Stryker Brigade News

Peace Monitor Force Transition

Ceremony to dissolve the PMF (Peace Monitor Force), handing over security responsibilities from Turkey to Iraq. Troops march into square. Scrolls are handed to lines of troops with salutes. Scrolls then handed over to Iraqi officials. PMF officer presents gifts to American and British officer. Troops form in Army, ING and IBP groups, physically reforming in to their new respective Iraqi Security Force assignments. Speech from Colonel Mehmet Aslan, the commander of the PMF, thanking many groups and his troops for their support (Turkish translated to English). Video from 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.

Girls School b-roll

Civil Affairs soldiers help celebrate the completion of one construction project at a school for gifted girls in Mosul. Multinational Forces are working on building new classrooms and labs for the school. Scenes of improvements made at the Mutamayzat Primary School For Girls - building exteriors, classroom interiors. Shatha Zeki, Headmaster at the school, cuts the ribbon in front of some young girls. More classroom shots - desks, windows. Children pose with the ribbon. Iraqis and Soldiers stand in the hallway. School viewed from outside street. Soldier talks with children, and a girl waves to camera. Soldiers walk along hallway and outside school. Video from 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment. See "Girls School interviews" in the "Interviews" section.

Girls School interviews

Interviews at the Mutamayzat Primary School For Girls, which opened in Mosul. The school is a first for the city of Mosul. Shatha Zeki, Headmaster at the school, speaks through a translator. Says she is very happy the school is open, and girls are happy with the opportunities they now have. Army Major Larry Ogg (from Mountain View, CA) is the Multinational Forces Officer in Charge for the school project. He talks about the two phases of the project - they cut the ribbon on the improvements at existing classrooms, and are now starting to build new classrooms and labs. He describes the school as college prep for gifted girls who may go on to become doctors, lawyers, engineers. Says education needs to be stressed and women need to be in these professions. Talks about education opening minds to new ideas, and the importance of the project to his team. Describes phase two of construction and problems at old school. Video from 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment. See "Girls School b-roll/package in the "Iraq" section.

Girls School package

Package made from "Girls School b-roll" in this section. Soundbite from Army Major Larry Ogg (from Mountain View, CA). Produced by Specialist Sara Roeske, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.

Interview with MAJ Garcia

Interview between Major Michael Garcia (from Phoenix, AZ) in Mosul and KPNX in Phoenix. He gets to talk to his wife and father back in Arizona. The anchor talks to the family about separation, and MAJ Garcia talks about his weekly chats with his wife. He describes the location and climate of Mosul, and his work schedule. Says this is the best and hardest job he has done. He has not officially been told when his tour is over, but plans to take leave shortly. His wife talks about running things at home, including their adoption plans. They talk about email being the lifeline with troops in Iraq. Major Garcia talks about missing Mexican food and golf. Video from 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.