NewNew TVTV guideguide appearsappears onon pagepage 1414 Vol. 4, No. 5 Baghdad, Iraq Feb. 3, 2006 U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Lance Cheung On Guard: From left, U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Tony Rivera and Senior Airmen Jason Bauer and Darryll Morley, with the 332nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, during a training exercise, provide security for a C-130 Hercules aircraft from the 463rd Airlift Group at Balad Air Base. Mosul grows peacefully Story by Spc. Rick Rzepka Abbodi Kashmoula, who was appointed in Iraq’s second largest city. This rejection of the insurgency, along Scimitar Assistant Editor July 2004. Mosul has come a long way in the past with increased pressure from Iraqi Army “This is a great day for the people of year, said Col. Mike Shields, commander, and Coalition forces, has led to a 57 per- MOSUL — Iraqi Army forces from the Mosul,” said Kashmoula. “Mosul of the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team. cent reduction in total attacks since last 2nd Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, past is no more. We thank our friends and “Today marks an important day for January, said Shields. assumed control of a sector of Mosul last look to the future,” he said after the cere- Mosul,” he said, adding that the authority The Iraqi police presence in Mosul has week during a ceremony at a local soccer mony. is in capable hands. also significantly increased from a year field here. The transfer of battlespace is the second The Iraqi public in Mosul is becoming ago. Today the Ninevah province has The ceremony was attended by local to take place here. On Dec. 27, the 3rd less tolerant of the insurgency and are 14,000 policemen on duty, most who are officials including the Ninevah province Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division helping the Iraqi Security Forces locate governor, Duraid Mohammed Da’ud assumed control of another section of the insurgents with tips, said Shields. See MOSUL, Page 2 Page 2 Scimitar Feb. 3, 2006 MOSUL from Page 1 Attention to detail trained locally at the Mosul Public Safety Academy. The academy, which trains Iraqis in various facets of public safety includ- ing firefighting and emergency med- ical assistance, accommodates 500 stu- dents who wish to become Iraq’s future crimefighters. Mosul’s infrastructure has also seen major changes. Since reconstruction began, more than 194 projects valued at $182 million have begun, with 56 completed. The effort to rebuild Mosul’s infrastructure has three major focal points. There are 18 projects dedicated to water and sanitation, 83 projects involving education, and 45 projects designed to support law and gover- nance that have been completed, said Col. Bruce Grant, deputy team leader for reconstruction. “Our job is critical to helping build up the Iraqi government with less American presence while maintaining security,” said Grant. “This is a great day for the people of Mosul. Mosul of the past is no more. We thank our friends and look to the future.” U.S. Army photo by Spc. Rick Rzepka An Iraqi police instructor at the Mosul Public Safety Duraid Mohammed Da’ud Abbodi Academy demonstrates the martial arts skills he teaches U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Javier Capella students here. Petty Officer 3rd Class Stephen Hanna of Toledo, Ohio and an electronics technician, performs corrective maintenance on a radio aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt. The Roosevelt is underway on a regularly sched- uled deployment conducting maritime security operations in the Persian Gulf. Pushing the big rod U.S. Army photo by Pfc. William Servinski II U.S. Army Pfc. Christian Zelaya, with Company B, 4th Brigade, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, pushes a cleaning rod down the barrel of a howitzer during routine maintenance at Forward Operations Base Rustimya. Feb. 3, 2006 Scimitar Page 3 PERSPECTIVES ScimitScimitarar PulsePulse One year later, success in Mosul Who do you want win the Super Bowl? city. However, Coalition force commanders in the area are “Steelers, because of Hines Ward.” By Maj. Thomas Kane confident the Iraqi Army has the ability to meet this chal- Multi-National Force - Iraq, Strategic Effects lenge. To date, the Mosul Police Department has 6,175 officers Staff Sgt. Judith Smith he northern Iraqi city of Mosul is not the same place on duty. There is a major effort in the province and Mosul Multi-National Force - Iraq, Tit was a year ago. to fill the ranks of the police with academy-trained officers. Strategic Effects It’s better. The Mosul Public Service Academy is a major province New York On Jan. 25 the 101st Airborne Division hosted a media institution helping fill the void of trained police officers. outreach event in Mosul that focused on significant Mosul currently has 1,000 academy-trained police officers improvements in security and governance. The event includ- and anticipates at least 4,000 more trained by December. The Mosul Police Department presently participates in ed a transfer of authority ceremony for battle space turnover “Seahawks. I have to represent the Coalition Force and Iraqi Army Security operations within by the 172nd Styker Brigade Combat Team to the 2nd West Coast. I'm a West Coast the city. Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 2nd Iraqi Army in West Mosul. The Sailor.” media also visited Provincial Hall where Governor Durayd Since Jan.2005, the Mosul Police improved department Kashmoulah and other Nineveh provincial leaders spoke leadership, and public trust. Training predictions indicate that the Mosul Police Department will have 100 percent of about major improvements in provincial and local govern- Petty Officer 1st Class Tina Taylor their members academy trained by mid 2007. ment. The outreach concluded at the Mosul Public Service Central Criminal Court of Iraq The significant progress in security makes improvements in Academy where Iraqi and Coalition leaders along with the Springfield, Tenn. press viewed police training and facilities. government and the economic sector possible. In Nov. 2005 In 2004, Mosul experienced an aggressive insurgency Coalition Forces started the first Provincial Reconstruction effort that reached its peak intensity in October and Team in Nineveh Province. The team is composed of civilian and military advisors and subject matter experts to help build November. The insurgency organized a robust and over- “Steelers. I don't like Seattle.” whelming offensive that led to the collapse of the Mosul the capacity of provincial government to improve areas of Police Department on Nov. 10, 2004. The security crisis in governance, economy and rule of law. Gov. Kashmoulah and Nineveh Officials are working with November 2004 also created a stoppage on economic and Spc. Ashley Morrison the PRT and making improvements in agriculture, educa- essential service efforts in Mosul and throughout the 738th Medical Company tion, healthcare, master planning and revenue generation. province. Peru, Ind. Despite the desperate security situation, Governor Once the newly-elected National Government is seated, Kashmoulah, key provincial government and existing Iraqi Nineveh Province will address provincial issues on the Security Force members worked with Coalition Forces to national level to gain support and economic assistance for retain order. The evolution of Mosul from 2004 to the pres- continued improvements in security, governance and eco- ent highlights the significant improvements made in securi- nomic stimulation. ty, governance and economic growth. The recent success in Mosul over the last year is a testament “Steelers. They're a Cinderella story. Since Jan. 2005 the Iraqi Security Forces made substantial to the bravery, determination and pride of all Mosul residents I want to see them go all the way.” progress. Currently, the 2nd Iraqi Army Division has 4,200 and the government officials who lead and serve them. fully equipped and trained members in Mosul and the Comparing the complex challenges of Nov. 2004 to the Chief Warrant Officer greater rural area. The division developed their strength, progress evident in Jan. 2006 it is increasingly obvious that Michael Smith proficiency and confidence within the last year. On Jan. 25 Iraqi Security Forces are in the lead and growing stronger Company A, 501st Special Troop the division assumed independent security operations in every day. Future successes in security will make it possible Battalion West Mosul. West Mosul has a history of high anti-Iraqi for further governmental and economic growth in Mosul Valdosta, Ga. Forces activity and is the most challenging section of the and surrounding Nineveh communities. “Steelers. I've been watching the games, and they have a better defense.” Lt. Col. Franky Bruno U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Bayamon, Puerto Rico MNF-I Commanding General Editor............................................Sgt. Jeffrey M. Lowry Gen. George W. Casey Jr. [email protected] Scimitar welcomes columns, MNF-I PAO Assistant Editor.............................Spc. Rick L. Rzepka commentaries, articles and letters from Col. Dewey G. Ford [email protected] readers. Send submissions to Staff................................................Spc. David J. Claffey [email protected] Combined Press Information Center Director Lt. Col. Barry A. Johnson [email protected] [email protected] We reserve the right to edit The Scimitar is an authorized publication for members of the for propriety, clarity and space. Command Information Chief Department of Defense. Contents are not the official views of the Capt. Bradford E. Leighton U.S. Government or DoD. [email protected] The editorial content is the responsibility of the Public Affairs The Scimitar can also be viewed on the Office of the Multi-National Force - Iraq. Stars and Stripes news- Command Information NCOIC paper is not affiliated with MNF-I and acts only as a distributing Web at http://www.mnf-iraq.com/ Sgt.