May 7, 2005 www.mnstci..centcom.mil

Official Weekly Command Information Report for the Multi-National Security Transition Command - Iraq

On the move

‘Defenders of Iraq’ take up new post Vol. 2 Issue 19

May 7, 2005 General: Zarqawi losing support

By John D. Banusiewicz a firefight in Rawah or was receiving

treatment at the hospital. We were

American Forces Press Service

simply told that a group of insur- MNSTC-I

gents were there, and the Marines

Commanding General

WASHINGTON – Any remaining and soldiers responded, circled the

U.S. Army

support among Iraqis for fugitive hospital, and went in." No evidence

Lt. Gen. David H. Petraeus

Jordanian terrorist Abu Musab al- of Zarqawi's presence at the hospi-

Zarqawi is fading as his network's tal was found, he noted.

Command Sergeant Major

attacks continue to take aim at their

U.S. Marine Corps

country's security forces and civil- The general said forces involved in Sgt. Maj. Ronnie L. Edwards

ians, the director of operations for the search for Zarqawi respond any

the Joint Staff said at a Pentagon time they receive a tip that might Public Affairs Officer

news conference May 5. lead his way. "And as you might U.S. Army

imagine, with a $25 million reward Lt. Col. Frederick Wellman

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. James on his head, we get a lot of tips and

T. Conway, who commanded the a lot of rumors of Zarqawi sightings," Deputy Public Affairs Officers

1st Marine Expeditionary Force dur- Conway said. The general noted he U.S. Army

Capt. Larry George ing two combat tours in Iraq, said was "absolutely confident" that the

he's "absolutely confident" that if terrorist leader would be captured or

U.S. Army Zarqawi stays in Iraq, he'll be cap- killed.

Capt. Tim Jeffers

tured or killed.

Conway said the capture in Pakistan

Operations NCO

"And I might add that I think his of Abu Faraj al-Libbi, operations

U.S. Army

stock is running pretty thin with the chief for Osama bin Laden's al

Sgt. 1st Class Allen R. Thomas

Iraqi people," Conway said. "He Qaeda terror network, was accom-

continues to take credit for some of plished with no U.S. military involve-

Editor

these massive attacks where Iraqis - ment.

U.S. Army

- Iraqi civilians in particular -- are

Sgt. Lorie Jewell

killed in large numbers. And it's our "I think that the Pakistani people

belief, and I think some of the trends should be delighted that their secu- CPATT Public Affairs Liaison

are starting to indicate, that there's a rity forces have completed such a Ann Bertucci

saturation point that the Iraqi citi- sophisticated operation," the general

zens are starting to get to." Iraqi said. "Remember, this guy tried to

The Advisor is an authorized publication for citizens more frequently are provid- kill their president twice. He was

members of the U.S. Defense Department and ing authorities with tips helpful in their No. 1 terrorist, and now their multinational partners. fighting the insurgency, he noted. commandos have taken him down Contents of this paper are not necessarily the and put him behind bars." official views of the U.S. government, multinational partners or the U.S. Dept. of Conway addressed reports that Defense. The editorial content of this publication Zarqawi narrowly avoided capture Conway said that with Libbi now in is the responsibility of the Multi-National Security during a recent raid on a hospital in custody, other terrorists have some- Transition Command - Iraq Public Affairs Office . Ramadi and that the terrorist mas- thing to think about. "I think it should Direct questions and comments to: termind might have been at the hos- send a strong message to bin Laden [email protected] pital because he is ill or injured. and his followers that you are not going to rest in peace as long as MNSTC-I PAO APO AE 09316 "(The raid) was not based, neces- this global war on terrorism is in DPN: 318-852-1334 sarily, upon information that Zarqawi search of you and your compatri- was there," Conway told reporters. ots," he said. "We will hunt you to To subscribe to The Advisor, "We have not been able to confirm your dying days and either capture visit us online at: www.mnstci.iraq.centcom.mil/advisor that Zarqawi was either wounded in you, or kill you if you resist."

Cover: Iraqi Sgt. Maj. Ali Celan Rhadi, 2nd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 7th Iraqi Divi- “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is sion, marches his soldiers to the trucks in preparation for the unit’s deployment to that good men do nothing.” — Edmund Burke (1729-1797) Ramadi May 5. Photo by U.S. Army Capt. Larry George

May 7, 2005 Multi-National Security Transition Command—Iraq The Advisor 2 battalion relocates to Ramadi

By U.S. Army Capt. Larry George MNSTC-I Public Affairs , Iraq – They are formerly referred to as the “Defenders of Baghdad”, but in actuality these units are “Defenders of Iraq”. These broth- ers-in-arms, formed as a militia unit to provide security for the Jan. 30 elec- tions, began movement to Ramadi as the 2nd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 7th Iraqi Division.

Approximately 300 soldiers departed the gates of Al Bakr College May 5 on a mission to defend the streets of Ramadi from insurgent forces and terrorism. Iraqi security forces are deploying throughout the nation in a concentrated effort to counter the in- surgency and bring law and order to every part of Iraq. Iraqi soldiers cheer and bid farewell to departing troops from the 2nd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 7th Iraqi Division, as they depart to Ramadi May 5. Photo by U.S. Army Capt. Larry George Although the unit was originally formed to provide localized security “Our efforts have produced a great “I told the whole battalion that they for a specific area in Baghdad, the group (of soldiers),” said Rhadi. “I am could be moving to Ramadi today, so soldiers appeared confident and moti- proud of them and I think this is that replacements would be prepared vated to relocate 70 miles west of the something from the heart.” if we needed them to load the trucks,” capital city. said Col. Khalid. “We had a good re- While moving half of a battalion and sult today and I am pleased.” “We are all in the same Army and its equipment was a huge undertak- country and we are looking forward to ing, the operation was very success- The 1st Battalion, 1st Brigade, 7th Iraqi the move to Ramadi,” said Iraqi Sgt. ful, according to Col. Khalid Salman Division conducted its movement to Maj. Ali Celan Rhadi, 2nd Battalion, 1st Shineair, commander, 2nd Battalion, Ramadi in April, but according to Iraqi Brigade, 7th Iraqi Division. 1st Brigade, 7th Iraqi Division. and Coalition officials, that deploy- ment was not as orderly Rhadi could be and efficient as the 2nd seen as a major Battalion’s efforts. force and influ- ence in the unit “This (operation) is during the morn- smooth,” said U.S. Marine ing preparations Capt. Wade Reaves, Iraqi to deploy. He Security Forces Liaision moved throughout Officer, 2nd Brigade Com- the college com- bat Team, 2nd Marine Ex- pound, directing peditionary Forces. “This and assisting sol- Iraqi unit wants to make diers in the load- things happen.” He con- ing of the trucks. tributed the successful Soldiers worked execution of the move- feverishly to load ment to the detailed coor- everything from dination and complete personal foot involvement of the Iraqi lockers to bed leadership. frames as they prepared to de- An Iraqi soldier carries a mattress frame to the truck in preparation for the unit’s deployment to Ramadi See ‘Relocate’ part before lunch. May 5. Photo by U.S. Army Capt. Larry George Page 4

May 7, 2005 Multi-National Security Transition Command—Iraq The Advisor 3 Relocate From Page 3

The Iraqi leadership planned, organized and executed the deployment with little involvement from Coalition forces. The 1st Iraqi Motor Trans- portation Regiment from Taji provided the sole vehicular support needed for both the equip- ment and personnel convoys. A total of 30 trucks and about 120 personnel supported both of the movements.

The vehicle officer responsible for the equip- ment portion of the operation was quick to high- light the readiness and capabilities of his per- sonnel and equipment. He spoke proudly of his unit’s training, which has included convoy op- erations security, procedures for dealing with improvised explosive devices and contigency nd st th Iraqi Sgt. Maj. Ali Celan Rhadi, 2 Battalion, 1 Brigade, 7 Iraqi Division, supervises his sol- plans. diers as they load vehicles in preparation for their deployment to Ramadi. Photo by U.S. Army Capt. Larry George “I have trained my soldiers about everything especially the trucks and have even trained them on infan- movement in the near future. try skills,” said Lt. Alaa Yasur Fahed, vehicle officer, 1st Iraqi Motor Transportation Regiment. He compared his unit As remaining leaders and fellow soldiers of the battalion to a “miracle team” capable of handling any life-threatening bid farewell to the passing troops and the last truck de- or serious operation. parted the college gates, a light rain began to fall.

The other half of the battalion will remain at the college “When it rains, it means good things will happen,” said base to continue training while plans are finalized for their Khalid. Control of An Numaniyah base now in Iraqi hands

By U.S. Army Sgt. Lorie Jewell vider, the private contractor firm Eur- A team made up of MOD officials and MNSTC-I Public Affairs est Support Services, was very help- personnel from the Multi-National Se- ful in the transition process, he curity Transition Command – Iraq’s AN NUMANIYAH, Iraq – After months added. Coalition Military Assistance Training of preparation, control of the An Nu- Team traveled from Baghdad to maniyah Iraqi Army base transferred An Numaniyah to conduct the May 5 from the Coalition to the Minis- transition. try of Defense. The new food contractor is pro- Until now, the base infrastructure, life viding meals that are well- support functions and maintenance received by the Iraqi soldiers, had been provided by a Coalition- Harvey said. funded contractor. A MOD base sup- port unit now has responsibility for Coalition forces will remain on running the facility, which is home to base for several months, serving an operational Army brigade and as advisers, Harvey said. training center. “There is definitely a different Coalition and Iraqi officials deemed feeling to the post, as the Iraqi the transition successful. BSU took on a whole new per- spective and intensity to their The transition included a post-wide roles,” Harvey said. inventory, creation of a monthly budget and a lengthy hiring review, This was the second BSU turn- said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Mark Harvey, U.S. Army Lt. Col. Mark Harvey, base commander for Coali- over this year. Control of the tion forces, poses with Iraqi Col. Bader, commander of the base commander for the Coalition An Numaniyah Iraqi Army base, on the day control was Umm Qasr Naval Base ex- forces. The previous life support pro- transferred to the Ministry of Defense. Photo courtesy Iraqi Col. Bader changed hands March 17.

May 7, 2005 Multi-National Security Transition Command—Iraq The Advisor 4 Graduation adds 1,613 new soldiers to Iraqi Army

By U.S. Army Lt. Col. Fred Wellman MNSTC-I Public Affairs

KIRKUSH, Iraq – To the cheers of more than 800 fellow trainees, 1,613 infantry and transport soldiers of Basic Combat Training Class 09 became graduates of the Iraqi Training Battalion.

Representing a cross section of Iraq, 1,317 members of the class were honored May 3 for completing eight weeks of basic infantry training, with 300 additional soldiers com- pleting an additional three weeks of driver training.

The ceremony at the Kirkush Military Train- ing Base in eastern Iraq featured the new graduates conducting drills and passing in review to the drums of the KMTB band. As they cleared the field, a platoon of soldiers high stepped to the center and formed a hu- man pyramid three layers high. As the final soldier climbed the backs of his peers, he pulled out an Iraqi flag from his jacket. Sol- diers in the stands cheered wildly as he held it up while maintaining his balance on the shoulders of another soldier.

In the steep bleachers, basic trainees clearly enjoyed the opportunity to sit and enjoy the ceremony. Alternating between a distinctly Iraqi form of the wave to rocking back and forth, with arms slung around their The May 3 KMTB neighbor’s shoulders and singing songs, the graduation featured formations of sol- camaraderie was a familiar sight to any sol- diers proudly bear- dier who has struggled through basic train- ing unit crests and colors (counter ing, in any uniform. It was clear that weeks clockwise from of intense training was creating a bond of top), displaying camaraderie in the brotherhood. stands, passing in review, and forming The graduating soldiers will be transferred a three-layer high rd pyramid to display into three different Iraqi divisions and the 3 the Iraqi flag — a Motor Transport Regiment. They will join feat that drew en- thusiastic cheers more than 161,000 trained and equipped from the stands.

Iraqi Security Forces defending their country Photos by U.S. Army Lt. Col. against anti-Iraq forces. Fred Wellman

May 7, 2005 Multi-National Security Transition Command—Iraq The Advisor 5 Iraqi officer carries on family tradition

immersed in By U.S. Army Sgt. Lorie Jewell his father’s love MNSTC-I Public Affairs of flight. He can name just BAGHDAD, Iraq – In Iraqi Lt. Col. Burhan’s family, training about every and working with Americans isn’t a new concept. type of bird his dad flew – the Burhan’s father, Hasan Sharif, earned his flight wings after English West- going through a U.S. pilot training course at Fort Walters, land, the Texas in 1966. Sharif, a captain at the time, retired as a French Gazelle major general in 1984 after 26 years of service. He died and Allouett, three years ago, just before the launch of Operation Iraqi Iraqi Lt. Col. Burhan’s father, Hasan Sharif, went Russian MI 4, through pilot training at Fort Walters, Texas in the Freedom. MI8, MI17 late 1960s. Photo courtesy Iraqi. Lt. Col. Burhan and MI24, Now Burhan, who for security purposes does not use his among others. After his time in Texas, Sharif added the full name, is following the lead his father started some four UH-1H “Huey” and the OH-58, now called the Bell 206 decades ago. Burhan works closely with the J-4 section of “Jet Ranger.” the Multi-National Security Transi- tion Command – Iraq, focusing on Burhan still vividly recalls the ride his fa- joint logistics training. ther gave him in a Westland helicopter. He was 11 years old. “We’re learning their logistics sys- tem and they’re learning ours,” “After that, and because of my father, I said U.S. Army Lt. Col. George wanted to be a pilot when I grew up,” Bur- Crowell. “He’s helping develop han said, through an interpreter. how logistics will operate in the new Iraqi Army.” At 18, Burhan was off to the military col- lege at Rustamiyah. A year and a half Crowell, a liason between later, he joined the Iraqi Army engaged in MNSTC-I and Iraq’s Ministry of Decades after his father trained in the U.S., Iraqi Lt. the war with Iran. His hope of being a pilot Defense, has been working be- Col. Burhan (middle) is helping develop a logistics system for the Iraqi Army with Coalition forces. was dashed when the Army gave him an side Burhan for a few months. He Photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Lorie Jewell engineer job. At that time, a soldier could was touched when Burhan not choose his job field, Burhan said. showed him photos of his father’s experiences. He remained an engineer in the Iraqi Army until it was dis- “He was proud that he went to an American flight school, banded following the 2003 fall of Saddam Hussein. He otherwise he spent a year at home with his wife and three children, wouldn’t have working at a supermarket with his brother. Burhan said his kept the pic- wife was happy to have him home, but he was anxious to tures all these be back in uniform. All that time with his wife was leading years,” Cro- to a lot of arguments, he said, grinning. well said. “That’s some- Burhan said he is hopeful his country is heading in the thing to think right direction, and that everything will go well with estab- about while lishing a new government. He enjoys working with Ameri- we’re here, cans, just as his father once did. that what we do with peo- “The best thing about them is you can trust them,” Burhan ple may be- said. “They go straight for something to get it done, they come memo- don’t go right or left.” Then-Iraqi Capt. Hasan Sharif gets classroom instruc- ries for the tion from a U.S. Air Force captain at Fort Walters, rest of their It’s a characteristic Burhan not only appreciates, but Texas. Sharif’s son, Iraqi Lt. Col. Burhan, believes the lives.” captain’s name was Robert H. Schnoop. Although his shares. At 40 and with a good two decades of service to father died a little more than three years ago, Burhan his country, Burhan still holds the hope of being a pilot. would like to reconnect with the captain and share Growing up in with him how much the training meant to his father, who retired from the Iraqi Air Force in 1984 as a major Baghdad, “If the opportunity comes, I would do it,” Burhan said. “I general. Photo courtesy Iraqi Lt. Col. Burhan Burhan was have not given up that dream.”

May 7, 2005 Multi-National Security Transition Command—Iraq The Advisor 6 Iraqi Assistance Group partners advisers with forces By Spc. Curt Cashour Once they leave Kuwait, the teams part of an advisory team made up of 14th Public Affairs Detachment travel to the Phoenix Academy at Soldiers from the 1st Battlion 163rd Camp Cooke, Iraq, where they’ll Field Artillery, a National Guard unit CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait — While a spend about three weeks working from Evansville, Ind. number of countries have contributed through mission-related problem to the success of Operation Iraqi solving exercises and case studies. The language and cultural training Freedom, completing the overall mis- After the training at Cooke, the teams has put the advisors leaps ahead of sion hinges on the achievements of will be ready to partner with an Iraqi American Soldiers who have previ- one nation: Iraq. In order for the unit. Advisory team deployments ously deployed to the Middle East, country to stabilize, Iraq must have a typically last for a year, Morales said. said Maj. John Osborne, part of an robust network of security forces to advisory team composed of Soldiers include military and police contin- The teams often consist of 10-man from the 100th Division, a Reserve gents. groups composed of both commis- unit from Louisville, Ky. sioned and noncommissioned offi- According to an April 23 radio ad- cers who have proven themselves The 39-year-old Osborne served in dress by President George W. Bush, adept at problem solving and adapt- Desert Storm. During the conflict, the number of trained and equipped ing to different types of situations, then 2nd Lt. Osborne was shocked Iraqi security forces now exceeds Morales said. when a local contractor tried to hold 150,000. his hand. With the help of the cul- Specializing in all types of security tural-awareness training, Soldiers will To keep these forces growing, the functions, the teams will advise and now know that such an act is merely Iraqi Assistance Group, a military help train Iraqi forces in the art of a friendly gesture, he said. team co-located in Kuwait and Iraq operations at battalion, brigade and operating under the command and division levels. They will not, how- A member of an advisory team from control of the Multi National Security ever, be in charge of the Iraqis. the 29th Infantry Division, a National Transition Command-Iraq, is helping Guard unit headquartered in Fort to partner teams of American military “It’s a balance between doing it for Belvoir, Va., 1st Lt. Paul Chenevert advisers with Iraq’s burgeoning secu- [the Iraqis] and making suggestions,” will soon be working with members of rity forces. Morales said. a newly-formed Iraqi infantry battal- ion. Once Chenevert, 33, and his For the past two months the IAG Once paired with a unit, the advisers team members are satisfied with the group in Kuwait has been helping immerse themselves in Iraqi culture progress of the Iraqi unit, the group these advisory teams navigate by eating, living and training with will begin conducting missions. Advi- through Kuwait on their way to Iraq, Iraqi service members, Morales said. sory members will be there to moni- said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Tony Morales tor the group’s progress and serve as of the 98th Division, an institutional To help them better relate to their liaisons between the Iraqi unit and training Reserve unit headquartered Iraqi counterparts, the advisors re- Coalition forces. in Rochester, N.Y. ceive training in cultural

As chief of operations for IAG- awareness Kuwait, Morales, 43, oversees 12 and exten- soldiers who support the reception, sive instruc- staging and onward integration of the tion in teams, which hail from all branches before leav- of the military. ing the

United MSGTBaker Mark So far, 220 advisors have passed States. through Kuwait. Next month, nearly 400 are scheduled to shuffle through. “It was a col- According to Morales, the trend is lege year of going to continue. Arabic shoved down “This is the priority mission for the our throats in theater. Last year we were focusing 30 hours,” on fighting the insurgency. Now said Capt. we’re concentrating on training the Jack Re- Iraqis to do it,” he said. bolledo, 33,

May 7, 2005 Multi-National Security Transition Command—Iraq The Advisor 7 Joint force eliminates lines at Iraq gas pumps

By Staff Sgt. Raymond Drumsta pumps, replace tanks and build four The need for improvements was 42nd Infantry Division Public Affairs new gas stations. identified through the team’s ongoing dialogue with Iraqi civic leaders. , Iraq – New gas pumps and The team also coordinated with the These leaders reported that Iraqi gas stations, repairs and increased local Iraqi government agencies to citizens were blaming Coalition security have now eliminated long provide escorts for fuel Forces for the lack of fuel and long lines at Iraqi Government gas sta- tankers - protecting them from hijack- lines at the pump, which is not true, tions in Task Force Liberty’s area of ers and black-marketers, and as Paolillo said. operations in central Iraq. Paolillo put it, en- “We Begun last December, the improve- suring the [Coalition ments were coordinated and super- “tankers “Now Iraqis don’t have to wait Forces] have vised by the 42nd Infantry Division’s get from our own fuel,” Oil Team. The 42nd Infantry Division the depot six to 12 hours to get fuel.” he said. is the command and control element to the Paolillo lik- for Task Force Liberty, and Multi- station.” U.S. Army Maj. Brian Paolillo ened the lines National Division, North Central Iraq. to those at "In addi- American gas “Now Iraqis don’t have wait six to 12 tion to fueling the cars, many of stations in the ‘70s energy crisis and hours to get fuel,” said Maj. Brian these stations will also provide diesel oil embargo. Paolillo, 411th Civil Affairs Battalion, and other fuels to meet all of the lo- who is in charge of the 42nd Infantry cal needs," said Sgt. Brian Huckins, Like then, Iraqi motorists were form- Division’s Oil Team. 411th Civil Affairs Battalion and ing lines the night before to get gas member of the 42nd Infantry Division for their vehicles and kerosene fuel The team is responsible for oil secu- Oil Team. for cooking and heating their homes. rity and infrastructure development in Task Force Liberty’s Area of Opera- "All of this has been possible by the "The long lines were at least a head- tions, Paolillo said - coordinating $15 different Coalition Forces working ache, and in many cases a major million worth of oil security and infra- together with the Iraqis to address a traffic hazard and an uncontrolled structure projects at any one time. need. The results are seeing people mess," Huckins said. able to drive without worrying about This includes the recent gas station running out of gas." “When you drive by the stations now, and security improvements. The you don’t see the lines there,” team coordinated with Iraqi contrac- Paolillo emphasized that the im- Paolillo said. “The wait is down to tors to repair and replace existing provements are ongoing. nothing.”

There are an estimated 82.5 million mothers of all ages in the United States.

On average, women can expect to have two children in their lifetime.

81% of women 40 to 44 years old are mothers. In 1980, 90 percent of women in that age group were mothers.

24.8 is the median age of women when they give birth for the first time - meaning one-half are above this age and one-half are below. The median age has risen nearly three years since 1970.

Did you know? —from the U.S. Census Bureau

May 7, 2005 Multi-National Security Transition Command—Iraq The Advisor 8 Iraqi Security Forces / In Brief Iraqi Soldier stops suicide car activities in securing the oil pipelines. The meetings will now be held weekly in Bayji and . (Task Force Lib- bomb attack on base erty Public Affairs) BAGHDAD - A soldier with the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Iraqi Army Brigade stopped a suicide car bomber at an Iraqi Army base in Western Baghdad May 5. Iraqi police seek public opinion An Iraqi soldier was standing guard at the entrance point AMU SHABI – Arapha police officers on a combined patrol of Forward Operating Base Muthana when a suspicious with Task Force Liberty Soldiers spoke with several resi- vehicle approached the checkpoint. The soldier signaled dents about their concerns in Amu Shabi May 3. The police the vehicle to stop but the driver began to accelerate, officers asked residents about the safety of the area, police prompting a warning shot. When the vehicle continued to coverage and projects that could be done in the area. Resi- drive towards the checkpoint, the soldier opened fire, deto- dents of Amu Shabi were responsive, mostly requesting nating the car bomb before it could reach its target. The projects focusing on improving sewage, water and electric- soldier was wounded by the blast, but he prevented others ity systems. (Task Force Liberty Public Affairs) from the destruction. “The brave Iraqi soldier exemplifies the courage and self- Iraqi soldiers teach children less service of Iraqi Army soldiers,” said U.S. Army Maj. Web Wright, public affairs officer from the 2nd Brigade about unexploded ordnance BALAD RUZ – Iraqi Army soldiers from the 6th Battalion Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division. “These guys are in rd this for the long haul and want to see the insurgents rooted and the U.S. Army’s 3 Brigade Engineer Company gave out and stopped.” classes to local children at three schools on the hazards of The soldier was treated by Iraqi Army and Coalition medi- unexploded ordnance May 4 in Balad Ruz. The soldiers cal personnel. (10th Mountain Division Public Affairs) taught the children how to report any unexploded ordnance they may find and safety measures in dealing with them. (Task Force Liberty Public Affairs) Terrorist suspects arrested UROBA – Iraqi police arrested a man April 29 who con- fessed to firing two rockets the day before in Kirkuk Prov- Iraqis work on border forts ince. He also informed Iraqi police about four others who in Diyala Province participated in terrorist activities, including a car bombing in DIYALA – A contracting company and local contractors are front of the police academy and at a funeral procession the renovating seven forts and constructing four more along next day which killed multiple police officers. the Iraq-Iran border in Diyala Province. These forts will pro- The man led police to their home, where Iraqi police de- vide additional security to the local population and the bor- tained two men. Police confiscated letters, videotapes, der. Each fort provides offices and living space for up to 40 award medals, a camera, pictures, documents and a pair of border police. (Task Force Liberty Public Affairs) binoculars found in a chicken coop. The detainees had multiple tattoos that are indicative of loyalty to Saddam Hussein. Officials took the detainees and evidence back to Terrorists confess on Iraqi Bahim Awa for processing. (Task Force Liberty Public Af- weekly talk show fairs) KIRKUK – Two terrorists’ confessions were aired on the Iraqi Media Network May 1 in Kirkuk. The chief of police in Kirkuk stated the security situation in Kirkuk is generally Iraqi, Coalition soldiers distribute stable. The commander of the Iraqi elite security unit dis- school supplies to local students cussed nine training classes underway and thanked the AL ABARRA – Soldiers from the 213th Battalion of the Iraqi public for providing information. (Task Force Liberty Public Army and Task Force Liberty distributed school supplies Affairs) and gave English lessons to classes in Kharnabat girls school in Diyala Province April 26. They also assessed the needs of teachers and students. (Task Force Liberty Public Munitions left along Iraq, Iran Affairs) border cleaned up by DBE EASTERN DIYALA PROVINCE – Iraq’s Department of Border Enforcement continues to work with Soldiers from Oil security battalions meet to Task Force Liberty’s 278th Regimental Combat Team on discuss security Operation Clean Sweep along the border of Iraq and Iran. BAYJI – Members of the 4th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th Oil Security The mission is to clean up and remove artillery shells, Battalions, Oil refinery security and an Iraqi Air Force liai- mines and weapons left along the border from the war with son met May 3 in Bayji to discuss security of the oil pipe- Iran in the 1980s. The munitions are a threat to the resi- lines in that area. The meeting brought together nearly all dents of the area and can be used to create improvised the oil security forces, allowing them to coordinate their explosive devices. (Task Force Liberty Public Affairs)

May 7, 2005 Multi-National Security Transition Command—Iraq The Advisor 9 Iraqi Security Forces / In Brief

Border Enforcement gives back Iraqi police officers repel attack to communities with Coalition aid BAGHDAD – Iraqi Police officers stood their ground and CHOARTA – The Choarta Department of Border Enforce- returned fire when insurgents attacked their station with ment, with assistance from Task Force Liberty Soldiers small arms fire May 1. st th from 1 Battalion, 148 Field Artillery, distributed kerosene The police officers were assisted in repelling the attack heaters to schools and health clinics throughout the district by a Coalition unit. Iraqi police officers and soldiers pur- April 22 in Province. The department sued two attackers when they tried to flee the scene, cap- handed out 75 heaters within three days. turing them inside two nearby buildings. One insurgent In Penjwin, the DBE distributed soccer goals to schools was treated by Coalition medics for a gunshot wound to April 23 in conjunction with Task Force Liberty Soldiers the arm. The Iraqi police took custody of the suspects and st th from the 1 Battalion, 148 Field Artillery. Coalition Forces detained them for questioning. constructed the goals from scrap lumber. (Task Force Lib- erty Public Affairs) Joint search uncovers munitions Kirkuk youth discovers, QAYARRAH – Iraqi Army soldiers working with Coalition forces discovered a large munitions cache here May 1. reports IED to police The cache consisted of 611 57mm mortar rounds and 25 KIRKUK – A young boy observed a group of individuals 100-pound bags of propellant. placing an improvised explosive device in Kirkuk May 1, and reported it to local police. Iraqi police and Coalition forces disabled the device with a robot. (Task Force Lib- Citizen tips assist in IED, erty Public Affairs) weapon discoveries BAGHDAD – Acting on information from a citizen, Iraqi Coffee shop arrests net Army soldiers conducted an early morning raid May 3 that netted numerous weapons and munitions. suspected insurgents Soldiers with the 1st Battalion, 1st Brigade of the 6th Iraqi BAGHDAD – Intelligence information prompted Iraqi police Division discovered a suicide belt, two rocket-propelled officers to raid a coffee shop, where they arrested the shop grenades, two PKC automatic rifles, an anti-personnel owner and several others and confiscated a computer and rocket-propelled grenade, three anti-armor grenades and several CDs. 1,500 rounds of PKC ammunition. Officers from the Zuhour police station discovered insur- In , Iraqi police discovered an improvised explo- gents were using the shop to plan their attacks, prompting sive device May 2 after receiving information from a civil- the recent raid. Coalition military police are working with ian. An Iraqi explosive ordnance disposal team removed Iraqi police to investigate the group. the IED, comprised of dynamite and other explosive mate- rials.

Commando raid uncovers Looking back documents, weapons SALMAN PAK – Iraqi commandos discovered critical in- One year ago in Iraq surgent documents, weapons and a possible execution location during an early morning raid here May 2. U.S. Army Pfc. Lynndie England -- the woman seen The 2nd Battalion, 1st Iraqi special police commandos smiling next to naked Iraqi prisoners in several pho- discovered significant documents with names of foreign tographs that sparked outrage around the world -- fighters and anti-Iraqi force members during the raid. The was charged Friday (May 7, 2004) by the military with commandos also confiscated four hand grenades, four assaulting Iraqi detainees and conspiring to mistreat machine gun ammunition belts, one AK-47 automatic rifle, them. one mortar, three mortar rounds, rocket-propelled gre- England pleaded guilty last week to her role in the nades and six vehicles in various stages of construction for Abu Ghraib prison scandal, but the presiding judge use as vehicle borne improvised explosive devices. Addi- threw out a plea agreement England made with prose- tional IED materials, auto painting equipment, tools and cutors and declared a mistrial. Prosecutors will now spare parts were found with the VBIED Jeep Cherokee, have to file new charges that could lead to another KIA Sonata, KIA Minivan, Hyundai Minivan, unspecified Article 32 hearing, the military version of a prelimi- minivan and bicycle. nary hearing. Commandos also uncovered a location that may have been used to execute people. The house contained knives, bloody clothing and bags.

May 7, 2005 Multi-National Security Transition Command—Iraq The Advisor 10 Iraqi Security Forces / In Brief

Iraqi Security Forces found or took control of a number of Iraqi forces raid house, arrest 13 IEDs elsewhere in the country May 4, including: – Iraqi Army soldiers and Karbala police officers conducted a joint raid on a targeted house here May 1 and A soldier with the 213th Battalion of the Iraqi Army arrested 13 men believed to be members of Muqtada al- • found an IED made with a hard-wired 122mm projectile Sadr’s Mahdi Militia who were engaging in anti-Iraqi activi- near the intersection of two roads in Mansuriyah. EOD ties. cleared the scene. The raid also uncovered 20 AK-47 automatic rifles and a large amount of medicine. • In Baqubah, an Iraqi explosive ordnance disposal team cleared an area of an IED made with a 155mm round wired Police stop cow with explosives to explode with a remote control. BABIL – Iraqi police officers discovered a cow strapped • A citizen tip led Iraqi police to an IED northwest of with explosives roaming a field near their Al Iman police Khan Bani Sa’ad. The device consisted of two 155mm station recently. rounds, one of which exploded while officers were securing Police officers killed the cow and an Iraqi explosive ord- the area. No injuries or damage was reported. An Iraqi nance disposal unit destroyed the munitions. EOD team disposed of the second round. A patrol of Iraqi police officers discovered four IEDs in Ad Joint search nets insurgents Duluiyah, near Balad. The patrol dismantled the IEDs, which were destroyed by an EOD team. DIYARA – A joint search between Iraqi and Coalition forces May 2 secured 53 suspected insurgents, several of whom were named targets. The raid was conducted by Iraqi soldiers with the 507th Battalion, the Hilla SWAT team, and Coalition troops. Iraqi equipment rollup

Operation brings in 12 suspects A look at some of the equipment delivered MISRAQ – A cordon and search operation by 450 Iraqi po- to the Iraqi Security Forces this week lice commandos and 240 Iraqi soldiers in northern Iraq May 2 resulted in the detainment of 13 suspected insurgents. The commandos and soldiers with the 106th Battalion, 3rd Ammunition…………. 2.9 million rounds Brigade, 2nd Iraqi Division, working with Coalition forces, detained the suspects and secured 13 AK-47 automatic AK-47s………………………………...3,400 rifles near the Borsa Market.

Sniper rifles………………………………..4 Police raid terrorist cell BASRAH – A raid by Iraqi police here May 1 netted several suspected terrorists and a number of weapons and muni- M72 grenades………………………..7,512 tions. The police raid was prompted by information from the Individual body armor……….……..3,860 Intelligence Directorate of Basrah. Officers confiscated two 120mm mortars, one heavy rocket, a tank mine, three ri- Mobile generators………………………..4 fles, 21 hand grenades, a computer and anti-Iraq propa- ganda. Ashok Leylands………………………….91 ISF spot bomb prior to detonation – Iraqi police officers here spotted a car Chevy Luminas………………………..…33 loaded with explosives before it was able to detonate May 4. Nissan Cabstars…………………………..2 The white Chevrolet Malibu was parked on the side of a road when the officers found it. The back seat held four 125mm rounds and a remote firing device. In the trunk, 5-ton trucks………………………………..4 officers discovered three rounds ranging in sizes from 122mm to 155mm, a fuel can and a propane tank packed 2 1/2-ton trucks……………………………7 with explosives. The trunk munitions were connected with detonation cord and wired to a 6 volt battery with an an- tenna. — Information provided by MNSTC-I J-4 An explosive ordnance disposal team destroyed the car.

May 7, 2005 Multi-National Security Transition Command—Iraq The Advisor 11 Iraqi Security Forces / In Brief

Ghazaliya district. The patrol entered the house and found Operations net 21 suspects a weapons cache consisting of 25 feet of detonation cord, – Iraqi soldiers conducting three separate opera- two nine volt batteries and three hand grenades. The Sol- tions May 4 detained 21 suspects, including a target diers detained the man for questioning. known as Omar the Butcher and another known for mak- Another U.S. unit in west Baghdad also found a weap- ing improvised explosive devices, according to multina- ons cache hidden in a warehouse in the Ameriyah tional forces reports. st neighborhood. The Soldiers found 36 AK-47 assault rifles, Iraqi Army soldiers with the 101 Battalion conducted a a bullet-riddled car, four vests and 12 radios. cordon and search operation and captured one suspect Later in the day, an Iraqi civilian provided information to while he was having a meeting at a coffee house. Informa- U.S. Soldiers that led to the capture of a terrorist specifi- tion the soldiers gathered from that location led them to cally targeted for engaging Coalition forces with sniper fire. another targeted area, where they detained four others. (Task Force Baghdad Public Affairs) With additional information learned at that location, the soldiers went on to capture a wanted insurgent known as Omar the Butcher. The operation, conducted with Coalition 180 graduate from police courses forces, netted 18 suspects. BAGHDAD – The Iraqi Police Service graduated 180 po- In another area of Mosul, soldiers with the 106th Battalion lice officers from advanced and specialty courses at the of the Iraqi Army, caught two men who matched the de- Adnan Training Facility May 5, as part of the Iraqi govern- scriptions of wanted terrorists during a raid of the Sheik Al ment’s ongoing effort to train its security forces. Fathi neighborhood. The courses consist of Basic Criminal Investigations with A man identified as a producer of IEDs was captured 62 graduates, Interview and Interrogations with 39 gradu- during a raid in another area of Mosul by Iraqi Intervention ates, Internal Controls Investigation with 29 graduates, Force soldiers with the 1st and 2nd companies of the 23rd Critical Incident Management with 29 graduates, and First Battalion, 6th Brigade of the 1st Division. Line Supervision with 21 graduates. The Basic Criminal Investigation course covers topics such as theft, burglary, arson, robbery, sexual offenses, ISF seize suspects, weapons and homicide investigation. Participants also receive in- BAGHDAD – Iraqi Security Forces captured 14 suspected struction and hands-on training in fingerprinting, photogra- terrorists, found two weapons caches and saved the lives phy, tool marks and plaster casting techniques. To date, of multi-national forces and innocent civilians when they 1,544 police officers have completed this course. stopped an attempted car bombing here. The Interviews & Interrogations course covers advanced Iraqi Police officers on patrol in the Wehda district of interview and interrogation techniques and includes in- central Baghdad spotted a dark blue Hyundai with the win- struction on the preservation and protection of human dows blown out. The police investigated and found explo- rights, and the importance of ethical behavior during inter- sives in the car. The police cordoned off the area and an views and interrogations. To date, 281 students have com- Iraqi explosives team disposed of the bomb. pleted this course. Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 1st Iraqi Army Brigade, 6th Internal Controls provides training on how to deal with Iraqi Army Division conducted a sweep for weapons personnel complaints and allegations, as well as police caches and anti-Iraq forces in the Harbiya district of central conduct in general. Training includes the processing of Baghdad. In a little over an hour, the Iraqi soldiers de- complaints and conducting follow-up investigations to de- tained 10 suspects and found a cache of 50 rocket- termine the facts of allegations made against members of propelled grenades, three rocket-propelled grenade the Iraqi Police Service. There have been 610 officers who launchers and four types of explosives. The suspects and have previously graduated from this course. weapons were taken into custody. Critical Incident Management is designed to provide par- Iraqi Army and Task Force Baghdad soldiers found four ticipants with the understanding of and application skills for armor piercing, rocket-propelled grenade rounds con- managing critical incidents. One hundred, seventy-five stu- cealed by a light cover of soil while conducting a joint pa- dents have previously completed this course. trol in southwest Baghdad. First-Line Supervision focuses on major leadership areas Further investigation led the soldiers to three suspects for front line supervisors including human rights training, and a weapons cache containing more than 5,000 rounds ethics and corruption, policing in a democracy, and inter- of small arms ammunition, two rockets and detonation personal skills critical to effective leadership. To date, 305 cord. They also found initiators, remote detonation de- students have previously graduated from this course. vices, wire and cordless phones which could be used to Officers who participated in these courses previously detonate bombs. The three suspects were taken into cus- completed either an eight-week basic training course for tody for questioning. new recruits or a three-week ‘transitional integration pro- In combat operations in west Baghdad, Task Force gram’ course designed for prior-service officers. Baghdad Soldiers patrolling in west Baghdad noticed a The police officers will immediately report back for con- man acting suspiciously prior to entering a house in the tinued duty at their respective stations.

May 7, 2005 Multi-National Security Transition Command—Iraq The Advisor 12