Stryker Brigade News

"Our enemies are those who come here to attack my army, civilians and coalition forces," said Abdullah. He explained that while it is still dangerous here, each day the safety and security is increasing and the large number of Iraqi armed forces in the area will assist in the ongoing protection of the local communities. "We want our soldiers to do their best in their duties," said Master Sgt. Ali Hamwood Ali, the supply sergeant for the Battalion. "In the old regime, we worked for Saddam. Now we work for the new Iraqi government."

He said it was important to keep freedom in the new government, because there was no freedom before. In cooperation with the Iraqi people, coalition forces are assisting in the rebuilding of the infrastructure in Iraq. Local contractors and coalition forces have worked together over the last two months preparing Tall Afar Castle for opening. "You couldn't work with better people.

They really want to do a good job. They want to make their homeland better, and they understand this concept of teamwork that is shared not just within Iraq but with all the people trying to help Iraq become a better nation," said Col. Todd Ebel, a special-projects officer for Task Force Olympia. The task force is a command and control element of Multinational Brigade-North. Ebel explained that many of the changes that had to be made for the opening of Tall Afar Castle were completed with the help of local contractors. Local contactors will also provide assistance in maintaining the facility.

"Tall Afar is located in the Ninevah region on the major highway that runs from Mosul to the Syrian border. The location is operationally significant in providing security and monitoring the transfer of goods from Syria into Iraq," said Ebel. For the facility to be useful to the Iraqi armed forces, major cleanup and renovations had to be done, Ebel explained. The facility was in terrible condition the first time he visited. "There was trash everywhere; it was not an environment for soldiers to live in," he said. Maj.

David Kesterson, the facility commander during the renovations, agreed that when renovations first started, the facility appeared to be in almost irreparable condition. "When the project first started, there was no electricity, water, heating or plumbing. Now all of these things have been restored," said Kesterson, who is also commander of the Coalition Military Assistance Training Team. The team has been working with the Iraqi armed forces to train them to provide security for northwestern Iraq. "Anytime Coalition forces work side by side with the people of Iraq, we become a small family. We often discuss such topics as our families with each other," Ebel said. "The cooperation between the soldiers and the local Iraqis has been monumental."