Maj. Gen. Hahn Has Lunch with the Troops

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class David Benamati | U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Daniel Hahn, Deputy Commanding General, Multi-National Corps - Iraq, congratulates U.S. Army Pfc. Joshua C. Gurrell on a job well done.  

MOSUL, IRAQ

03.24.2006

Courtesy Story

345th Public Affairs Detachment

by Sgt 1st Class David P. Benamati
138th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

MOSUL, Iraq (Mar. 21, 2006) - - Maj. Gen. Daniel Hahn, Deputy Commanding General, Multi-National Corps - Iraq, had lunch with members of the 709th Military Police Battalion Soldiers and congratulated them on the fine work they are doing with training the Iraqi Police.

Hahn stated that he enjoys taking time out of his busy schedule to spend as much time with the troops as he can. During his visit, he took time to recognize individual Soldiers who distinguished themselves for outstanding performance over the past few months. Each Soldier received a coin and words of praise from Hahn.

Hahn spoke to the Soldiers about the three critical lines of defense for the Soldiers serving in Iraq today. First, are the armored vehicles and the protection it provides, second are the countermeasures to Improvised Explosive Devices, and third is the Soldier's tactical knowledge of the situations involving insurgents and not developing patterns that they can exploit.

"It is really critical that you understand that you have thinking enemy out here and you have to out think him. So I'm trying to empower every sergeant out here on the ground to out think him," said Hahn.

Hahn also spoke on the importance of vehicle safety. He addressed the importance of leaders making sure their Soldiers use all the proper safety equipment that is available to them.

"Far too many Soldiers are dying in vehicle accidents here in Iraq," said Hahn. "Vehicle roll-overs are the number one killer of soldiers here in Iraq. The armored Humvees are drastically different from the Humvees you were used to stateside. Seatbelts are a critical factor in saving lives. We have got to do a better job of making sure our Soldiers are wearing the equipment that will make them safe, to include wearing their seat belts."

Hahn concluded his talk with the soldiers by emphasizing the need to keep quality soldiers in the Army by expressing his feelings.

"After my first five years of duty," said Hahn, "I was told by a senior officer that he had stayed in the Army because "If I leave, who will take care of the Soldiers?" So I pose the same question to you leaders; if you leave the Army, who will take care of the Soldiers?"

• Date Taken: 03.24.2006
• Date Posted: 03.24.2006 13:24
• Story ID: 5846
• Location: MOSUL, IQ