cache during a search of west Baghdad Dec. 12. Acting on a tip from an Iraqi citizen, soldiers from the 1st Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division and Coalition forces went to investigate the site. They found a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, a home-made grenade launcher, one 152 mm artillery round, three 107 mm artil-lery rounds, 25 120 mm artillery rounds, one 62 mm mortar round, 13 RPG rounds, two RPG fuses, three hand grenades, two crater charges, six sticks of C4 plastic explosive, a sniper rifle, one RPK machine gun, a stun gun, hundreds of feet of detonation cord, more than a dozen timing de-vices and assorted terrorist propaganda. Iraqi soldiers re-covered the items and cleared the site. (1st Brigade, 10th Mountain Division Public Affairs)


Iraqi Security Forces / In Brief

Iraqi forces prevent attacks BAGHDAD – Iraqi Security Forces and Task Force Baghdad Soldiers continued to pursue terrorists in east Baghdad Dec. 12. Elements of the 3rd Public Order Brigade in Salman Pak discovered a roadside bomb hidden in the carcass of a dog after receiving a tip from a local citizen. The POB forces se-cured the scene until an Iraqi Police explosive ordnance dis-posal team arrived and destroyed the improvised explosive device with a controlled detonation. Iraqi Army soldiers responded to the scene of an at-tempted car bomb attack later that day. The suicide car bomber missed his target, an Iraqi Police patrol, but wounded five Iraqi civilians. Iraqi Police officers and soldiers secured the site and evacuated the wounded to a local hos-pital. (2nd Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs)

Soldiers nail would-be kidnapper DIYALA – Soldiers captured a suspect believed to be in-volved with a failed kidnapping of an Iraqi civilian and confis-cated an 82 mm mortar system during a raid Dec. 11. Troops from the 1st Brigade, 2nd Battalion, 5th Iraqi Army Division handed the suspect and cache over to authorities pending further investigation.

Soldiers snare enemy forces HILLAH – Iraqi Police and Coalition forces captured 11 sus-pects during a Dec. 11 search for enemy forces believed responsible for area bomb and mortar attacks. The detainees include a man suspected of leading a local insurgent group and suspected members of an enemy cell.

Troops bag cache in Fallujah FALLUJAH – Iraqi Army troops found and seized a weapons cache in Fallujah Dec. 10. Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 4th Brigade, 1st Iraqi Inter-

vention Force dis-covered the stash of 34 assorted rocket-propelled grenades and mortar rounds, two 81 mm illumi-nation rounds and a box of deto-nators. The items were in poor condition and were gath-ered up for

later disposal.

Raid nets five suspects BAGHDAD – Iraqi Army and Coalition forces conducted a raid to capture suspected enemy forces operating in the Al Kuwaiti neighborhood Dec. 10. Five individuals were captured during the raid, including the leader of a group thought to be responsible for attacks against Iraqi and Coalition forces. Two AK-47s and several counterfeit Iraqi dinar were con-fiscated during the raid.

Soldiers recover weapons, bombs BAGHDAD – Iraqi Army soldiers discovered multiple weap-ons caches at a site suspected of being a terrorist restocking location south of Baghdad Dec. 10. During a routine garbage pickup and patrol, soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division noticed a number of tank-fighting positions near their forward operat-ing base. Upon investigation, soldiers found several large weapons caches on a route traveled daily by local residents. After searching one position, the soldiers moved on to an-other tank-fighting position and found another cache. The searches produced weapons, bombs, mortars and miscella-neous explosives including 186 stripped tank rounds, six complete tank rounds, eight 120 mm mortars, 107 50-caliber rounds, 66 tank grenades and 35 primers and fuses. An explosive ordnance disposal team destroyed the stock-pile in a controlled detonation. (2nd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division Public Affairs)

Alleged sniper caught HIT – Iraqi Army troops detained a suspected sniper Dec. 9 believed responsible for killing an Iraqi soldier in an earlier attack. Troops from the 1st Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 7th Iraqi Army Division apprehended the man after he was identified by soldiers. The suspect was turned over to authorities for fur-ther investigation. Ambush cleared, terrorists killed BAGHDAD – Iraqi Army troops killed one terrorist, captured two others and cleared three improvised explosive devices after being ambushed enroute to a local mosque Dec. 9. Troops from the 4th Battalion, 1st Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division sealed off and cleared the mosque and surrounding area with two companies, killing one terrorist and capturing two others. A total of three IEDs were found and cleared, one of which was a 155 mm artillery round hidden behind the mosque in a shelter type structure. No injuries or damages were sustained by the soldiers and the detainees were turned over to authorities pending further investigation.


Iraqi Security Forces / In Brief

MSGT Mark Baker


Election Day security preparations

• Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) conducted 450 independent operations in November, an 80 percent increase over 259 independent opera-tions in August. • There are now more than 216,000 ISF members – 113,000 Ministry of Interior, 103,000 Ministry of Defense. This is an in-crease of 80,000 since the January election. Election Day facts

• More than 15.5 million Iraqis registered to vote. • There were nearly 40,000 voting sites across Iraq. • There were 154 polling sites in Ramadi, a predominately Sunni city. • More than 110,000 ISF members who were away from their home polling stations voted Dec. 12. • Out-of-country voting was available in 15 different nations.

Iraqi soldiers proudly display ink-stained fingers after casting their votes Dec.12 (far left). An Iraqi Police Officer pulls security outside a polling site Dec. 15 (above). An Iraqi Police officer-provides roadside security while a con-voy of Coalition and Iraqi forces prepare to escort ballots and to polls (left). Iraqi Sol-diers wait their turn in line at a polling sta-tion Dec. 12 (below).

U.S. Army photos

vol. 2 issue 51

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