Photo By Staff Sgt. Russell Klika | Lt. Col Ayad Roston, commander, Military Intelligence Company, 4th Iraqi Army...... read more read more
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Staff Sgt. Russell Lee Klika
133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
TIKRIT, Iraq (July 26, 2006) - Home is where the heart is, and for one Iraqi military officer, his heart is with the Soldiers who are fighting for Iraq's continued freedom.
Lt. Col Ayad Roston, commander, Military Intelligence Company, 4th Iraqi Army Division, was living in the United Kingdom, waiting for the day he could return to Iraq to help his fellow countrymen continue the fight for freedom and democracy.
When the opportunity finally presented itself, he returned to Iraq in 2003 to "give Coalition forces a hand." Ayad said he returned to his birthplace because, once again, he's "here working for freedom."
Ayad is used to fighting the good fight for freedom. In the mid-1980s, he fought along side the current Iraqi president, Jalal Talabani, against Saddam's forces and against Iran. After receiving an injury on the battlefield that took him out of the fight, he fled to Turkey in 1988 and then later immigrated to England as a political refuge and became a British citizen. While in England, he continued his education and eventually earned a college degree. He supported himself by working various odd jobs but always looking forward to the day when he could return to his birthplace.
Today, he leads a military intelligence unit in the northern Salah Ah Din Province of Iraq but is very flexible about his future plans.
"The division commander doesn't want me leave. He wants me to stay here," said Ayad. "We are military, so we don't know. Today here, tomorrow different places."
Ayad has served in several northern Iraqi cities but the constant travel does not dampen his spirits. With each stop comes a new challenge, helping Coalition Forces in each area to free the country of the insurgency.
"Everyday we learn something new from Coalition Forces," said Ayad. "I have been working for the last two years with Special Forces and I have learned a lot from them, because [they] know how to fight."
A plan is in the works that will send Ayad to the U.S. Army Intelligence Center at Ft. Huachuca, Ariz. He believes the training he will receive there will help him to help Iraq. He also believes Coalition Forces are owed a debt of thanks.
"Thanks to [Coalition Forces]. You come thousands of miles away, away from your family. Absolutely, all of you guys are heroes."
| Date Taken: | 07.31.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 07.31.2006 15:51 |
| Story ID: | 7334 |
| Location: | TIKRIT, IQ |
| Web Views: | 181 |
| Downloads: | 24 |
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