Spartans meet, develop relationship with Iraqi security forces

MOSUL, IRAQ

11.20.2009

Story by Spc. Crystal M. Bradley 

2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs

FORWARD OPERATING BASE MAREZ, Iraq — After only being on the ground for a week, 1st Battalion, 9th Field Artillery Regiment "Battle Kings", 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Soldiers met their Iraqi counterparts, during a partnership dinner hosted by 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, and 1st Infantry Division, held at the Forward Operating Base Marez, Iraq, dining facility, Nov. 20.

During the dinner, the Battle Kings, who are tasked to replace 3-8 Cavalry, saw first hand the great working relationship between 3-8 Cavalry Soldiers and Iraqi security forces.

According to 1-9 FA Battalion Commander, Lt. Col. Thomas Williams, 2nd HBCT Soldiers plan to pick up where 3-8 Cavalry Soldiers left off.

"We are definitely going to maintain the relationship that the 3-8 Cavalry Soldiers have already established with the ISF; we'll continue to build it up and work together to get the job done," said Lt. Col. Williams.

According to Capt. Bryan Frizzelle, Headquarters and Headquarters Company commander, 3-8 Cavalry, working closely with Iraqi security forces made their mission to stabilize and assist northern Iraq much easier to accomplish.

"When we first got to Iraq, western Mosul was one of the worst areas in Iraq. By being able to all work together as one big team, the violence and disarray in Mosul has declined significantly," said the captain. "We just wanted to take tonight, over a bite of food, to thank our counterparts for all their efforts and to introduce them to the next group of Soldiers they'll be working beside."

Frizelle said he is sure that the 1-9 FA Soldiers will do a great job working with the ISF to complete the overall mission in Iraq.

"1-9 FA has a lot of experienced guys," said Frizelle. "Most of them have deployed a time or two already so they already have a great sense of the culture here. I know they will have no problem building an even stronger partnership with the ISF. They'll undoubtedly continue to make great things happen here in Iraq."

After enjoying dinner and conversation, ISF leaders and the U.S. Army came together to cut the cake, symbolizing not only the ending of the dinner, but also the beginning of another beneficial partnership between U.S. and Iraqi security forces.

Brigadier General Majid, Mosul Federal Police Brigade, said that he enjoyed working with the 3-8 Cavalry Soldiers and looked forward to partnering with the 1-9 FA Soldiers.

"We appreciate the sincere efforts made by Lt. Col. Brooks and his Soldiers. We wish them a safe trip home to their families, and we wish much success to the 1-9 FA Soldiers and their mission here," said Majid.

Following the dinner, 3-8 Cavalry Commander, Lt. Col. Phil Brooks, handed out awards and spurs to the ISF, a gesture that expressed thanks for the great partnership already established and goodwill that it will continue for 1-9 FA's deployment.

• Date Taken: 11.20.2009
• Date Posted: 11.25.2009 08:56
• Story ID: 41994
• Location: MOSUL, IQ