Stryker Brigade News

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Sewage Treatment Plant Completion Ceremony

AL HURIYAH, Iraq – Task Force (TF) Automatic met with local leaders of Al Huriyah yesterday to celebrate the completion of renovations to their village’s sewage treatment plant.

The plant had been unusable for over seven years. “The local leaders were very grateful for Coalition forces’ assistance, since they were certain it would take a great deal of time for their government to make the necessary renovations,” explained Maj. Andy Ingalsbe, Civil Affairs Officer for TF Automatic.

Lasting just over an hour, the ceremony allowed for all involved to join in one location and appreciate the work that was done. Present at the completion ceremony with Ingalsbe were several local leaders, two local Iraqi police officers, a city councilman and A/2-8 Battery Commander, Cpt. Cherokee Parks.

The locals were very pleased with the finished product and are looking forward to working with Iraqi and Coalition forces on future civil affairs projects.

Da Bombs

TIGER SOUTH, IRAQ – The evening of July 18th revealed 4 x 500 pound, 6 x 1000 pound and 2 x 2000 pound bombs in Task Force (TF) Automatic’s area of operations.

1/3rd Iraqi Army (IA) Battalion Commander Brig. Gen. Ali Atala Mallowh reported from Tiger South his soldiers finding 4 x 500 pound bombs.

TF Automatic’s quick reaction force and explosive ordinance disposal (EOD) team headed to the site where IA engineers guided them to an old bunker. EOD reported that the bunker looked to have been reduced from past Coalition forces attacks.

Further investigation by the EOD team, led by Master Sgt. Charles Lee, uncovered 6 x 1000 pound bombs. Later that evening, 2 x 2000 pound bombs were discovered under three feet of water.

All ordinance was collected and destroyed by EOD on July 21st with no incident.

Local Leaders from Al Hadr Meet to Discuss Issues in their Village

HATRA HOTEL, Iraq – The monthly Al Hadr Area Security Council meeting took place on July 20th at the Hatra Hotel. Topics covered during the meeting included water and road projects, teacher concerns and police pay.

The meeting began at 1045 hours and lasted just over and hour. Over 30 local leaders were in attendance, with additional military and police personnel.

Lt. Col. Ra’ad Naif Haroosh, 2/3rd Iraqi Army (IA) Battalion Commander, opened the meeting, welcoming everyone who had come. He then directed their attention to Cpt. Matt Yost, C/2-8 Field Artillery Commander.

Yost addressed the many successes that 2/3rd IA and Task Force (TF) Automatic have had, working with the local leaders over the past month. After discussing some projects still on going in the area, Yost then opened the floor to questions.

The first several questions pertained to the Al Hadr and Shekan water projects. According to the local leaders, illegal taps and pressure on the water plant manager to divert the water elsewhere are two of the greatest problems. Yost said that he and Ra’ad would be sure to look into the issues very soon.

Other issues addressed were the road to Slobi village and a school in Dewaliah. Tal Abtah Mayor Rachman and Al Hadr Police Chief Lt. Col. Agab spoke of the importance of working with the village mayors.

“As one team, the leaders of the area need to help gather information and develop project priorities,” said Rachman. “The better projects are those that will help many people, and not just one or two people.”

Also present at the meeting were TF Automatic intelligence represent- atives and civil affairs (CA) team representatives. Following the meeting, shieks and mukhtars were able to ask questions individually of the intelligence and CA personnel concerning detainees and projects. Meanwhile, C/2-8 personnel opened a weapons card issue table for those in need of weapons cards.

Yost and his battery continue to work with the IA, the local police stations and key leaders of Al Hadr, Tal Abtah and surrounding villages to improve their safety, economy and living conditions.

Medical Visist in Jedellah

JEDELLAH SOFLA, Iraq – Task Force (TF) Automatic medics conducted a medical visit in Jedellah Sofla, home of 1/3rd Iraqi Army (IA) Battalion Commander Brig. Gen. Ali Atala Mallowh, on JUL 20th.

The visit lasted over two hours and more than 60 men, women and children were treated.

“This was the second time we’ve visited Jedellah,” said Cpt. Jon Christiansen. “This visit was especially helpful for the locals because we brought a dentist from one of the other units on our FOB.” With the help of Christiansen, dentist Cpt. Mark Van Tessle pulled teeth out for six patients.

After Christiansen and his medics treated all patients, Ali’s family provided dinner for TF Automatic.

Medical visits are conducted about four to five times a month around the local villages. They not only assist in improving the health and welfare of the citizens, the visits also strengthen the relationship between TF Automatic and the local Iraqis.