Courtesy Photo | First Lt. James Brodhag (fourth from right), executive officer of Company D, 1st...... read more read more
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Story by: Capt. Michael Monroe McClain
BAGHDAD—Under the guidelines of Operation New Dawn, actions are typically planned, approved, and spearheaded by the Iraqi Army. The primary mission of the 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, United States Division – Center is to advise, train and assist the Iraqi Army to better prepare them to operate as a unilateral force when the responsible drawdown of forces is completed by the end of this calendar year.
The celebratory pilgrimage known as Arba’een by Shiite Muslims, which took place Jan. 25, was a prime showcase for how the soldiers of Company D, 1st Battalion, 63rd Armor Regiment, 2nd AAB, 1st Inf. Div., USD-C and their partners with the 17th Iraqi Army Division are executing their mission.
Arba’een, literally translated, means “fortieth,” and marks the fortieth day after the death of the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, Imam Husayn, in the city of Karbala, Iraq, sometime around 680 A.D.
This year, it was estimated that more than 9,925,000 people walked through the 17th IA Div.’s area of operations. In the past, these pilgrims have routinely been targets of terrorists wishing to delegitimize the Iraqi government’s ability to protect its population.
To try to prevent these attacks, Soldiers with 1st Company, Commando Battalion, 17th IA Div. were partnered with Company D, 1st Bn., 63rd Armor Regt., 2nd AAB, 1st Inf. Div., USD-C., and given the responsibility of protecting the pilgrims.
Lt. Bashir, a company commander with the Iraqi commandos, served as the patrol leader for the operation. He and his soldiers actively participated in each level of planning, preparation, and execution.
Bashir has served in the 17th IA’s area of operations for more than three years, and his intimate knowledge of the area allowed him to anticipate where the patrol’s presence would disrupt the enemy’s ability to conduct attacks.
“The Iraqi Army commandos have great first-hand knowledge of the area of operations,” said 1st Lt. Jonathan Chandler, a platoon leader with Company D, 1st Bn., 63rd Armor Regt., 2nd AAB, 1st Inf. Div., USD-C and a Christmas Valley, Ore., native.
“They’ve shown an intense desire to partner with my Soldiers and work as one team,” Chandler said. “We conduct combined planning, rehearse jointly, and issue partnered patrol briefs to our soldiers. It really helps that everyone understands the mission and function as one single unit.”
Throughout Arba’een, both day and night patrols were conducted. The patrols strengthened the partnership between the 17th IA Div. and the soldiers of 1st Bn., 63rd Armor Regt., 2nd AAB, 1st Inf. Div., USD-C.
Equally important, Chandler said, was increasing the civilian population’s trust and confidence in their own security forces.
Partnerships like these are vital in ensuring the Government of Iraq becomes a self-sufficient organization, capable of enforcing its laws, maintaining internal security, and becoming a long-term strategic ally in the Middle East. Soldiers with Company D, 1st Bn., 63rd Armor Regt., 2nd AAB, 1st Inf. Div., USD-C will continue to strengthen these relationships with their IA counterparts in the coming months to ensure they can operate autonomously by the conclusion of Operation New Dawn.
| Date Taken: | 01.22.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 02.24.2011 06:30 |
| Story ID: | 65977 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 42 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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