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The Advis r Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq April 2009 MNSTC-I Hosts Women’s Forum page 3 The Advis r >> Volume 6 >> Issue 4 A monthly publication of the Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq Commanding General Lt. Gen. Frank Helmick, USA Sergeant Major Sgt. Maj. Daniel Terwilliger, USMC Public Affairs Officer Col. Steven Wujciak, USA Deputy Public Affairs Officer Lt. Col. Gary Kolb, USA MoD Public Affairs Advisor Lt. Col. Bill Gazis, USA DoIA Public Affairs Officer Photo by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Mark Burrell Maj. Kimberly Layne, USAF An Iraqi student receives a handshake and his graduation certificate from a local dignitary March 5 at the Adl Sports Center in Kadamiyah, Iraq. MoD Media Relations Officer The students graduated from a heavy equipment operator’s course funded by Capt. Tommy Avilucea, USAF Coalition forces. Mr. Van Williams Public Affairs NCOIC Sgt. 1st Class Michael Colucci, USA Features Editor Iraqi Army and Coalition partners traveled MC1 Jim Bane, USN Tank Program Managers 4 visit Besmaya to Besmaya Range Complex Feb. 23 for an Graphic Design update on the new M1A1 Abrams training MC1 Jason Winn, USN program Photojournalist Sr. Airman Stefanie Torres, USAF First Iraqi-taught 6 Proudly standing in front of their recently- Public Affairs Operations NCO Waterborne Ops Course delivered River Patrol Boats, 19 Iraqi Po- licemen proudly accepted their certificates Staff Sgt. Ashley Shoemaker, USA The Advisor is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. Defense Department and New environmentally- 9 The city is serious about solving its garbage multinational partners. engineered landfill in problem and the U.S. Army Corps of Engi- neers (USACE) is part of a joint, multi-nation- Contents of this paper are not necessarily Kirkuk the official views of the U.S. government or al effort to provide solutions multinational partners of the U.S. Department of Defense. The editorial content of this publication The Baghdad Police College, opened its is the responsibility of the Multi-National Security Baghdad Police College 10 Transition Command — Iraq Public Affairs Office. opens first Foreign newly-constructed language center within the High Institute Direct questions and comments to: Language Center [email protected] MNSTC-I PAO APO AE 09348 Security progress allows 12 Iraqi Security Forces took another neces- sary step toward total Iraqi control in secur- DSN: 318-852-1332 for Shulla transfer to ISF www.mnstci.iraq.centcom.mil ing northwest Baghdad. >> ON THE COVER Iraqi Mi-17 multi-role helicopter performed a Photo by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Mark Burrell Iraqi Mi-17 Multi-role 17 Helicopter performs night night vision navigation passenger movement Iraqi students dance under an Iraqi flag mission. before a graduation from a heavy equip- training mission ment operator’s course funded by the Coalition force. 2 The Advisor • April 2009 www.mnstci.iraq.centcom.mil FirstBy U.S. Army Sgt. 1stWomen’s Class Forum held at MNSTC-I Patricia Ruth MNSTC-I PAO progresses—when women are held back, then society is BAGHDAD - International held back,” declared Noor. She Day 2009 was marked with the mentioned key women who first Women’s Forum, held in have engraved their memory the CPATT Conference Room, in history—they included the MNSTC-I, Phoenix Base on virgin Mary, Our lady Fatimah March 8th. This forum was Al Zahra, the daughter of designed to bring Iraqi women the last prophet Mohammed, together with women from Nazik Al Mala’akh, Iraqi the Multi-National Security author and poet and Naziha Transition Command – Iraq AL-Dolaimi, who was active in (MNSTC-I) to discuss some women’s rights. issues they have and to build United States Marine Corps relationships within the Maj Kimberley Donahue different cultures. shared with the Iraqi women Samantha Emmett,of her experiences as a female in MNSTC-I Directorate of the military. She stated that Defense Affairs (MNSTC-I only 6% of the Marines force Photo by U.S. Air Force Senior Airman StefanieTorrres DDA) coordinator of the is female, but she persevered An Iraqi student receives a handshake and his graduation certificate from a Forum, stated that it was the to get what she wanted. “Even Lt. Gen. Frank G. Helmick, Commanding General of MNSTC-I local dignitary March 5 at the Adl Sports Center in Kadamiyah, Iraq. vision of Major General Jasim, in a restricted service, you can and Najwa Mustafa attended the recent Womens’s Forum The students graduated from a heavy equipment operator’s course funded by Director of Military Training still excel and be a leader,” held at Phoenix Base. Coalition forces. M7, to bring the two groups said Donahue. towards equality. “You have card to get a sense of what together to discuss cultures, Lt. Gen. Frank G. Helmick, to be patient—look where we they felt about the forum. roles and responsibilities. Commanding General of were just 5 years ago.” With Lamyaa’ Jaleel, of the He also felt it was a good MNSTC-I, arrived to show such things as infrastructure, Directorate of Training-M7, idea to get feedback from his support of the forum. He oil, water and educated people, was very happy with the these women regarding what remarked on the strides that Iraq has everything to be not forum. “It was excellent, we they might want to discuss women are making both in the just a leader, but the leader in hope it happens more often… in future forums. Emmett military and in other fields of the Region, stated Helmick. had we started earlier, we stated that they wanted to work. He stated that women The Iraqi women were would have benefited earlier.” create the atmosphere for an are breaking down barriers asked to fill out a comment open dialogue, so the women could feel they had a voice and were not just being talked to. The aim was for the Iraqi women to find out more about western culture and values from a female perspective and have a better understanding of the different roles women fulfill in the military, MOD organizations, police, judicial and educational systems, said Emmett. Topics during the forum included the role of women in the police, life as a middle school principal, females in the judiciary system and women in western society and business. Dr. Noor, Medical Inspector and Assistant to Ministry of Defense (MoD) Photo by U.S. Air Force Senior Airman StefanieTorrres IG, spoke on the progression A group of women, along with Lt. Gen. Frank G. Helmick gather at the conclusion of the first of women in society. “When Women’s Forum held at Phoenix Base. The conference aim was for the Iraqi women to find women progress, then society out more about western culture and values from a female perspective. www.mnstci.iraq.centcom.mil The Advisor • April 2009 3 Iraqi M1A1 Tank Program Managers visit Besmaya Range Complex By U.S. Air Force Capt. Tommy Avilucea MNSTC-I PAO BESMAYA, Iraq – Iraqi Army and Coalition partners traveled to Besmaya Range Complex Feb. 23 for an update on the new M1A1 Abrams training program underway here. U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Salazar, commander, Joint Headquarters Army Advisory Training Team, Multi- National Security Transition Command – Iraq, accompanied Iraqi Army Brig. Gen. Hazim, Col. Razzaq, and Col. Abdul Ameer, program managers for the M1A1 Abrams tank fielding for the Iraqi Army. The visit consisted of a tour of an M1A1 Abrams tank, a question-and- answer session with the top Iraqi student, Lt. Husham Jamel Ali, and finally an exhilarating ride in the M1A1 designed to demonstrate the speed and maneuverability of the weapons platform. U.S. Army Lt. Col. Timothy Renshaw, Coalition Senior Advisor - Besmaya Photo by U.S. Air Force Capt. Tommy Avilucea Combat Training Center, briefed training Brig. Gen. Steven Salazar, commander, Joint Headquarters Army Advisory Train- scenarios and the objectives of the ing Team, and Brig. Gen. Hazim, Iraqi M1A1 Program Manager, receive a brief- intense tank training to the program ing on capabilities of the Abrams tank during a management review at Besmaya managers. Detailing the steps involved Range Complex Feb. 23.. in completing the course, he said, “They first learn how to operate the main gun, and then advance to acquiring multiple targets.” Husham, currently a student in the train-the-trainer course, was asked about his impression of the training to-date. He replied, “The combination of hands-on training and classroom training is very effective. The training is difficult, but we are dedicated to completing each training scenario. We do not leave the training area until the mission is complete, no matter if it is past normal duty hours.” The Iraqi M1A1 Abrams students have the opportunity to train with simulators to familiarize themselves Photo by U.S. Air Force Capt. Tommy Avilucea with the operations of the weapons Brig. Gen. Hazim, Iraqi Army M1A1 Program Manager, rides in the tank com- system. Husham said, “We cannot tell mander’s hatch of the Abrams Tank at Besmaya Range Complex the difference between training in the simulators (on the weapons systems) are at Besmaya Range Complex, with Salazar added, “We currently have compared to the real thing. Using the another 18 to be delivered within the 30 Iraqis in the M1A1 Train-the-Trainer simulators is an effective way to learn next month. The 22 tanks will be used course for the first phase of the process. the weapons system and gain confidence to train 11 Iraqi tank crews in each of The second phase will involve these new before live-fire training.” thirteen future 45-day rotations.