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Third Iraqi Army NCOA Class Graduates

FOB ENDURANCE, Iraq – On July 25th Task Force (TF) Automatic began the third Iraqi Army (IA) Non-Commissioned Officer Academy (NCOA) class on FOB Endurance, enhancing leadership capabilities of the IA and preparing them to assume the counter-insurgency fight. Today, those 45 soldiers graduated.

The ceremony opened with the US and Iraqi National Anthems and the invocation, delivered in Arabic by one of the graduates. The guest speaker, Command Sgt. Maj. Lawrence V. Mione, from the 2/101 Aviation Battalion, then spoke to the graduates.

At the NCOA, soldiers are given the opportunity to learn general NCO duties such as map reading, guard duty, first aid and basic rifle marksmanship. They also learn leadership responsibilities such as Iraqi Army values, Law of War, equal opportunity, effective communi-cations and ethics and professional standards. Military decision making process (MDMP), mission analysis and mission essential task list (METL) concepts are also taught during the 3-week course.

“You will begin to see your new found leadership unfold once you return to your respective battalions. You have been given the tools necessary to help train and lead those soldiers under you,” said Mione.

“While performing your duties you will face many difficult decisions. You must always remember to do what is right. Never forget, you are an NCO, a sergeant, a leader.”

Mione was followed by the presentation of awards and certificates. Awards included the Distinguished Honor Graduate Sgt. Hamdan Dais Humdan (3/3rd), Honor Graduates Sgt. Sallah H. Mohammed (1/3rd), Corporal Amar Ibrahim Mustaffa (3/3rd), and Corporal Khalil M. Hussain (3/3rd), and Distinguished Leadership Award Sgt. Maj. Shairzad Asaad Mohie (3rd).

TF Automatic has graduated several IA basic training and NCOA classes at its IA training facility on FOB Endurance since the beginning of 2005. Forty-five soldiers from the 1st, 2nd and 3rd IA Battalions, as well as soldiers from Hammam Al Alil outside of 3rd Brigade, graduated today to join the fight against terrorism.

Over 50 Shieks Gather to Meet with TF Automatic and the IA

HAJJ ALI, Iraq – Today Task Force (TF) Automatic, led by Lt. Col. Bradley Becker, and Iraqi Army (IA) battalion commanders Brig. Gen. Ali Atala Mallow and Lt. Col. Hogger Salahaddin Abdul met with local shieks east of the Tigris River in order to discuss civil affairs projects in their area.

Shieks from Hajj Ali and Awsijah had requested to meet with TF Automatic and the IA. They met at the house of Sheik Nazhan Sakar Salman, along with over 50 other local leaders. Mayor Saleh of Qayarrah and the D/52 Infantry Company Commander, Cpt. Thaddeus Wojtusik, were also there.

“Several civil affairs projects were discussed at the meeting,” said Cpt. Daniel Florey, TF Automatic Economics Officer. “The local leaders wanted to discuss project bids to ensure local contractors would get the opportunity to work on them.”

The meeting was entirely successful for TF Automatic. The TF is striving to develop the eastern side of the Tigris River for Sheik support and assist 3rd Battalion (IA) in the recent expansion of their area of operations

Cpt. Thaddeus Wojtusik and his company continue to work with the IA, the local police station and key leaders of villages east of the Tigris River to improve their safety, economy and living conditions.

Successful Cordon and Knock by Iraqi Army

AL ZAWIYAH, Iraq – Earlier today, 1/3rd Iraqi Army (IA) Battalion, led by Brig. Gen. Ali Atala Mallow, and Task Force (TF) Automatic, led by Lt. Col. Bradley Becker, conducted a cordon and knock operation in Al Zawiyah in order to detain battalion target Abdul Rahman Hassan Shaheen.

Also playing an integral part in the mission was Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA). One of the three targets was executed unilaterally by the IA, accompanied by their military transition team (MiTT). The mission was well timed with all three assault elements at the objective simultaneously.

While enroute to the objective, Ali received a call from a concerned citizen that a terrorist arrived to their village from Mosul. IA soldiers quickly located the individual and detained him. He and two other detainees all tested positive for TET.

Shaheen was not at the objective, but three of his associates were detained. 1/A/2-8 Field Artillery brought the detainees to Forward Operating Base (FOB) Endurance for further questioning.

Cpt. Cherokee Parks and his battery continue to work with the IA, the local police and key leaders of Al Zawiyah to improve their safety and living conditions.

Khalif is Elected as Mayor of Ash Shura

ASH SHURA, Iraq – Yesterday in Ash Shura, local Iraqis met in order to hold their village mayor elections. The two top runners were former Mayor Sabah and current Mayor Khalif, with Khalif winning the election.

“Ever since former Mayor Sabah was relieved from his position last February, he had wanted to regain his status,” said Cpt. Tony Mitek, former officer in charge of Task Force Automatic’s combat outpost in Ash Shura.

Khalif originates from Hammam Alil, while Sabah is from Ash Shura. Last February, following the Iraqi Elections, terrorists kidnapped Sabah’s brother. Sabah could no longer hold the position of mayor for fear of his family’s and his own security. His brother has since returned to Ash Shura alive and well.

“We knew it would be a close election,” explained First Lt. Drew Godwin, 1/D-52 Platoon Leader. “Sabah performed well while in office. However, there are a select few families in Ash Shura who are very influential. The Obaid family is the largest and favored Khalif.”

Electing a mayor is an intricate process. Sheiks and muhktars nominated councilmen. The city council was then elected and approved by the provincial council election committee. The mayor was then selected by the city council.

Mayor Khalif has been filling the position for five months without pay. The effective execution of electing the mayor demonstrates competent democracy in action with efficient provincial oversight.

Cpt. Thaddeus Wojtusik and his company continue to work with the IA, the local police station and key leaders of Ash Shura to improve their safety, economy and living conditions. Mayor Khalif has proven supportive over the past several months and TF Automatic expects to continue their positive working relationship with him and his people.