Iraqi National Police, troops patrol Kahdra as violence continues to decrease

Photo By Staff Sgt. James Hunter | Iraqi National Policemen with the 1st Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 6th Iraqi National Police pull up to the curb outside an Iraqi all-boys school in Kahdra, Dec. 5. INP went to the school to talk with the students and teachers.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

12.17.2007

Story by Staff Sgt. James Hunter 

2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (AA) Public Affairs

By Sgt. James P. Hunter
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division

BAGHDAD- In Kahdra, troops with Company C, 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, working and living alongside Iraqi national police with the 1st Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 6th Iraqi National Police, keep in contact with the local citizens through patrols-both mounted and dismounted.

Whether handing out tip cards— which may help lead to the detention of an insurgent or the prevention of an attack—or just maintaining their good relationship with the citizens through small talk, face-to-face communication is vital.

"Tip cards have proven successful," said Spc. William Kelso, medic and native of Pasadena, Calif., with 2nd Platoon, Company C, 1-64th AR, attached to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). "Those tips have lead to a lot of (improvised explosive devices) and other known al-Qaida members. The cards and the interaction with the people are very important. It's a small step to giving Iraq back to the people."

Recently, the Soldiers of 2nd platoon picked up an al-Qaida leader responsible for trafficking IED-making material through Kahdra, said 1st Lt. James Gallagher, platoon leader and native of Royal Oak, Mich.

"For us to get out of here it's up to the people - by calling the tip line and watching their neighborhoods, letting us know if people are using abandoned houses. We see al-Qaida members moving in and out," said Sgt. Jerry Bond, team leader and native of Manchester, Iowa. "We've been able to successfully destroy caches because of that."

The proof these tip cards and the interaction with citizen's works can be seen by simply looking at the numbers. Violence has dropped 70 percent in Kahdra since 1-64 arrived in country, said Gallagher.

"The key to the insurgency is not just political or military, it's economical," said Gallagher. "If you look at before, when al-Qaida ran the Khadra, at around three o'clock businesses closed. People were scared to stay out late. Now that new (Iraqi police) run the station and have taken over security, business has just started to blossom. Right now its 8:15 (p.m.); you can still go out and the streets are still busy."

Just a few months ago they received tips that al-Qaida had insiders in the Iraqi police station, said Kelso.

"We got the go ahead from the (Minister of Interior) to take over the IP station and give control, at the time, to 2/2/5 (2nd Battalion, 2nd Brigade 5th Iraqi National Police). We helped them transition over," Kelso said. "Now 1-6-2 (1st Battalion, 6th Brigade, 2nd Iraqi National Police) and the volunteers man the IP station. Since then, violence has gone down in the area."

But these are all small steps, as American troops continue to train and mentor these Iraqi security forces, so one day; they can take control of the security measure themselves without the help of coalition forces.

Sometimes it's just a trust issue. Not just with corruption, but with competence.

"When the people of Iraq trust their own law enforcement enough, we can go," said Kelso. "They are the future to the success."

Iraqis are slowly, but surely, gaining that trust, said Kelso. Their ability to search and clear rooms is astonishing. They are not 100 percent dependable on U.S. troops, but having 1-64 troops there is almost like a security blanket.

"Turning over Iraq is not an issue of resources and assets, its leadership," said Gallagher. When you go out on missions you try to tell these guys as leaders how much they need to take control. You can tell who has strong leadership based on how well the mission goes."

There are days, Gallagher expresses, when missions are extremely successful. There are leaders within this battalion, 1st Bn. 2nd Bde. 6th Iraqi National Police, who are strong.

A first sergeant within the battalion is the perfect description of good leadership, said Gallagher. He is very strong as a leader, who takes charge and gives his guys a task, mission and purpose.

As the district strengthens, Kahdra can return to the beauty it once was, said Kelso. Already this can be seen. Business is blossoming, kids are playing in the street and everyone all around seems to be living a happier, safer life in Kahdra.

• Date Taken: 12.17.2007
• Date Posted: 12.17.2007 13:18
• Story ID: 14745
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ