Photo By Tech. Sgt. Luke Thelen | U.S. Army Sgt. Keron Frazier (foreground) and other Soldiers with the 25th Special...... read more read more
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CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, TIKRIT, Iraq — The Al Sequor Iraqi police station, situated outside Contingency Operating Base Speicher, near Tikrit, Iraq, looks like any other building from the outside. Upon further examination, one will find the past, present and future uniquely intertwined behind four walls of mortar and stone.
The past is rooted in leaders like Lt. Col. Ghazi Hamad Goma'a, the Al Sequor police chief, a 26-year veteran who served his country through the Iran-Iraq War, Operation Iraqi Freedom and now partners with U.S. Forces through the Security Agreement transition and hand over of security responsibilities to Iraqi security forces.
The future is found in young men like Naji Hamad Goma'a, an Iraqi policeman and Ghazi's son. Dedicated, yet impressionable by the U.S. Soldiers he meets, Naji easily learns English, the latest dance moves and wears Western-style clothing. He is not only the future of the Iraqi police force, but the future of Iraq itself.
The present is captured on a daily basis during bilateral patrols with U.S. Soldiers, weekly security meetings with local leaders, and training events planned with security detachment Soldiers from the 25th Infantry Division Special Troops Battalion at COB Speicher. The security detachment recently organized a two-day range at the Al Sequor station, holding preliminary marksmanship and live-fire training for the Iraqi police.
During day one of the training, the IP were introduced to the characteristics of the M-240 bravo machine gun and the M-4 rifle. They learned safe handling of the weapons and fundamentals of marksmanship such as breathing, trigger squeeze, site alignment, site picture and steady positioning.
"Everyone has their own way of doing things and these guys are no different," said Sgt. Juan Reyes Jr., squad leader and native of Hutchinson, Kan. "It's like taking a Soldier and putting them through basic [training]. Initially, because you don't understand why the Army does things a certain way, you don't want to do it. That's what we are doing with the Iraqi police. As they understand why we teach techniques a certain way, they have become more professional."
Teaching policemen in another country is not an easy task, with language, cultural and organizational barriers to overcome. Soldiers from the security detachment worked through these obstacles for months, knowing that a little understanding is needed in order to successfully accomplish the mission.
According to Staff Sgt. Cameron Neal, the non-commissioned officer in charge of the event and native of Hesperia, Calif., the Soldiers are there to help the IP accept the techniques being taught, wait for feedback and learn from the experience.
"You learn to have more patience working people from two different worlds," Neal said. "Some of the Iraqi policemen have been soldiers in the Iraqi army, some have only been policemen, so we obviously do things differently."
Memorial Range was the site for the second day of training. Braving morning dust storms and thick winds, the Soldiers, coated in sand, tested their Iraqi students with stationary weapons and paper targets. The Iraqi policemen lined up with coaches to their left, ready to fight the elements and improve their scores.
Ghazi noticed a difference in how his policemen shot on the range, both physically and mentally.
"My policemen gain more confidence when shooting any weapon. This confidence was seen today with the targets because the shooting showed more accuracy," Ghazi said. "They will take this experience and have more confidence using their own weapon."
At the conclusion of the range, improvements were seen across the board for the Iraqi policemen. By following the guidance provided by their instructors, the IP improved their scores and learned better weapons handing, increased safety awareness and a greater respect for the Soldiers who trained them.
"They are always willing to teach and help us with things we do not know," said IP Lt. Hussein. "The Iraqi police must do everything in our power to help our people and our country. It is time to do the right thing and make our country stand instead of fall to terrorists."
After bottles of water were passed around and targets were scored, the IP joined in a birthday celebration for Staff Sgt. Shawn Aringdale, a native of Menominee Falls, Wis. As he was led to the middle of a circle, the only sound heard on Memorial Range over the desert wind was a chorus of IP and Soldiers singing a loud, obnoxious rendition of "Happy Birthday" complete with hand-clapping and laughter. Not only were the Soldiers taken by the gesture, they were surprised to hear the Iraqis sing the song in English so well — a sign that cultural and language barriers could be torn down after all.
Capt. Jeff Vargo, security detachment commander and native of Chemung, N.Y., says one word comes to mind when describing the Al Sequor Iraqi police — future.
"The Iraqi police are the future of Iraq at the lowest level in the villages, providing a security and peace that allows the people an opportunity to improve their situation," Vargo said. "It allows them to be farmers, seek better employment, develop their economy and improve their quality of life."
However the Al Sequor IP are viewed, one thing is certain - the past, present and future remain an integral part of its success.
The present is full of partnership and growing friendships built by the hard work and dedication from Soldiers of the security detachment. The past is a strong presence, rooted in Iraqi tradition and honored leadership. Its future remains bright, as Iraqi policemen work hard to protect the people they serve.
| Date Taken: | 07.20.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 07.21.2009 07:12 |
| Story ID: | 36609 |
| Location: | TIKRIT, IQ |
| Web Views: | 495 |
| Downloads: | 391 |
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