Commanders assess security in Mada'in Qada

Photo By Pfc. Michael Schuch | Maj. Gen. Jassem Nazal Qassim, commanding general of the 9th IA Division, discusses support for the Iraqi security forces in the Mada'in Qada during a meeting July 8 at Forward Operating Base Hammer.  

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, IRAQ

07.11.2008

Story by Pfc. Michael Schuch 

2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division

By Pfc. Michael Schuch
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Public Affairs Office

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq – The commander of the 9th Iraqi army division and leaders from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, met to assess the security of the Mada'in Qada region, July 8.

Maj. Gen. Jassem Nazal Qassim, commanding general of the 9th IA Div., shared concepts for further increasing the Iraqi security force's security capabilities in the Mada'in Qada with Col. Pat White, commander of the 2nd BCT, 1st Armd. Div.

"No matter the operation, (the Iraqi security forces) are capable of providing the necessary forces," said Qassim. "For any needs that arise, we are ready."

Qassim also discussed terrorism and extremist activity in the qada, and compared previous years to the current state of the Mada'in.

"When coalition forces came to the Mada'in Qada, terrorism covered much of the qada," Qassim said. "Now, because of the joint efforts of coalition and ISF, it has dropped significantly."

White, of Apple Valley, Calif., explained to Qassim that he would like to implement weigh stations in the Mada'in, much like those that are in use on highways in the United States.

"By doing this, we will be able to monitor shipments entering the qada by creating a station the trucks must stop at to be weighed, scanned and possibly searched to ensure that nothing is entering that shouldn't," White said.

The leaders see continuing success in the cooperative efforts between ISF and coalition forces.

"ISF performing and leading operations are becoming a common occurance," said Qassim. "Nearly all planning and operations are being done by ISF with support from coalition forces. With our cooperation, we can continue to work toward our shared goal to get terrorism out of the Mada'in."

• Date Taken: 07.11.2008
• Date Posted: 07.11.2008 04:35
• Story ID: 21377
• Location: FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, IQ