1/10th MTN DIV MPs: ISF are professional law-enforcement officers

Photo By Spc. Emily Wilsoncroft | BAGHDAD, IRAQ -- An Iraqi boy stops his bicycle to get a closer look at some 1/10th Mountain Division Soldiers passing through the Ghazaliyah area of western Baghdad on an election day patrol Dec. 15. Task Force Baghdad Soldiers conducted outer ring security away from the polling sites while the Iraqi Security Forces maintained security at the voting areas. (U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Emily Wilsoncroft)  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

12.21.2005

Courtesy Story

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By Staff Sgt. John R. Rozean
1/10 Mountain Division PAO

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- "Today was a good day," said Staff Sgt. John Linde of his day spent doing his part to secure the streets of western Baghdad Dec. 15 so that more than 10 million Iraqi voters could make it to the polls to vote for a permanent government.

"It feels good to see the building blocks take place in Iraq," said Linde, a military policeman with 1/10th Mountain Division's Brigade Special Troops Battalion. "It felt good to be part of the event. Seeing (the Iraqi people) having hope and high expectations of their future government gave a feeling of accomplishment that my efforts and the efforts of Soldiers before me have served a great purpose."

"The very thought of the unbridled potential for this nation is thrilling," said Sgt. Timothy Cline, also of the 1/10th Mountain's BSTB. "This monumental step forward was made possible not only by the U.S. presence here, but also by the desire of the Iraqi people to be free."

"It was a day of celebration and for years the people of Iraq did not have much to celebrate," said Linde. Due to the no-drive policy, the streets were filled with pedestrians, children playing, riding bicycles and playing soccer.

"Today children came to me and explained to me how their families were killed during the past regime." Throughout his patrol Linde witnessed thankful Iraqi citizens chanting "U-S-A" and giving 'the thumbs up sign."

Coalition Forces provided security in the outer cordons surrounding the polling stations while the Iraqi Security Forces, Army and police alike, maintained security at the voting centers in Baghdad.

"I feel the Iraqi Security Forces performed well," said Linde. "They took their job and their purpose seriously."

"The performance of the Iraqi forces, while not overbearing, was strong," said Spc. Matthew Bennett, another BSTB MP, on patrol on the historic day. "They held themselves in a proud and enthusiastic fashion, which seemed to deny any chances of unruly disturbance could break out."

"The ISF have stepped up their role in Iraq," said Cline. "These men are vigilant, well-trained law-enforcement officers. They showed me, personally, that they are up to the task of security and protection in this country. They were disciplined and professional."

Baghdad, where these 1/10th Mountain MPs operated, was relatively peaceful aside from an early morning mortar explosion inside the Green Zone in central Baghdad where a U.S. Marine was injured along with three other civilians.

"This is certainly a step forward for the country of Iraq," said Bennett. "While it may or may not be a huge deciding factor in the future of Iraq, it has shown that an orderly and diplomatic system can in fact work."

"History was definitely made today," said Cline.

(Capt. Collin Roach, BSTB public affairs officer, contributed to this article)

Iraqi elections

• Date Taken: 12.21.2005
• Date Posted: 12.21.2005 09:19
• Story ID: 4151
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ