Photo By Sophia Klevemann | Col. Thomas James, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, commander, Maj....... read more read more
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By Spc. Sophia R. Lopez
4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division
CAMP VICTORY, Iraq – Iraqi army, Iraqi police and coalition leaders met to discuss the security of Babil province at the 31st IA Brigade headquarters in al-Hillah Nov. 11.
Maj. Gen. Fadhil, the police chief of Babil province; Brig. Gen. Abdul Amir, the 31st Brigade, 8th IA Division commander; Col. Thomas James, the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Div. commander; and battalion commanders from both brigades discussed issues such as the transition of battle space from 4th BCT to the 172nd Inf. Bde. under Col. Jeffery Sinclair, key developments in the area and the cooperation of coalition forces with IA to remedy criminal issues.
"One of the key pieces we see in the security of Babil province is establishing sustainable security with Iraqi security forces," said James, of Greenville, S.C. "There is no doubt in my mind we have achieved security and will sustain the security of Babil province for this foreseeable future because of the great work by the 31st Iraqi Army Brigade."
"As I mentioned to Col. James earlier today, this meeting is very important to us," said Amir. "During our work together, we achieved a lot of goals."
On their own, the 31st Bde. has accomplished much. They recovered caches, detained noted criminals, and their intelligence tracked sources of funds and weapons flow to criminal groups.
James said he would like to see a combined operations center formed, so the IA and CF are connected in executing missions on a daily basis. Currently, the 3rd Battalion, 7th Inf. Regiment and the 31st Bde. are conducting combined targeting meetings.
"We have future plans to execute more operations, also future plans to open more control bases together," said Amir. "The Iraqi forces cannot do it by itself. The coalition forces cannot do it by itself. We have to do it together. Our work together will sustain the security situation and stability in Babil province."
The group coordinated their targeting efforts, determined possible threats, assessed those threats and decided how to execute operations based on the available intelligence.
Intelligence shows operations conducted in the 31st Bde.'s area of operation is disrupting the enemy significantly, making it harder for them to work effectively, said the IP intelligence officer. Scattered cells cannot be allowed to regroup. So the IPs are gathering more information to share with the 31st Bde. in order to stop it.
"Overall, the situation is stable. Militia and al-Qaeda are disrupted," said Maj. Sam Martirosian, intelligence officer for 4th BCT. "I attribute it to a very professional police force and a very professional army force."
The IA also plans to open more checkpoints.
This is something the people have been asking for, said Lt. Col. Timothy Newsome, 3-7th Inf. Regt. commander.
The IA are receptive to the needs of the local population.
"A big step forward was when Fadhil sent out the lieutenant and the 11 IPs that are living at the entrance control point at Patrol Base Kelsey because those IPs now are getting out and patrolling, and the citizens love it. They take it as an indicator of progress forward," said Newsome, of Homerville, Ga. "They are comfortable talking with coalition forces, comfortable talking with ... the Iraqi army, but they are much more comfortable talking and engaging with the IPs who are primarily from their area."
Local citizens ask for continued patrolling, so they are secure in the feeling the law is being enforced, said Amir. The people want stability and security, he added.
| Date Taken: | 11.17.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 11.17.2008 06:40 |
| Story ID: | 26421 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 246 |
| Downloads: | 199 |
This work, Iraqi army, Iraqi police, U.S. commanders discuss security of Babil, by Sophia Klevemann, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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