Photo By Spc. Katrina Faulkner-Brown | Husam Abbas (center) escorts Gen. David Petraeus (right) and Lt. Col. Scott McKean...... read more read more
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Spc. Katrina Faulkner-Brown
4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division Public Affairs Office
FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY, Iraq — Gen. David Petraeus, the commanding general of Multi-National Forces – Iraq, who hails from Cornwall, N.Y., met with Patriot Brigade leaders June 11 and visited a water treatment facility in the 9 Nissan political district of eastern Baghdad.
During his visit to the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light), operational environment, Petraeus met with a director general of local municipalities and public works for the Al Ghadier area of 9 Nissan.
The Iraqi contractor who constructed the system and its tanks requested Petraeus turn the valve that allows unpurified water to flow into a tank. The water will undergo a purification process so local Iraqi citizens can have safe, clean water.
"The water treatment facility, and other such projects, reflects our sincere efforts not just to secure but to serve the Iraqi people – and that's why we're here," said Petraeus. "The water treatment plant is also a great example of wonderful initiative by our troopers and some skilled Iraqi workers and engineers – and initiative is a quality we always seek to encourage."
In addition, Petraeus met with Patriot Brigade leaders to solicit their comments and discuss their concerns. He said he enjoys talking with company commanders and noncommissioned officers concerning issues, obstacles and strategies affecting Soldiers in the fight and leaders of Soldiers who support kinetic operations.
"Company-level commissioned and non-commissioned officer leaders are the key leaders who turn the broad concepts and 'big ideas' of those above them into concrete actions on the ground," explained Petraeus. "They're invariably a great source of insights, lessons learned and advice for me.
"I always have sessions with leaders at that level during ... 'battlefield circulation,' and I always take actions back to the MNF-I staff after talking with them," continued Petraeus. "Beyond that, there's no greater source of energy and inspiration than our company-level leaders!"
Capt. Rodney Bilbrew, commander of Company C, Brigade Special Troops Battalion, from Jackson, Miss. was one of the Patriot Brigade company commanders who met with Petraeus at Forward Operating Base Loyalty. Bilbrew said ensuring his Soldiers are crossed trained is his biggest concern because Soldiers need "a multitude of skill sets" to accomplish the overall mission.
Petraeus said he heard similar comments from field officers before and it is an issue that should be addressed to higher echelons in the signal community, relayed Bilbrew.
While at FOB Loyalty, Petraeus took time to speak with district council leaders from the Rusafa, Karadah and 9 Nissan political districts here to learn about a new Civil Service District program. Petraeus acknowledged the accomplishments and contributions of Soldiers from three Patriot Brigade battalions – BSTB; 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment; and 3rd Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment.
"It's an honor and pleasure to recognize the excellence demonstrated by our Soldiers in Iraq," said Petraeus. "In fact, each of our Soldiers truly is an 'Army of One,' capable of being the most important person in the life of another human being at a critical point on the battlefield.
"I also believe that our young Soldiers have earned recognition as America's new greatest generation," continued Petraeus. "They are wonderful, and I want to ensure that they know I feel that way."
| Date Taken: | 06.22.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 06.22.2008 11:05 |
| Story ID: | 20745 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 308 |
| Downloads: | 170 |
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