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MOSUL, Iraq — The senior commander for U.S. forces in Ninewah province and the command sergeant major toured the edge of the province, Aug. 17, to get an overview of the region in preparation for assuming responsibility of the area from the Marines in the coming weeks.
Col. Gary Volesky, commander, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division and Command Sgt. Maj. James Pippin, brigade command sergeant major along with several brigade staff officers, conducted a three-stop introduction and information gathering mission for key areas in western Ninewah to gain situational awareness and an appreciation of the critical infrastructure with this desert terrain.
"We flew into western Ninewah province so that we could see the area we are expanding our forces to in the next few weeks, as well as take the opportunity to meet with our Iraqi counterparts from the 3rd Iraqi Army Division and the U.S. Marines that are currently operating in the region," said Maj. Randy Smith, one of the staff officers in attendance.
The "Greywolf" brigade is set to assume control of western Ninewah from another "Wolfpack" in the coming weeks. The "Wolfpack", 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, which took control of western Ninewah in early 2009, are set to redeploy to Twentynine Palms, Calif., in mid-October, leaving their area of operations in the capable hands of the 3rd Bde.
"We are really considering this as an expansion of our current operations," said Maj. Steven Cho, operations officer for 3rd Bde.
The 3rd Bde. has been operating in areas in and around Mosul since their arrival to Iraq in January. Their areas of focus have been partnered relationships with Iraqi security forces to improve security and stability in the region and capacity-building projects in order to improve quality of life for the people of Ninewah.
With tangible successes in their current area of operations, 3rd Bde plans to apply the same model for success in western Ninewah as they develop a strategy to expand operations along the brigade lines of effort prior to their assumption of responsibility in mid-September.
"We are going to partner with Iraqi security forces in the region, employ provincial reconstruction teams and civil affairs teams to develop special projects that are needed in the area and get out and talk to the people in the region," said Cho. "We are going to make it a daily goal to talk to the Iraqis on the ground to find out what they need and to find out what their concerns are regarding security in their communities. This is what we've done in Mosul and its surrounding areas, and it has been successful."
As the helicopters landed in the operating base known as TAO Tripoli, Volesky and Pippin were greeted by the 3rd LAR commander, Marine Lt. Col. Kenneth Kassner, and the 3rd LAR sergeant major, Marine Sgt. Major Michael Parks, who seemed happy to see their future replacements as they prepare for their redeployment.
Kassner and Parks escorted the 3rd Bde. group for a short tour of the installation and then broke into groups so that each of the staff members could interact with their counterparts and discuss operations in the area.
The 3rd Bde's representatives then moved to an Iraqi army operating base and broke bread with a deputy commander of 3rd Iraqi Army Division assets operating in the region. The staff was able to ask questions and address questions from the Iraqi army representatives on how to best partner in the region. Both 3rd Bde. and the IA seemed satisfied with the outcome of the meeting.
"We were able to listen to our Iraqi counterparts from the 3rd Iraqi Army Division brief us on their current and future plans for operating in the area as well as share significant ideas on how we could better assist and complement one another with our joined assets," said Smith. "In addition, anytime we have the opportunity to sit down and meet with our Iraqi brothers, it almost always leads to a meal, which all of us enjoy. The sharing and friendship is where we make the most from these meetings. These meetings allow us to share information amongst one another as well as define the transparency we are striving for."
The mission ended near the border between Iraq and Syria, where the brigade staff got a tour of the point of entry between the two countries.
The 3rd Bde is set to move into western Ninewah province as the 3rd LAR begins their redeployment process in mid-September. As the Marines leave, 3rd Bde will ramp up and continue improvement of essential services and quality of life for the population in this region. The focus for the brigade is continued forward momentum on improving security, stimulating economic growth and improving stability throughout the Ninewah province.
"Tomorrow we have one less day to make a difference," said Volesky. "We've been given an opportunity to create the same successes in this region that we have throughout the rest of Ninewah. We are honored to have that opportunity."
| Date Taken: | 08.17.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 08.20.2009 03:04 |
| Story ID: | 37729 |
| Location: | MOSUL, IQ |
| Web Views: | 274 |
| Downloads: | 211 |
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