MNF-I commander assesses new improvements as part of Operation Together Forward

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

09.17.2006

Courtesy Story

2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division

by 1st Lt. Marc Miller
2nd BCT, 1st Armored Division

BAGHDAD – Gen. George Casey, commanding general, Multi-National Forces – Iraq, visited southwest Baghdad's Ghazaliyah neighborhood Sept. 7 to assess the progress of combined operations between 1st Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, and the Soldiers of Multi-National Division – Baghdad's 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, attached to 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division.

Casey toured newly opened shops and visited the local police station in Ghazaliyah and then traveled through neighborhoods to see the improvements in security since Operation Together Forward commenced in the area Aug. 13.

Col. Robert Scurlock, commander, 2nd BCT, and Lt. Col. Avanulas Smiley, commander, 1st Bn., 23rd Inf. Regt., met with Casey before his tour of the area. Among the areas visited was the Joint Operations Center located inside the Ghazaliyah Iraqi police station.

The station enables the Iraqi police, the Iraqi National Police and the Iraqi army an avenue to coordinate joint operations.

"This Joint Operations Center is going to take hard work on the part of the Iraqis, but I believe they can do it," said Smiley.

Soldiers said they enjoyed the opportunity to show Casey the improvements in the area.

"It is an honor to have Gen. Casey visit and see the good things we're doing here," said Sgt. 1st Class Cesar Valdez, fire support officer, 1st Bn. 23rd Inf. Regt. "We really wanted to show him how much the cooperation amongst the (Iraqi Security Forces) has improved and how it has made a real difference in this part of Baghdad."

Casey stayed in the area for several hours and visited with the Ghazaliyah IP chief and passed out Commanders' Achievement Coins to the IP officers.

• Date Taken: 09.17.2006
• Date Posted: 09.18.2006 13:43
• Story ID: 7766
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ