Stryker Brigade News

The population's approximately 10.2 million, and all of the Iraqi ethnic and religious groups are represented in the AO.

The task force consists of approximately 23,000 U.S. soldiers, which includes three brigades from the 101st, the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team from Alaska, the 3rd Armored Calvary Regiment and the 3rd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division from Fort Carson, Colorado, and it includes the 555 Combat Support Brigade (Maneuver Enhancement) out of Fort Lewis, Washington. We also have tactical control of about 105,000 members of the Iraqi security forces. That includes four Iraqi army divisions, one strategic infrastructure brigade, 14 strategic infrastructure battalions and four border police brigades.

Our mission in northern Iraq is to develop Iraqi security forces capable of conducting independent counterinsurgency operations within MND North while simultaneously conducting combined operations to neutralize AIF. This is in support of the Iraqi government's ongoing efforts to improve internal security, foster economic growth and the maintenance of basic infrastructure.

We are partnered with the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Iraqi army divisions. These units have made tremendous progress in their training and the ability to provide the citizens of Iraq the security they deserve. Iraqi soldiers and policemen are in the fight every day. They're risking not only their lives, but often the lives of their families for the security of their fellow citizens.

Iraqi citizens are also stepping forward in the fight to secure their country. Tips from concerned Iraqis to both Iraqi security forces and coalition forces have led to the discovery of numerous weapons caches and IED-making materials.

As you know, in the December parliamentary election, the voter turnout was a tremendous success. The Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq determined that 70 percent of those Iraqis eligible to vote voted -- over 11 million -- did so despite the threats of violence. In the six provinces within MND North, 75 percent of those registered voted. The high voter turnout is a clear indicator that the citizens of Iraq not only have a strong desire for democracy, but they also have an increased sense of security, security that during the latest election was provided entirely by Iraqi security forces.

Iraqis continue to advance in other areas as well. One government capability that has progressed tremendously is the Joint Coordination Centers, which are located throughout every province and municipalities.

The JCCs have become extremely effective in coordinating emergency service responses. Their planning and the Iraqi security forces execution of that plan was primarily responsible for a safe and secure vote during the December elections.

Our most important mission, however, remains the training and equipping of Iraqi security forces. Working together, we will support the continued progress toward a democratic Iraq. Our end state remains unchanged: an Iraq at peace with her neighbors, with a representative government that respects human rights of all Iraqis, with a security force capable of maintaining domestic order, and denying safe haven to terrorists.