Cavalry Soldiers take to Tarmiyah airwaves

Photo By Kimberly Hackbarth | Lt. Col. Richard Heyward (right), commander of 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team 2nd Infantry Division, speaks during his first interview with 106.5 FM Al-Bayadeer Broadcasting Radio, a local radio station in Tarmiyah, Jan. 13.  

JOINT SECURITY STATION TARMIYAH, IRAQ

01.13.2010

Story by Pfc. Kimberly Hackbarth 

4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division

JOINT SECURITY STATION TARMIYAH, Iraq — Two U.S. Army officers, the team leader of embedded Provincial Reconstruction Team Baghdad-North, and the mayor of Tarmiyah packed around two microphones on a desk for a live interview with a host from 106.5 FM Al-Bayadeer Broadcasting Radio, Jan 13.

One of the attendees was a newcomer to the weekly radio talk show, Lt. Col. Richard Heyward, commander of 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, whose unit recently moved to Tarmiyah to provide support to Iraqi security forces.

With an interpreter by his side to translate his words, Heyward addressed the radio listeners for the first time.

"It's an honor for me to be here today and participate in this radio show for the first time," said Heyward to an audience of several million citizens across Tarmiyah, Baghdad, and Diyala province. "My unit and all the men I work with are looking forward to working with the Iraqi security forces, the Iraqi police and the Iraqi army."

Latif, one of three radio hosts at the station, invited Heyward to the radio studio to speak about what his unit will be doing in Tarmiyah.

"I just wanted him to send a message for Tarmiyah people about security," said Latif.

For his first time on the local airwaves, Heyward was introduced by Lt. Col. Mark Solomons, commander of the outgoing 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division.

Also in attendance was the mayor of Tarmiyah, one of several local leaders who regularly speak on the show. IP and IA representatives have been on the show a number of times before as well.

Another newcomer to the program, Karen Malzahn, the team leader of ePRT-North, was also introduced to the show's listeners and she and Heyward discussed plans to work together on issues in the area.

Though he spoke only briefly, Heyward said he was grateful for the chance to communicate directly with the people he and his unit will be helping protect.

"This is one of the only radio stations in this area north of Baghdad and it allows us to reach out and engage the local population in a way that we couldn't do before," said Heyward. "I think more importantly, it's connecting the local population to the local governance."

• Date Taken: 01.13.2010
• Date Posted: 02.08.2010 13:42
• Story ID: 45097
• Location: JOINT SECURITY STATION TARMIYAH, IQ