Post by lance1205 on Jan 8, 2008 18:43:02 GMT -5
Weekly Update
Lance Cogan
Well folks it has been a busy week. Out of the many articles I read this week, from various sources, it was hard to pick out the best news to go on here. So many excellent things are taking place. But for the most part I will try to stick to the important stuff so I don’t lose your interest.
The American Forces Press Service released an article yesterday pertaining to the Iraqi police force, and their taking over the Anbar province. Which if I am not mistaken is the province in which Baghdad is located. “The Marines of 2nd Platoon, Company A, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 2, have completely pulled out of Command Outpost Baghdadi…In a monumental step toward Iraqi sovereignty, the Baghdadi police force has taken sole responsibility of security within the city limits -- the first to do so in all of Anbar Province.” Adam Johnston, USMC. Now this is some of the best news yet, but you can bet your bottom dollar you wont hear it on your faithful drive by media. This is the first of, hopefully, many steps in getting Iraq free and liberated to stand on their own two feet. This is how we are going to be able to pull out of Iraq, by patiently turning over Iraq to it’s people as they are ready to receive. Now Iraq still has a ways to go and from what I have gathered the Iraqi police are in 100% control of Baghdadi, but our military at this point is still standing by ready to assist in an emergency. But it will be a great great victory if Baghdadi can stand alone with out our help. If we ever want to get out of there these are the victories we are going to have to have to do so.
Also it is being said that violence is easing in southern Iraq. Army Col. Charles Flynn spoke to Pentagon reporters via teleconference from his headquarters at Coalition Operating Base Adder at Talil Air Base near Nasiriyah, Iraq. He stated security in southern Iraq is stable and improving. Jaysh al-Mahdi, a militia formed by Shiia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, has lost significant public support in the region. Flynn also said that since July, attacks on coalition and Iraqi bases have steadily declined.
Flynn’s brigade is working with Iraqi allies to reduce improvised explosive device attacks. They are also working to build combat outposts along the supply routes, and to develop strong partnerships with Iraqi army and police units in the region. They also reached out to Iraqi civilians to organize road crews known as Community Transportation Improvement Teams throughout southern Iraq. The crews clean and maintain highways. Flynn said, “We have multiple contracts covering nearly 800 kilometers of highway,” he said. “These crews remove debris, fill in holes, and their mere presence has reduced the ability of EFP and IED cells to operate.”
In addition to that a Sewer Project is under way that is helping the Baghdad Community Clean Up its Streets
36 miles of sewer pipe has been installed in Kamaliya, and 10 pump stations. The largest of the pumps can move up to 2000 cubic yards of water per hour. The Iraqi people are very supportive of the pipeline. “They were using slit trenches and wading through raw sewage to get to their homes..” Said Iraqi Engineer Mustafa Haddad, Army Corps Of Engineers, “Wee need to KEEP making things better and some day SOON Iraq will turn the corner.” (emphasis added)
Story address: www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=48564
Lance Cogan
Well folks it has been a busy week. Out of the many articles I read this week, from various sources, it was hard to pick out the best news to go on here. So many excellent things are taking place. But for the most part I will try to stick to the important stuff so I don’t lose your interest.
The American Forces Press Service released an article yesterday pertaining to the Iraqi police force, and their taking over the Anbar province. Which if I am not mistaken is the province in which Baghdad is located. “The Marines of 2nd Platoon, Company A, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 2, have completely pulled out of Command Outpost Baghdadi…In a monumental step toward Iraqi sovereignty, the Baghdadi police force has taken sole responsibility of security within the city limits -- the first to do so in all of Anbar Province.” Adam Johnston, USMC. Now this is some of the best news yet, but you can bet your bottom dollar you wont hear it on your faithful drive by media. This is the first of, hopefully, many steps in getting Iraq free and liberated to stand on their own two feet. This is how we are going to be able to pull out of Iraq, by patiently turning over Iraq to it’s people as they are ready to receive. Now Iraq still has a ways to go and from what I have gathered the Iraqi police are in 100% control of Baghdadi, but our military at this point is still standing by ready to assist in an emergency. But it will be a great great victory if Baghdadi can stand alone with out our help. If we ever want to get out of there these are the victories we are going to have to have to do so.
Also it is being said that violence is easing in southern Iraq. Army Col. Charles Flynn spoke to Pentagon reporters via teleconference from his headquarters at Coalition Operating Base Adder at Talil Air Base near Nasiriyah, Iraq. He stated security in southern Iraq is stable and improving. Jaysh al-Mahdi, a militia formed by Shiia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, has lost significant public support in the region. Flynn also said that since July, attacks on coalition and Iraqi bases have steadily declined.
Flynn’s brigade is working with Iraqi allies to reduce improvised explosive device attacks. They are also working to build combat outposts along the supply routes, and to develop strong partnerships with Iraqi army and police units in the region. They also reached out to Iraqi civilians to organize road crews known as Community Transportation Improvement Teams throughout southern Iraq. The crews clean and maintain highways. Flynn said, “We have multiple contracts covering nearly 800 kilometers of highway,” he said. “These crews remove debris, fill in holes, and their mere presence has reduced the ability of EFP and IED cells to operate.”
In addition to that a Sewer Project is under way that is helping the Baghdad Community Clean Up its Streets
36 miles of sewer pipe has been installed in Kamaliya, and 10 pump stations. The largest of the pumps can move up to 2000 cubic yards of water per hour. The Iraqi people are very supportive of the pipeline. “They were using slit trenches and wading through raw sewage to get to their homes..” Said Iraqi Engineer Mustafa Haddad, Army Corps Of Engineers, “Wee need to KEEP making things better and some day SOON Iraq will turn the corner.” (emphasis added)
Story address: www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=48564