Photo By Sgt. Robert M. England | First Lt. John Powell, platoon leader, 3rd Platoon, Headquarters and Headquarters...... read more read more
Subscribe
FORWARD OPERATING BASE WARHORSE, Iraq – U.S. Army soldiers in full gear gather around the tailgate of a Stryker vehicle parked in a linear formation with three other vehicles.
The roar of turbine engines and spinning blades drowns out all other sound as two UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters take flight nearby. While combat operations have concluded, evidence is visible that American troops are still very much “here.”
Soldiers from 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, “Warriors,” 25th Infantry Division, deployed to U.S. Division-North, transitioned from combat operations to an advisory role Sept. 1, 2010.
The conclusion of Operation Iraqi Freedom ushered in the beginning of Operation New Dawn, signifying a new era for Iraq in terms of security, governance and its position as a strategic U.S. partner.
Col. Malcolm Frost, brigade commander of 2nd AAB, 25th Infantry Division, reflected on the progress Iraqi Security Forces and local provincial governing councils have made in the 100 days since the beginning of Operation New Dawn.
“Iraqi Army and police forces continue to gain in confidence and capability, while enemy influence and impact diminishes,” he said. “Local and provincial governments continue to develop and hone effective political and economic systems to support the people.”
Despite the name change to operations in Iraq, the primary objective for U.S. forces remained the same: return Iraq to a state of sovereignty capable of providing security and stability for the people of Iraq.
The change to U.S. forces’ role in Iraq instead came in the primary methods of accomplishing their goals.
Since the beginning of OND, Warrior Brigade soldiers participated in missions across northern Iraq in a supporting role for Iraqi Army, Iraqi Police and Kurdish Peshmerga .
Iraqi security forces constitute the driving force for all missions since OND kicked off Sept. 1, 2010 from the planning stages before an operation through the after action report conducted upon returning from each mission.
“Crime and insurgent attack rates are at eight-year lows and continue to trend downward as the police develop crime scene management and forensic capabilities, and sharpen their means to conduct counter-terror operations,” Frost said. “Nearly all of this is done routinely each day by the Iraqis with only minor U.S. assistance.”
In order to adequately prepare the ISF to assume complete responsibility for security in their provinces, Warrior Brigade soldiers conducted extensive training with IPs and IA soldiers. The 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, “Gimlets,” 2nd AAB, 25th Infantry Division, conducted 68 partnered training events with IA and IP in the southern Diyala province, focusing on infantry maneuvers at the platoon, squad and fire team levels.
Throughout the month of October and into November, Gimlet soldiers provided training to IA soldiers on infantry tactics in a densely vegetated environment. This training came at the request of senior ranking IA officers in response to an incident in September in which IA soldiers, adept at urban operations, were attacked by an insurgent group in a palm grove.
In addition, Gimlet soldiers trained their Iraqi counterparts on battlefield first responder tactics, allowing the IA and IP to administer immediate medical treatment when necessary.
“During our first 100 days, the Gimlets rapidly adjusted to the unique demands of stability operations in the Diyala province,” said Lt. Col. Robert Molinari, the battalion commander for 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 2nd AAB, 25th Infantry Division. “The soldiers successfully supported numerous Stability Transition Teams while simultaneously partnering with Iraqi Army and Police units to improve efforts through training the Iraqi Commando Battalion. Successful completion of numerous civil capacity commitments to the local population resulted in continuing the momentum of U.S. efforts in Diyala and maintaining our strategic partnership with the Iraqi people and leaders.”
The 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, “Wolfhounds,” 2nd AAB, 25th Infantry Division, responsible for assisting ISF in the Salah ad Din province, have noted that the ISF in Salah ad Din are independently conducting more than 80 percent of operations against violent extremists, clearly indicating a shift from operations led by U.S. forces throughout the majority of the OIF campaign.
“The Iraqi security forces have made tremendous progress during that time from what I’ve seen,” said Lt. Col. Donald Brown, battalion commander, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 2nd AAB, 25th Infantry Division, noting changes he has witnessed from previous deployments during 2005-2007. “It’s putting the mechanics in place for the various Iraqi security forces and the intelligence agencies to synchronize their efforts and share that intelligence in a transparent manner. The Iraqi security forces are strong enough and competent enough that they see themselves as capable of taking this fight to al-Qaida.”
Soldiers of 2nd Battalion, 11th Field Artillery Regiment, “On Time,” 2nd AAB, 25th Infantry Division, provided their IA counterparts with intelligence support for unilateral missions, empowering ISF to lead security operations resulting in the capture of multiple extremist leaders and criminals. In addition to a heightened aggressiveness by IA soldiers toward violent extremist groups, the operations correlated with a decrease in insurgent activity in the area.
“The ISF’s ability to execute counter-terrorism operations has been a pleasant surprise,” said Maj. John Herrman, the operations officer for Task Force 211. “Through the ISF’s actions, they are able to project a message to the Iraqi populace of security and stability that will endure well into the future. We have seen a positive impact through their actions.”
Another indication of change in Iraq can be found in the Kurd-Arab relationship, especially in the Diyala province. The 2nd Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, “Strykehorse,” 2nd AAB, continue to work with Iraqi Army and Kurdish Regional Guard soldiers at checkpoints across the province. The collaborative tripartite effort focused on inspecting vehicles for weapons trafficking and materials used to make explosive devices in order to deny insurgents the means to stage attacks.
In addition, there are three bilateral checkpoints consisting solely of IA and KRG soldiers that continue to operate without incident, demonstrating unification between Kurd and Arab security forces under the common goal of increased security for the people of Iraq.
“Over the past three months we’ve seen the Iraqi Army Brigade and the Peshmerga Brigade in the Diyala Combined Security Area work closely together, improving their capacity for planning and conducting combined operations,” said Lt. Col. James Isenhower, III, squadron commander, 2nd Squadron,14th Cav. Regiment, 2nd AAB, 25th Infantry Division. “Kurds and Arabs are working hand-in-hand to continue the marked improvements in security in northern Diyala. Often, they conduct operations without U.S. forces present, another clear indicator of their cooperation and combined ownership of security obligations in this region.”
Increased security has a more substantial impact than just safer streets for Iraqi citizens. The security increases enable U.S. Division-North’s Provincial Reconstruction Teams to coordinate with local Iraqi government officials to establish long-term goals and determine areas of Iraqi infrastructure requiring immediate action. The PRTs issued a series of microgrants, breathing new life into local economies by funding the rebuilding of shops within marketplaces and giving local shoppers and shop owners a renovated bank for added commerce stability.
“Recently the provincial councils have started to execute their own budgets and forecast projects to help their own people,” said Lt. Col. Eric Schourek, the Task Force Stability officer in charge for 2nd AAB. “Specifically, the Provincial Director Generals of Essential Services have asked the U.S. forces for no more assistance on water or education projects. The provincial directors have completed a five-year plan for new projects and up-keep of current projects.”
Since the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, U.S. soldiers have worked to establish operating sites throughout Iraq, building forward operating bases and contingency operating posts outfitted as individual and complex command posts complete with logistical, tactical and life support equipment and amenities necessary to maintain mission readiness and combat effectiveness.
As the timeline progresses toward the scheduled withdrawal of all American forces from Iraq, the focus has shifted from full-scale combat operations to advising, training, assisting and equipping Iraqi security forces, and removing the seemingly endless supply of military equipment. Items deemed unnecessary for future operations are either relocated, transferred or disposed of, leaving only mission-essential equipment.
In addition to unused equipment, entire bases have been shut down or turned over to Iraqi forces thanks to the diligence of U.S. forces. Soldiers dedicated countless hours, working through the night to ensure deadlines for base closures would be met. These operating facilities have been established over time that spanned several years in many cases.
In contrast, some of these bases were given strict timelines of no more than a couple months to either be turned over to Iraqi forces or closed altogether.
Nov. 21, 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment., 2nd AAB, 25th Infantry Division, transitioned control of FOB Khamees in the Diyala province to the 5th Iraqi Army Division. Similarly, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment transferred the U.S. portion of the Provincial Joint Coordination Center in the Salah ad Din province to Iraqi police Nov. 5.
Also within the first 100 days of OND, Task Force 225 Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd AAB, initiated Operation Warhorse Sunset, a clean-up program designed to clear the base of any equipment not contributing to the 2nd AAB mission.
“It is phenomenal that while our soldiers continue to execute the largest sustainment operation across three provinces since the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom … we have concurrently been able to amass resources to facilitate complex operations like FOB clean-ups and partnership training,” said Lt. Col. Scott Murray, battalion commander, Task Force 225 BSB, 2nd AAB, 25th Infantry Division.
In many ways, the Warrior brigade has demonstrated its commitment to seeing its mission through to a successful completion, supporting Iraqi government and military goals through advice and training as requested.
The success of Operation New Dawn is reflected by an increasingly bright future for the people of Iraq, even after American troops have returned home, said Frost.
“In the first 100 days of Operation New Dawn, we have seen tragedy and challenges overcome by incredible progress by Iraqis in the complex environments of Salah ad Din and Diyala provinces,” Frost said. “While clouds will pass from time to time and challenges remain, I am confident the sun’s rays will shine through if we stay committed with our eyes on the eastern horizon and the promise of a new dawn for Iraq.”
| Date Taken: | 09.01.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 12.10.2010 02:42 |
| Story ID: | 61669 |
| Location: | FORWARD OPERATING BASE WARHORSE,, IQ |
| Web Views: | 450 |
| Downloads: | 7 |
This work, First 100 days show challenges met with success, by SGT Robert M. England, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
