June 11, 2005 www.mnstci.iraq.centcom.mil Are the ISF trained and ready? MNSTC-I Commander continues to assess capabilities of the Iraqi Security Forces Vol. 2 Issue 24 Project pays tribute to fallen servicemembers June 11, 2005 bushed while patrolling Afghanistan's By Steven Donald Smith mountainous Konar province. American Forces Press Service The ceremony took place at the MNSTC-I WASHINGTON – A nationwide pro- Shelbyville Court House, where the Commanding General ject is under way to pay lasting trib- Nashville Marine Corps Reserve unit U.S. Army ute to fallen servicemembers in their provided a 21-gun salute, and Lt. Gen. David H. Petraeus hometowns. McClenney was posthumously awarded the Silver Star. Command Sergeant Major The "Statues of Servicemen" cam- U.S. Marine Corps paign is an effort to immortalize McClenney's commanding officer, Lt. Sgt. Maj. Ronnie L. Edwards every American servicemember Col. Julian D. Alford, presented the killed in the war on terrorism by cre- medal to McClenney's father, Randy Public Affairs Officer ating a bronze statue of their like- McClenney. U.S. Army ness. Lt. Col. Frederick Wellman “His life was lived as an example of The statues will be placed in the Deputy Public Affairs Officers decency, and his death a costly price hometowns of the fallen service- U.S. Army for freedom," Alford said. "His fellow Capt. Larry George members. Marines continue to feel his ab- sence, and they will never be the U.S. Army "These statues will be placed in city same. But they are more committed Capt. Tim Jeffers and town halls and government to the causes of liberty." buildings throughout the United Operations NCO States to memorialize the brave men "This medal means so much to me," U.S. Army and women who have given their Randy McClenney said. "It's some- Sgt. 1st Class Allen R. Thomas lives in the war on terror," said Sam thing I can look at every day and Patterson, national SOS project di- think of my son." Editor rector. U.S. Army Sgt. Lorie Jewell Regarding the statue, Randy The organization began in March McClenney said, "I am sure my son 2004 as "Survivors of Servicemen," CPATT Public Affairs Liaison would have been deeply touched by with the goal of bringing attention to Ann Bertucci your gift to his family and the city of the trauma inflicted on the families of Shelbyville." those killed, and to highlight the fi- The Advisor is an authorized publication for nancial distress faced by many mili- The second statue, this one depict- members of the U.S. Defense Department and tary families. multinational partners. ing Marine Capt. Brent Morel, was Contents of this paper are not necessarily the unveiled May 21 in Memphis, Tenn. official views of the U.S. government, The group began selling "Wear multinational partners or the U.S. Dept. of Camo" wristbands to raise money for Morel was killed April 7, 2004, when Defense. The editorial content of this publication families who lost loved ones. The is the responsibility of the Multi-National Security insurgents ambushed his platoon wristbands were so successful that while they escorted a convoy in Transition Command - Iraq Public Affairs Office. they decided to use the proceeds to Iraq’s Anbar province. He was Direct questions and comments to: fund the statue campaign, Patterson awarded the Navy Cross and is [email protected] said. nominated for the Medal of Honor. MNSTC-I PAO APO AE 09316 The first statue was unveiled in Shel- "I know that what he was doing was DPN: 318-852-1334 byville, Tenn., on April 22 with the noble and right. It was what he had bust of Marine Corps Pfc. Daniel To subscribe to The Advisor, been trained to do and something he visit us online at: McClenney. He was killed on June chose to do," said Brent's father, www.mnstci.iraq.centcom.mil/advisor 24, 2004, when his unit was am- Mike Morel. Cover: Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 4th Iraqi Army Division con- “All great things are simple, and many can be ex- duct a tactical marksmanship exercise at pressed in single words: freedom, justice, honor, their base camp in Al Miqdadiyah June 4. Photo by U.S. Army Capt. Larry George duty, mercy, hope.” Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965) June 11, 2005 Multi-National Security Transition Command—Iraq The Advisor 2 Iraqi Security Force training is commander’s priority By U.S. Army Capt. Larry George MNSTC-I Public Affairs BAGHDAD, Iraq – Most critical queries in reference to the war in Iraq always seem to work their way back to the main question – what is the timetable for pulling Coalition troops from Iraq? Numerous U.S. officials, to include President George W. Bush, have stated as soon as possible. And as soon as possible depends in large measure upon the Iraqis capabil- ity to fight the battle against the insurgency and provide se- curity for their country. That is exactly the priority tasking for the Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq and U.S. Army Lt. Gen. David H. Petraeus, commanding gen- The leadership of the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 4th Iraqi Army Division provide eral. a briefing to U.S. Army Lt. Gen. David H. Petraeus and other officials at their base camp in Al Miqdadiyah June 4. Photo by U.S. Army Capt. Larry George Petraeus routinely travels throughout Iraq to personally check on all aspects of the organization, equipping, training The Iraqi battalion commander briefed two specific opera- and mentoring of Iraqi Security Forces. A day-long trip June tions in detail which included an Iraqi planned and executed 4 was just another example of the commanding general’s mission that synchronized four separate strikes simultane- continued assessment of ISF’s progress in securing condi- ously to counter insurgent communications. He stated that tions for Iraq’s future. the swift action of the mission resulted in the capture of 14 suspected insurgents and gave laudable credit to the coop- The day’s first stop was to visit the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Bri- eration of the local sheiks. gade, 4th Iraqi Army Division in Al Miqdadiyah. The battal- ion’s base camp is located in Diyala Province, approxi- “We are trying to increase the confidence of the local peo- mately 30 miles northeast of the city of Ba’qubah and 40 ple to work with the Iraqi Army,” stated the 2nd Battalion miles west of the Iranian border. commander through an interpreter. “We will continue opera- tions based on intelligence and local cooperation.” Since Petraeus’ schedule had not allowed him the opportu- nity to visit the Iraqi base for the last six months, he was Although Petraeus was pleased by the content of the brief- immediately impressed with the progress made at the ings, he was more encouraged by the sound training pro- camp. “You have come a long way since I was here last gram and the Iraqi battalion’s initiative in the organization of time,” Petraeus told the Iraqi and Coalition leadership, as the battalion. he shook hands with Iraqi troops ready for inspection. He instantly made reference to the building that housed the “You should be very proud of what you have accom- unit’s operations center and noted how pleased he was with plished,” said Petraeus. He noted that the leadership’s the facility and the creation of special mission forces, information gathering Iraqi staff. and mechanized platoons were impressive undertakings. Petraeus also noted his appreciation to the Iraqi Sergeant The Iraqi battalion Major for the concentrated development of the battalion’s leadership con- noncommissioned officer corps. ducted a short briefing that con- “The 2/2 has done a great job in emphasizing the impor- centrated on the tance of the NCO,” said U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. recent operations Felix Nobles, 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Battalion. The unit the unit had con- has been training with their Iraqi counterpart battalion since ducted. They up- January and has seen a marked improvement, he added. dated the com- mander on recent The Iraqi battalion conducted live fire marksmanship and mission successes mechanized platoon training exercises before the com- to include num- mander departed to the next stop of the day. Before board- bers of weekly ing the helicopter, Petraeus provided some guidance to the Soldiers from the mechanized platoon, 2nd Battal- ion, 2nd Brigade, 4th Iraqi Army Division secure patrols, and cap- suspected terrorists captured from a building dur- tured terrorists ing a training exercise at their Al Miqdadiyah base See ‘ISF training’ camp June 4. Photo by U.S. Army Capt. Larry George and caches. Page 4 June 11, 2005 Multi-National Security Transition Command—Iraq The Advisor 3 ISF training From Page 3 Iraqi and Coalition leadership and again reinforced the great efforts that have been accomplished. The next stop was at Camp Kalsu, approxi- mately 45 miles south of Baghdad. Petraeus stepped off the helicopter and was immediately met by officials to include Iraqi Emergency Response Unit members perform a hostage rescue training Police Chief Qais of exercise at Camp Dublin June 4. Photo by U.S. Army Capt. Larry George Babil Province. Qais is highly respected The final leg of the trip was near Baghdad International Air- U.S. Army Lt. Gen. David H. Petraeus observes and admired by both port to observe an Iraqi Special Operations Force demon- Iraqi police marksmanship training at Camp Coalition and Iraqi stration and special police training at Camp Dublin. Kalsu June 4. Photo by U.S. Army Capt.