Good Things Happening In Iraq

[Viper2]

Hey, all we get from the liberal left-wing media is body counts and bombings, 24/7/365.

I for one feel that if the American public would be given the other side of what's happening in Iraq, perhaps many would not be so angry.

So, I will start posting some of these articles for your consideration.

Most of these will be old in date - however, since you've not seen them previously, I'll post them anyway.



http://www.centcom.mil/sites/uscentcom1/FrontPage%20Stories/Community%20celebrates%20renovation%20of%20school. aspx

Community celebrates renovation of school
IA, MND-B Soldiers provide school supplies to children

By Spc. Rodney Foliente
4th Inf. Div. PAO

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Soldiers from the Iraqi army and Multi-National Division – Baghdad surprised between 400-500 children of Al Hudaybiya Elementary School April 23 with free school supplies during a celebration to mark the completion of the school’s renovations in Bakaria, within the Gazaliyah neighborhood, located southwest of Baghdad.

Troops from 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, visited the school they supported throughout the reconstruction project to distribute school supply packages.

Assisting them were soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, in addition to Soldiers from Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 1st BCT, 10th Mtn. Div., and from Company A, 448th Civil Affairs Battalion, which is attached to 4th Infantry Division.

“We’re doing this to provide for the educational welfare of the people of Gazaliyah and the children of Al Hudaybiyah School,� said Capt. Mark Taum, a Honolulu native and team leader with Co. A, 448th CA.

Education and academics is a key line of operation civil affairs Soldiers focus on, which helps to improve conditions for the Iraqi people, said Taum.

“This application shows the village and surrounding people of Bakaria that despite combat operations, the Coalition and (Iraqi security forces) can also enhance the welfare of the neighborhood,� he said.

The reconstruction took around 40 days to complete and cost approximately $62,000. It was funded by the 1-87 Inf. commander’s emergency relief program, which provides immediate assistance to the populace, said Capt. Nick Armstrong, effects coordinator, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1-87 Inf.

Soldiers from 1-87 Inf. noticed the school was in dire need and requested reconstruction funds for the school, said Taum. A civil affairs team then assessed the school and verified the need. Local contractors were chosen for the project, added Armstrong, “which helps put the money in the pockets of the local economy.�

Some of the renovations included setting up the school yard and soccer field, revamping the electric and plumbing, putting in new bathrooms, tiling, painting the exterior and interior, and repairs to the ceiling, windows and doors, said Ghanim, headmaster for the school, through a translator.

The school supplies students received were donated by the Family Readiness Group of 1st BSTB, 1-10th Mtn. Div., from the unit’s home station, Fort Drum, N.Y., said Armstrong.

One young male student pointed at his chest and then pointed at the chest of one of the Iraqi soldiers, telling a U.S. Soldier, “It’s good,� before receiving his supplies. The Iraqi soldier patted the boy on his shoulder and returned his smile.

“It helps to show that the Iraqi army cares about the local population, the children, their safety and well-being,� said Armstrong.

Such events reassure the locals and helps gain their support in cleaning up their neighborhoods and making them safer, added Taum. The students represent Iraq’s future and events like this help reassure them of their government and provide hope for a better tomorrow.

“I am very happy because you fix our school and our country,� said Ali, a fourth grader at the school, through a translator. He also proudly held up his new school supplies, pointing excitedly.

The children put on a loud and boisterous performance which included the singing of the Iraqi national anthem for the Soldiers, and engaged Soldiers in conversation, high-fives, antics, smiles and laughter.

“Seeing and hearing the Iraqi children sing and show their appreciation is a benefit of doing these missions,� said Taum. “Having an event where the school officials and the Iraqi army work together sets the conditions for future humanitarian missions and greater cooperation.�

Imeena, a teacher at the school, expressed her thanks to the Iraqi government and the American Soldiers, adding that the children and teachers have more hope for the future.

“I was very glad by what happened today,� said Ghanim. “The neighborhood is very pleased about the renovations done on this school. This project will strengthen our bonds.

“I entered education because of my love of teaching and of the children. Those kids will grow up and they will be the future

[Thirdparty]

It is important to hear the good stories i saw myself there and we never hear from the US media.

[NortheastCynic]

Let me preface this by saying that this article does, in fact, reveal some good news....BUT...If this is the best news I hear out of Iraq today or this week for that matter, then we are in some serious trouble. We built a school and gave children learning materials...Great, I don't know about you, but that sure does make me forget that we're in the middle of a civil war that will [IMO] result in a less than democratic government in Iraq. Good to hear, but utterly disproportionate to the terrible situation that we are in right now.

-NC

[Flea_Bit_Monkey]

The only good news out of Iraq will be when we completely withdraw our troops!

[Thirdparty]

The only good news out of Iraq will be when we completely withdraw our troops!


Boy, I am sure glad you were not in my unit over there.

[Thirdparty]

Let me preface this by saying that this article does, in fact, reveal some good news....BUT...If this is the best news I hear out of Iraq today or this week for that matter, then we are in some serious trouble. We built a school and gave children learning materials...Great, I don't know about you, but that sure does make me forget that we're in the middle of a civil war that will [IMO] result in a less than democratic government in Iraq. Good to hear, but utterly disproportionate to the terrible situation that we are in right now.

-NC


Well, having just come back from there, there are many, many more stories like that than you ever here on any media outlet, including Fox.

Any given day, in any part of the world, I think people are inherently more good than bad.

Except for the f*#*#*#* terrorists, who have no regard for human life and screw us all up.

I wonder why those idiots value life so little?

[lily]

Most of these will be old in date



Well, you see that right there is the problem. There is NO date on this article. Was it written before the bombing of the Golden Mosques or after? Is the school still standing?

Thirdparty wrote:
Well, having just come back from there, there are many, many more stories like that than you ever here on any media outlet, including Fox.

I mean no offense to you TP........but just how much sight seeing did you get to do? From what I understood, you were really busy while you were there.

[Drocket]

There is NO date on this article. Was it written before the bombing of the Golden Mosques or after? Is the school still standing?

Actually, there is, sorta: April 23rd. Of course, it doesn't specify what year...

Assuming that its 2006: since that time, approximately 10,000 Iraqis and 500 American soldiers were killed in the ongoing civil war, and American taxpayers (or at least their grandchildren...) paid 100 billion dollars to fund the war. But hey, they built a school (which may or may not be the one where the teachers were executed last month for teaching girls.)

Why DOESN'T the media focus on the good stories?

[Oedipus Rex]

http://www.iranfocus.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=9633

BAGHDAD, Dec. 24 2006

The United States is now holding, apparently for the first time, Iranians who it suspects of planning attacks. One senior administration official said, “This is going to be a tense but clarifying moment.�

“It’s our position that the Iraqis have to seize this opportunity to sort out with the Iranians just what kind of behavior they are going to tolerate,� the official said, declining to speak on the record because the details of the raid and investigation were not yet public. “They are going to have to confront the evidence that the Iranians are deeply involved in some of the acts of violence.�

[lily]

This is a rather long article Rex, so I can oly assume that's why you left out:

Gordon D. Johndroe, the spokesman for the National Security Council, said two Iranian diplomats were among those initially detained in the raids. The two had papers showing that they were accredited to work in Iraq, and he said they were turned over to the Iraqi authorities and released. He confirmed that a group of other Iranians, including the military officials, remained in custody while an investigation continued, and he said, “We continue to work with the government of Iraq on the status of the detainees.�

It was unclear what kind of evidence American officials possessed that the Iranians were planning attacks, and the officials would not identify those being held. One official said that “a lot of material� was seized in the raid, but would not say if it included arms or documents that pointed to planning for attacks. Much of the material was still being examined, the official said.

Nonetheless, the two raids, in central Baghdad, have deeply upset Iraqi government officials, who have been making strenuous efforts to engage Iran on matters of security. At least two of the Iranians were in this country on an invitation extended by Iraq’s president, Jalal Talabani, during a visit to Tehran earlier this month. It was particularly awkward for the Iraqis that one of the raids took place in the Baghdad compound of Abdul Aziz al-Hakim, one of Iraq’s most powerful Shiite leaders, who traveled to Washington three weeks ago to meet President Bush.

Over the past four days, the Iraqis and Iranians have engaged in intense behind-the-scenes efforts to secure the release of the remaining detainees. One Iraqi government official said, “The Iranian ambassador has been running around from office to office.�

Iraqi leaders appealed to the American military, including to Gen. George W. Casey Jr., the senior American ground commander in Iraq, to release the Iranians, according to an Iraqi politician familiar with the efforts. The debate about what to do next has also engaged officials in the White House and the State Department. The national security adviser, Stephen J. Hadley, has been fully briefed, officials said, though they would not say what Mr. Bush has been told about the seizure or the identity of the detainees.

[BoogyMan]

This is a rather long article Rex, so I can oly assume that's why you left out:

Gordon D. Johndroe, the spokesman for the National Security Council, said two Iranian diplomats were among those initially detained in the raids. The two had papers showing that they were accredited to work in Iraq, and he said they were turned over to the Iraqi authorities and released. He confirmed that a group of other Iranians, including the military officials, remained in custody while an investigation continued, and he said, “We continue to work with the government of Iraq on the status of the detainees.�

It was unclear what kind of evidence American officials possessed that the Iranians were planning attacks, and the officials would not identify those being held. One official said that “a lot of material� was seized in the raid, but would not say if it included arms or documents that pointed to planning for attacks. Much of the material was still being examined, the official said.

Nonetheless, the two raids, in central Baghdad, have deeply upset Iraqi government officials, who have been making strenuous efforts to engage Iran on matters of security. At least two of the Iranians were in this country on an invitation extended by Iraq’s president, Jalal Talabani, during a visit to Tehran earlier this month. It was particularly awkward for the Iraqis that one of the raids took place in the Baghdad compound of Abdul Aziz al-Hakim, one of Iraq’s most powerful Shiite leaders, who traveled to Washington three weeks ago to meet President Bush.

Over the past four days, the Iraqis and Iranians have engaged in intense behind-the-scenes efforts to secure the release of the remaining detainees. One Iraqi government official said, “The Iranian ambassador has been running around from office to office.�

Iraqi leaders appealed to the American military, including to Gen. George W. Casey Jr., the senior American ground commander in Iraq, to release the Iranians, according to an Iraqi politician familiar with the efforts. The debate about what to do next has also engaged officials in the White House and the State Department. The national security adviser, Stephen J. Hadley, has been fully briefed, officials said, though they would not say what Mr. Bush has been told about the seizure or the identity of the detainees.


Egads Lily, what are you trying to say here? Sure people are upset, the military has caught Iranians in Iraq that they believe are planning attacks. Nothing you highlighted lessened the impact of such a find.

[NortheastCynic]

Well, having just come back from there, there are many, many more stories like that than you ever here on any media outlet, including Fox.

Any given day, in any part of the world, I think people are inherently more good than bad.

Except for the f*#*#*#* terrorists, who have no regard for human life and screw us all up.

I wonder why those idiots value life so little?
Thank you for your service.

I'm not surprised at all to hear that there is more good news going on in Iraq that isn't reported: I attibute this to two factors, bad news sells and the press largely does not want this war to succeed [IMO]. I guess my only point was that this particular piece of good news, while I'm sure is very siginficant to those kids we're helping, is not significant when put in context with all of the bad news occuring there.
As for not valuing life...Two words: Radical Islam.

-NC

[piratemonkey]

Hey, all we get from the liberal left-wing media is body counts and bombings, 24/7/365.


Hmmm.... where have I seen this thread before?
http://patriotdebate.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3743

Viper's tactic is to cut and paste propaganda stories from US Military sources in an effort to show that all is hunky-dory in the hellhole we call Iraq.

To his credit, he actually believes these articles are real proof and have merit.

I like your new name, Grim. It kinda sounds tough! ;)

[Flea_Bit_Monkey]

the military has caught Iranians in Iraq that they believe are planning attacks. Nothing you highlighted lessened the impact of such a find.


The Iranians wouldn't be there if Chimpy hadn't lied and started this useless war that is worse than vietnam!

[Nemo]

What a mess we have made of things.Â*Â*Instead of fostering peace and stability, our invasion and occupation of Iraq has caused instability and conflict in the Middle East, and acted as a catalyst for terrorists and insurgents that now threaten not just our interests but those of other nations.Â*Â*Yet, having failed in Iraq, the Bush administration would wage war on Iran.Â*Â*Do the world’s powers (i.e., Russia and China) stand with us?Â*Â*No.Â*Â*Is it our position to police the world? - To what end?Â*Â*Are we not, by pursuing such a policy, making more enemies than friends?Â*Â*(Can we, a nation now so dependent on other nations, afford to do so?)Â*Â*In the final account, are we more safe - more secure?Â*Â*

“Lord, what fools these mortals be!" Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night's Dream (Act III, scene ii, line 115).

[Thirdparty]

Hey, all we get from the liberal left-wing media is body counts and bombings, 24/7/365.


Hmmm.... where have I seen this thread before?
http://patriotdebate.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3743

Viper's tactic is to cut and paste propaganda stories from US Military sources in an effort to show that all is hunky-dory in the hellhole we call Iraq.

To his credit, he actually believes these articles are real proof and have merit.

I like your new name, Grim.Â*Â*It kinda sounds tough! ;)



Hey Piratemonkey, good to see you again! And what is your qualification for saying that all of Iraq is a hellhole and no good news is coming out of there?

[Thirdparty]

Well, having just come back from there, there are many, many more stories like that than you ever here on any media outlet, including Fox.

Any given day, in any part of the world, I think people are inherently more good than bad.

Except for the f*#*#*#* terrorists, who have no regard for human life and screw us all up.

I wonder why those idiots value life so little?
Thank you for your service.

I'm not surprised at all to hear that there is more good news going on in Iraq that isn't reported: I attibute this to two factors, bad news sells and the press largely does not want this war to succeed [IMO].Â*Â*I guess my only point was that this particular piece of good news, while I'm sure is very siginficant to those kids we're helping, is not significant when put in context with all of the bad news occuring there.Â*Â*
As for not valuing life...Two words: Radical Islam.

-NC


In isolation, no, you are correct, but there are many good things happening there we never hear about, which was my point.

[Thirdparty]

Most of these will be old in date



Well, you see that right there is the problem. There is NO date on this article. Was it written before the bombing of the Golden Mosques or after? Is the school still standing?

Thirdparty wrote:
Well, having just come back from there, there are many, many more stories like that than you ever here on any media outlet, including Fox.

I mean no offense to you TP........but just how much sight seeing did you get to do? From what I understood, you were really busy while you were there.


Lily, you see a lot incountry. A lot of little things, good deeds done by so many of our service men and women. One was recently discussed on NPR about a soldier who lost his life to an IED because he kept going out at night to give a child medicine he would have never had.

Please don't question my schedule when was there. You can debate it and disagree with it, but not everything there is bad as what is made out to be

[NortheastCynic]

In isolation, no, you are correct, but there are many good things happening there we never hear about, which was my point.In that case we are in complete agreement, it is very unfortunate what the media does on a daily basis.

-NC

[piratemonkey]

Thirdparty wrote:
Well, having just come back from there, there are many, many more stories like that than you ever here on any media outlet, including Fox.


Please don't questionÂ*Â*my schedule when was there.

TP,
You can't have it both ways.

If you insist on using your personal, undocumented experiences there as evidence, then we get to question that evidence.

If you don't want us to drill you on your time in Iraq, don't bring it up during discussion and especially don't use it to make your points.Â*Â*If you do, it's fair game.

Many of our servicemen and women in Iraq seem to thing that things aren't going so well:
When the military was feeling most optimistic about the war — in 2004 — 83 percent of poll respondents thought success in Iraq was likely. This year, that number has shrunk to 50 percent.
better yet:
in this year’s poll only 41 percent of the military said the U.S. should have gone to war in Iraq in the first place
http://www.armytimes.com/story.php?f=1-292925-2449372.php

[Waffletush]

in this year’s poll only 41 percent of the military said the U.S. should have gone to war in Iraq in the first place
http://www.armytimes.com/story.php?f=1-292925-2449372.php


Which means 59% DID.

[piratemonkey]

in this year’s poll only 41 percent of the military said the U.S. should have gone to war in Iraq in the first place
http://www.armytimes.com/story.php?f=1-292925-2449372.php


Which means 59% DID.


Did what?Â*Â*Which part of the sentence fragment was unclear?

Here, let me trim down the sentence fragment for you...

"only 41 percent... said the US should have gone to war in Iraq..."

This is a poll done by the Military Times of US service members, hardly liberal-leaning groups.

[Viper2]

It is important to hear the good stories i saw myself there and we never hear from the US media.


Regretfully that is true.

Thank you and your family for your service and sacrifices for our Beloved Nation - you will always be in the hearts and prayers of my family and I.

[Viper2]

Let me preface this by saying that this article does, in fact, reveal some good news....BUT...If this is the best news I hear out of Iraq today or this week for that matter, then we are in some serious trouble.Â*Â*We built a school and gave children learning materials...Great, I don't know about you, but that sure does make me forget that we're in the middle of a civil war that will [IMO] result in a less than democratic government in Iraq.Â*Â*Good to hear, but utterly disproportionate to the terrible situation that we are in right now.

-NC


Consider that this is only the start of posting articles of "good news" - and that you have had 3-1/2 years of listening to the negative. So, perhaps with that in mind, you might wait a while before passing final judgement.

[Viper2]

The only good news out of Iraq will be when we completely withdraw our troops!


Just what I'd expect from a liberal :P:P

[Viper2]

The only good news out of Iraq will be when we completely withdraw our troops!


Boy, I am sure glad you were not in my unit over there.


Amen to that - he would have been shot by friendly fire if he had been in my unit.

[piratemonkey]

The only good news out of Iraq will be when we completely withdraw our troops!


Boy, I am sure glad you were not in my unit over there.


Amen to that - he would have been shot by friendly fire if he had been in my unit.


Threatening to kill people that disagree with your political position.

Good show, Grim.Â*Â*And just what I'd expect from you.

Do you think the 50% of our service members who don't think Iraq is winnable should be shot too?

[Viper2]

There is NO date on this article. Was it written before the bombing of the Golden Mosques or after? Is the school still standing?

Actually, there is, sorta:Â*Â*April 23rd.Â*Â*Of course, it doesn't specify what year...

Assuming that its 2006:Â*Â*since that time, approximately 10,000 Iraqis and 500 American soldiers were killed in the ongoing civil war, and American taxpayers (or at least their grandchildren...) paid 100 billion dollars to fund the war.Â*Â*But hey, they built a school (which may or may not be the one where the teachers were executed last month for teaching girls.)

Why DOESN'T the media focus on the good stories?


Simple:

1 - The hate President Bush ans his administration
2 - The are Liberal, Left-wing agenda minded and directed
3 - Preobably the most important - it doesn't sell so it doesn't increase the $$$$$ bottom-line.

[Viper2]

http://www.iranfocus.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=9633

BAGHDAD, Dec. 24 2006

The United States is now holding, apparently for the first time, Iranians who it suspects of planning attacks. One senior administration official said, “This is going to be a tense but clarifying moment.�

“It’s our position that the Iraqis have to seize this opportunity to sort out with the Iranians just what kind of behavior they are going to tolerate,� the official said, declining to speak on the record because the details of the raid and investigation were not yet public. “They are going to have to confront the evidence that the Iranians are deeply involved in some of the acts of violence.�


Iran has been involved for over 2-1/2 years in the attacks. It is not in their best interest to have two fledgling democratic governments in their region.

[Viper2]

BoogyMan:
Egads Lily, what are you trying to say here? Sure people are upset, the military has caught Iranians in Iraq that they believe are planning attacks. Nothing you highlighted lessened the impact of such a find.

Unless you haven't noticed - lily is against our actions in Iraq even though her political party made thousands of statements conserning the danger of Saddam - and voted to deploy our troops. And she can't stand hearing anything that might be considered positive.

[Viper2]

Before I respond to other posts, let me continue with the reason why I started this thread in the dirst place:

More than 400,000 children receive immunizations
According to a UNICEF report at the end of 2003, more than 3 1/2 million children had been immunized.
School Attendance is up 80%
Again, according to an April, 2004 report from UNICEF, school attendance in Iraq increased by 60 percent shortly after the war to more than 95 percent during the recent national exam week.
More than 1,500 schools renovated
UNICEF says that as of April, 2004, more than 2,500 schools have been renovated with the goal of 4,000 being completed by the end of the year, but 10,000 more need repair.
The Port of Uhm Qasar [sic] renovated so grain can be offloaded faster
In a November, 2003 interview on National Public Radio, Andrew Natsios of the U.S. Agency for International Development said that the port at Umm Qasar, Iraq's largest, is modern and functioning for the first time in 20 years.
Iraqi oil reached 2 billion barrels exported in August of 2003
Iraq sits on the second largest proven crude oil reserves in the world and the flow of oil resumed in August, 2003 amid equipment that needed repair and suffered from looting and attacks from saboteurs.
The initial flow in August, 2003, was 500,000 barrels per day, according to the BBC.
Iraqi oil is subject to the ups and downs of the crude oil market but in April, 2003, more than 2 million barrels a day were being produced, but that has not accumulated to 2 billion.
http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/r/rayreynolds.htm
http://www.pbase.com/sms/iraq&page=all

[Viper2]

lily:
Well, you see that right there is the problem. There is NO date on this article. Was it written before the bombing of the Golden Mosques or after? Is the school still standing?

This bulletin was a pdf file published in August 06 – I forgot to copy down the link at that time.

[Viper2]

Hey, all we get from the liberal left-wing media is body counts and bombings, 24/7/365.


Hmmm.... where have I seen this thread before?
http://patriotdebate.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3743

Viper's tactic is to cut and paste propaganda stories from US Military sources in an effort to show that all is hunky-dory in the hellhole we call Iraq.

To his credit, he actually believes these articles are real proof and have merit.

I like your new name, Grim.Â*Â*It kinda sounds tough! ;)


Okay wiseguy - you say propaganda - then either prove the information incorrect, false or otherwise invalid - or just perhaps admit it does happen - I know that would really hurt you.

In any case I see you still have a severe case of OCTARECTULITIS

[Viper2]

the military has caught Iranians in Iraq that they believe are planning attacks.Â*Â*Nothing you highlighted lessened the impact of such a find.


The Iranians wouldn't be there if Chimpy hadn't lied and started this useless war that is worse than vietnam!


First, he didn't lie

Second, just what in the hell do you know about Nam

[Viper2]

What a mess we have made of things.Â*Â*Instead of fostering peace and stability, our invasion and occupation of Iraq has caused instability and conflict in the Middle East, and acted as a catalyst for terrorists and insurgents that now threaten not just our interests but those of other nations.Â*Â*Yet, having failed in Iraq, the Bush administration would wage war on Iran.Â*Â*Do the world’s powers (i.e., Russia and China) stand with us?Â*Â*No.Â*Â*Is it our position to police the world? - To what end?Â*Â*Are we not, by pursuing such a policy, making more enemies than friends?Â*Â*(Can we, a nation now so dependent on other nations, afford to do so?)Â*Â*In the final account, are we more safe - more secure?Â*Â*

“Lord, what fools these mortals be!" Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night's Dream (Act III, scene ii, line 115).


The instability was prevelant long before we went there, check your Islamic history - that is if you can wade through the blood and guts.

[Viper2]

Thirdparty:
Lily, you see a lot incountry. A lot of little things, good deeds done by so many of our service men and women. One was recently discussed on NPR about a soldier who lost his life to an IED because he kept going out at night to give a child medicine he would have never had.

Please don't question my schedule when was there. You can debate it and disagree with it, but not everything there is bad as what is made out to be

And on that note:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3514504.stm
Survey finds hope in occupied Iraq
The survey, carried out for the BBC and other broadcasters, also suggests many are optimistic about the next 12 months and opposed to violence. Seventy per cent of people said that things were going well or quite well in their lives, while only 29% felt things were bad. And 56% said that things were better now than they were before the war.

http://www.usaid.gov/press/factsheets/2004...4/fs040318.html
USAID Accomplishments in Iraq
USAID has partnered with UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO) and Abt Associates to support health program in Iraq. Since the end of the war, USAID has vaccinated three million Iraqi children under the age of five, administered tetanus vaccine to more than 700,000 pregnant women, and by April 30, 2004 the USAID mission will have provided updated vaccinations to 90 percent of pregnant women and children under five years of age. Other efforts include equipping 600 facilities in seven target governorates to provide essential primary healthcare services, training more than 2,000 primary healthcare providers, and re-establishing the country's vital disease surveillance system. Mobile health teams working with the Ministry of Health have visited more than 2,000 families who do not have normal access to or have not visited primary health care facilities as well.

USAID has over 147 development activities underway or completed which focus on women and children issues, including civil society development as well as initiatives to improve community based communications and advocacy capacity. Approximately 76 percent of the direct beneficiaries of these activities are women. USAID funding has contributed to starting and rehabilitating more than 17 women's centers, shelters, and associations and to provide resources and training to women's rights groups and mobile crisis intervention teams.
USIAD assisted the CPA in creating more than 77,000 public works jobs through the National Employment Program. USAID, working through its partner BearingPoint, provided technical assistance on the implementation of a bank-to-bank payment system that allows 80 banks to send and receive payment instructions. USAID is also managing a $21 million micro-credit program.
To date, USAID has provided more than $104 million in humanitarian assistance to Iraq for coordination, health, nutrition, logistics, shelter, non-food items, support to internally displaced people, and water and sanitation activities. This has been accomplished through ongoing cooperative agreements with NGOs such as the International Medical Corps, International Rescue Committee, CARE, Mercy Corps, Save the Children, and World Vision.

[Viper2]

The following was posted by a participant on another site I used to be part of
(Following information from a friend in another forum who served in Iraq, and recently returned.)

Since President Bush declared an end to major combat on May 1:

The first battalion of the new Iraqi Army has graduated and is on active duty (~60,000 Iraqis providing security to citizens).

Nearly all of Iraq's 400 courts are functioning.

The Iraqi judiciary is fully independent.

Power generation hit 4,518 megawatts (Oct), exceeding prewar output.

All 22 Universities & 43 technical institutes/colleges are open. Nearly all primary and secondary schools are open.

Coalition has "rehabbed" 1,500+ schools (500 ahead of schedule).

Teachers earn from 12-25 times their former salaries.

All 240 hospitals and more than 1200 clinics are open.

Doctors salaries are at least 8 times what they were under Saddam.

Pharmaceutical distribution has gone from almost zero to 12,000 tons.

Coalition has helped administer 22 million+ vaccinations to children.

Coalition has cleared 14,000+km of Iraq's 27,000km of weed-choked canals which now irrigate tens of thousands of farms. This project has created 100,000+ jobs for Iraqi men & women.

Coalition has restored over 3/4 of prewar telephone services and 2/3+ of potable water production.

4,900+ full-service telephone connections (~50,000 by year-end).

Commerce is expanding rapidly (bicycles, satellite dishes, cars, trucks, etc) in all major cities and towns.

95% of all prewar bank customers have service and first-time customers are opening accounts daily.

Iraqi banks are making loans to finance businesses.

The central bank is fully independent.

Iraq has one of the world's most growth-oriented investment and banking laws.

Iraq has a single, unified currency for the first time in 15 years.

Satellite TV dishes are legal.

Foreign journalists are not on "10-day visas" paying mandatory fees to the Ministry of Information for minders. There is no such Ministry.

There are 170+ newspapers.

A nation that had not one single element - legislative, judicial or executive - of a representative government, now does.

In Baghdad alone, residents have selected 88 advisory councils.

Baghdad's democratic transfer of power (1st in 35 years); city council elected its new chairman.

Iraqi Chambers of commerce, businesses, schools and professional organizations are electing their leaders all over the country.

25 ministers, selected by the most representative governing body in Iraq's history, run the day-to-day business of government.

The Iraqi gov't regularly participates in international events.

Since July the Iraqi gov't has been represented in 24+ international meetings, including UN General Assembly, the Arab League, the World Bank, IMF and the Islamic Conference Summit.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that it is reopening 30+ Iraqi embassies worldwide.

Shia religious festivals (all but banned) are no longer illegal.

For the first time in 35 years, in Karbala, thousands of Shiites celebrate the pilgrimage of the 12th Imam.

The Coalition has completed 13,000+ reconstruction projects, large and small, as part of a strategic plan for the reconstruction of Iraq.

Uday and Queasy are dead, and no longer feeding Iraqis to the zoo lions, raping the young daughters of local leaders to force cooperation, torturing Iraq's soccer players for losing games, or murdering critics.

Children aren't imprisoned or murdered when their parents disagree with the government.

Political opponents aren't imprisoned, tortured, executed, maimed, or forced to watch their families die for disagreeing with "Saddam".

As a side effect, in neighboring countries, (1) Saudis will hold
municipal elections, (2) Qatar is reforming education to give more choices to parents, (3) Jordan is accelerating market economic reforms, (4) The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded (first time) to an Iranian (Muslim woman) who speaks out for human rights/democracy & peace.

Saddam is gone.

[Viper2]

In isolation, no, you are correct, but there are many good things happening there we never hear about, which was my point.In that case we are in complete agreement, it is very unfortunate what the media does on a daily basis.

-NC



IMHO, it's not only a lie it's ludicrious

[Buck Laser]

What a mess we have made of things. Instead of fostering peace and stability, our invasion and occupation of Iraq has caused instability and conflict in the Middle East, and acted as a catalyst for terrorists and insurgents that now threaten not just our interests but those of other nations. Yet, having failed in Iraq, the Bush administration would wage war on Iran. Do the world’s powers (i.e., Russia and China) stand with us? No. Is it our position to police the world? - To what end? Are we not, by pursuing such a policy, making more enemies than friends? (Can we, a nation now so dependent on other nations, afford to do so?) In the final account, are we more safe - more secure?

“Lord, what fools these mortals be!" Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night's Dream (Act III, scene ii, line 115).


The instability was prevelant long before we went there, check your Islamic history - that is if you can wade through the blood and guts.


If you'll look at the short history of Iraq as a nation (since about 1925 or so), you'll find that its longest period of stability was during Saddam's regime. Of course, during a significant period of that time, the US supported Saddam as a "friend" because he was the enemy of our enemy.

Personally, I'm opposed to the idea of supporting the enemy of our enemy without further precondition--unfortunately, that's been pretty much the history of US foreign policy in the Americas, and I think it worked pretty poorly, as it did in the middle east.

Jimmy Carter has been the only president in modern history to pursue a different course in the ME, and I think he had some notable success, much of it unfortunately unrecognized these days.

[Viper2]

piratemonkey:
TP,
You can't have it both ways.

If you insist on using your personal, undocumented experiences there as evidence, then we get to question that evidence.

If you don't want us to drill you on your time in Iraq, don't bring it up during discussion and especially don't use it to make your points. If you do, it's fair game.

Yes he can - now even you have the intelligence to know TP is unable to discuss details of any and all missions he was assigned - right ??

Many of our servicemen and women in Iraq seem to thing that things aren't going so well:

Unless you are ignorant - this has been the case in every war that has been waged since the beginning of recorded history.

[Viper2]

in this year’s poll only 41 percent of the military said the U.S. should have gone to war in Iraq in the first place
http://www.armytimes.com/story.php?f=1-292925-2449372.php


Which means 59% DID.


I find this interesting:

For the first time, more troops disapprove of the president’s handling of the war than approve of it. Barely one-third of service members approve of the way the president is handling the war.

Has anyone considered that you are talking to "military personnel", operative word here is "military".

What purpose is there for having a military ??

What training do military personnel receive ??

Has the "military" been given a totally free hand since the ground war began ??

Am I reaching any of you with this ?????

Of course military personell, especially those in a combat-zone are going to be up set when one hand is tied behind their backs.

[Viper2]

http://www.iraqischools.com/photos/index.asp?ShowSub=Schools

http://www.iraqischools.com/photos/index.asp?Page=2&ShowSub=Schools

http://www.iraqischools.com/photos/index.asp?Page=3&ShowSub=Schools

http://www.iraqischools.com/photos/index.asp?Page=4&ShowSub=Schools

http://www.iraqischools.com/photos/index.asp?Page=5&ShowSub=Schools

http://www.iraqischools.com/photos/index.asp?ShowSub=Various

http://www.defendamerica.mil/iraq/rebuilding.html

[Viper2]

The only good news out of Iraq will be when we completely withdraw our troops!


Boy, I am sure glad you were not in my unit over there.


Amen to that - he would have been shot by friendly fire if he had been in my unit.


Threatening to kill people that disagree with your political position.

Good show, Grim.Â*Â*And just what I'd expect from you.

Do you think the 50% of our service members who don't think Iraq is winnable should be shot too?


Showing your ignorance again I see - the situation TP and I refered to has nothing to do with political views - but has everything to do with an actual front-line combat-zone - for which you have absolutely no first-hand experience or knowledge.

[Waffletush]

in this year’s poll only 41 percent of the military said the U.S. should have gone to war in Iraq in the first place
http://www.armytimes.com/story.php?f=1-292925-2449372.php


Which means 59% DID.


Did what?Â*Â*Which part of the sentence fragment was unclear?

Here, let me trim down the sentence fragment for you...

"only 41 percent... said the US should have gone to war in Iraq..."

This is a poll done by the Military Times of US service members, hardly liberal-leaning groups.


Exactly. You are trying to use a poll that shows the MINORITY support your point of view (41%), when I showed the MAJORITY oppose it (59%). You like to ignore that.

[piratemonkey]

Exactly.Â*Â*You are trying to use a poll that shows the MINORITY support your point of view (41%), when I showed the MAJORITY oppose it (59%).Â*Â*You like to ignore that.

Wow.

Please read the above link again.

41% support your point of view, not mine.

Wow.

Let me say this for the 5th time:

Only 41% of military service members SUPPORT the idea that we should have gone to war in Iraq.

Are you all high?Â*Â*Or are you misreading this on purpose?
It boggles the mind, but explains a lot.

[NortheastCynic]

Consider that this is only the start of posting articles of "good news" - and that you have had 3-1/2 years of listening to the negative. So, perhaps with that in mind, you might wait a while before passing final judgement. So what?Â*Â*More school openings?Â*Â*These are good things that I would consider significant, as in something that I can look at and say, "yeah, that's something that was worth it":
1. WMDs found [I doubt very much that Saddamn still didn't have them]
2. Sunni-Shia cease fire.
3.Â*Â*Al-Sadr killed without a violent backlash.

Schools are nice, but even a lot of them aren't going to get me too excited.
Schools and immunizations are great, but that's not why we're there.

PirateMonkey, you're not losing your mind, I understand what you're saying.

59% of soldiers OPPOSED GOING INTO IRAQ in hindsight...That means that only 41% SUPPORTED GOING INTO IRAQ in hindsight.

-NC

[wonder cow]

Good Things Happening In Iraq

Iraq is a bastion of happiness and joy. And if during the 20% of the time that Iraqis have power during the day, the liberal media would report the truth of this happiness and joy in Iraq instead of all the usual lies, like how Iraqis are without power most of the time, the Iraqi people would be much better off.

[piratemonkey]

59% of soldiers OPPOSED GOING INTO IRAQ in hindsight...That means that only 41% SUPPORTED GOING INTO IRAQ in hindsight.
-NC


Thank-you! Cripes, I know I'm crazy, but that was a different level. ;)

[Troy]

The only good news out of Iraq will be when we completely withdraw our troops!



Amen!

Reason for the media only covering the bad is, it's more news worthy and the bad outweights the good. Sure some good things are happening in Iraq, but it's not worth the price we as Americans are dealing with.

I keep hearing Republicans say in every political forum I'm involved with that Saddam killed 300,000 shiites, Well is it worth our troops dying over? no offense with the shiites but, that has absolutely nothing to do with us.

[Viper2]

NortheastCynic:
1. WMDs found [I doubt very much that Saddamn still didn't have them]

http://www.boston.com/dailynews/188/wash/U_S_flies_radioactive_material:.shtml

U.S. flies radioactive material, suitable for dirty bomb, out of Iraq
By H. Josef Hebert, Associated Press, 7/6/2004 19:45
WASHINGTON (AP) In a secret operation, the United States last month removed from Iraq nearly two tons of uranium and hundreds of highly radioactive items that could have been used in a so-called dirty bomb, the Energy Department disclosed Tuesday.

The nuclear material was secured from Iraq's former nuclear research facility and airlifted out of the country to an undisclosed Energy Department laboratory for further analysis, the department said in a statement.

Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham described the previously undisclosed operation, which was concluded June 23, as ''a major achievement'' in an attempt to ''keep potentially dangerous nuclear material out of the hands of terrorists.''

The haul included a ''huge range'' of radioactive items used for medical and industrial purposes, said Bryan Wilkes, a spokesman for the Energy Department's National Nuclear Security Administration.
Much of the material ''was in powdered form, which is easily dispersed,'' said Wilkes.

http://www.humaneventsonline.com/sarticle.php?id=10101&o=DIB004

National Security & Defense
WMDs Found in Iraq
Posted Nov 9, 2005
Contrary to ongoing reports by mainstream media outlets, WMDs have been found in Iraq, so reports New York Times best-selling author Richard Miniter in his new book, Disinformation.

Consider these shocking facts:
• Found: 1.77 metric tons of enriched uranium
• Found: 1,500 gallons of chemical weapons
• Found: Roadside bomb loaded with sarin gas
• Found: 1,000 radioactive materials--ideal for radioactive dirty bombs
• Found: 17 chemical warheads--some containing cyclosarin, a nerve agent five times more powerful than sarin

This is only a partial list of the deadly weapons Miniter reveals in his new book, Disinformation. Miniter systematically dissects the "No-WMD Myth" (how it started, and why it continues), as well as 21 other War-on-Terror myths perpetuated by the media.

The intelligence revealed in Disinformation is vital. The publisher (Regnery, a sister company of HUMAN EVENTS) has agreed to send you one key chapter--free. Simply indicate below to which email address you want the chapter sent and you will receive it in a matter of minutes.

[Viper2]

http://www.centcom.mil/sites/uscentcom1/FrontPage%20Stories/Historic%20Marshlands%20Receive%20Restoration.aspx

Historic Marshlands Receive Restoration
Story and photos by Staff Sgt. James Sherrill, 124th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

BASRA, Iraq — The Iraqi Ministry of Water Resources inherited what it calls one of the world's greatest environmental catastrophes from the former regime - the parched Mesopotamian marshes in southern Iraq.

Marsh Arabs have been living among the southern wetlands for thousands of years, making their homes from abundant reeds and mud. They sell the reeds, catch fish from long wooden boats and herd water-buffalo to sustain themselves.

Fed by the Tigres and Euphrates rivers, the giant wetlands once stretched for more than 6,200 square-miles.

When Saddam Hussein seized power in the early 1970s, he began ordering small sections of the wetland drained to make room for military factories, chemical plants and other industry.

The ancient marshes fell victim to the regime once again during the Iran-Iraq war, beginning in 1980, and were drained even further because of the land's perceived tactical value.

The biggest impact on the marshes came at the conclusion of the Gulf War in 1991. Hussein gave the order to drain the marshes completely in retribution for the Shia uprising against the regime. The huge cost of draining the marshes put a burden on Iraq 's economy, and the environmental impact on the marshes' eco-system was disastrous. Certain types of birds, fish and plants normally found in the marshes rapidly disappeared.

[Viper2]

http://www.centcom.mil/sites/uscentcom1/FrontPage%20Stories/Women%20Join%20Iraqi%20Police.aspx

Women Join Iraqi Police
Story and photos by
Petty Officer 2nd Class John J. Pistone
Multi-National Security Transition
Command - Iraq


IRBIL , Iraq — Women's rights might not be the first thing one thinks of when someone mentions Iraq , however, some officials in the Kurdish provinces in northern Iraq would like it to be.

According to Irbil Minister of Interior Karim Sinjari, equality is very important for the residents of the Kurdish provinces.

“We are working very hard to be progressive and set the standard for human rights in Iraq ,� he said.

According to Sinjari, changing the country's view of women is an important step to separate themselves from the old way of thinking.

Although women throughout Iraq have been given the right to vote and are accepted in the army and police academies, the city of Irbil was the first city to allow women to hold positions of power.

Iraqi Police Lt. Narseed, is one of the first female officers in the city.

She wanted to be a police officer at a very young age but thought that the career field would not be open within her lifetime. That all changed when the Coalition removed Saddam from power. She said she had already graduated college and was becoming a lawyer when she made the decision to become a police officer. “When I heard that the doors had opened for women to become officers, I jumped at the chance and then went to the police academy.�

She said that she has no issue with men following orders or accepting her as an authoritative figure. “Here, there is no difference between male officers and female officers. If I tell the men to do something, they do it. There is no hesitation on their part.�

She said that her years of law school have helped her tremendously.

“Being a lawyer has helped me with the investigative side of police work. I know what a judge or an attorney is going to be looking for. This gives me a slight edge over some of the others on the force,� Narseed said.

Iraqi Police Lt. Col. Aswar, the Khabat station commander, said he is happy to have Narseed on the force.

[Viper2]

http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123022412

Airmen prepare base for return to Iraqi control
by Staff Sgt. Bryan Bouchard
U.S. Central Command Air Forces Public Affairs

6/26/2006 - CAMP AL RUSTAMIYAH, Iraq (AFPN) -- In order for coalition troops to leave Iraq, the Iraqis must first be prepared to take over operations from the coalition. Part of accomplishing that task involves coalition forces training and validating the new Iraqi military.

Four Airmen assigned to a small forward operating base about 10 miles outside Baghdad are responsible for that training.

"Our job is to train, advise and mentor the Iraqi force to help them transition to taking over their country and getting coalition troops back home," said Maj. Derek Jenkins, the senior military adviser from the Coalition Military Assistance Training Team deployed from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.

The camp houses the Iraqi Military Academy and the Joint Staff College, all advised by NATO. While the Iraqis haven't been given the keys to the base yet, Airmen with the Coalition Military Assistance Training Team are ensuring they will be ready to take over security when the time comes.

"The Iraqis are learning a lot," said Master Sgt. Anthony Roop, a security forces Airman deployed from Whiteman AFB, Mo. "The Jundhi, which are the same as a private or an Airman, are very motivated, very positive. They want to do the job and they're ready to get to work."

The Airmen are all here for 365-day deployments. They spent two months training at Fort Hood, Texas, before following on for more training in Southwest Asia. They have been working with the Iraqi base security team since May.

"It's been an excellent experience being able to watch them from the ground up," said Master Sgt. James Trefurt, a security forces Airman from Eglin AFB, Fla. "It's interesting to see how the culture affects training as well."

After basic training, coalition forces received the soldiers at Numaniyah in southern Iraq for their initial base defense course, which lasted about a month. Following that, the team and the new Iraqi battalion arrived back at Al Rustamiyah in June.

The concept of a four-person military training team is not a new player in Iraq, but the significance of NATO's involvement in Al Rustamiyah as the center of higher education for the Iraqi military makes this mission especially important. NATO has deployed a certification team to work alongside Major Jenkins and his team to validate the effectiveness of the Iraqi defense battalion.

There are people from several NATO nations who populate the Iraqi instructor base for the Iraqi Military Academy and Joint Staff College there.

"If NATO nations are uncomfortable with the security provided by this base defense unit, there are a whole variety of negative consequences," said Army Maj. Jim Payne, executive officer for the NATO certification team. "But on the flip side, if this unit can in fact provide robust force protection, and the NATO nations see that they can, then it helps demonstrate that the Iraqis can take ownership and provide what is necessary."

[Viper2]

http://www.centcom.mil/sites/uscentcom1/FrontPage%20Stories/Despite%20violence.htm

Despite violence, south Baghdad residents get first tap water in eight years

By Norris Jones
Gulf Region Central District
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Baghdad, Iraq – Despite insurgent activity, Iraqi workers completed repairs to two water treatment plants in south Baghdad after nearly four months of work. Due to their skill and bravery, an estimated one million Baghdad residents will benefit from the renovations that continued regardless of insurgent attacks.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Gulf Region Central (GRC) provided oversight for the restoration project. Local workers cleaned the large, 34-meter sedimentation basins, repaired pumps and generators, and installed new chlorine pumps. Because of these combined efforts, each treatment plant now produces about 2,000 cubic meters of clean, potable water per hour.

“Mahmoudiya and Latifiya residents in south Baghdad this week had water flowing from their faucets for the first time in nearly eight years,� said Alfred Everett, GRC Resident Engineer supporting the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division. “That’s what people in those communities are telling us.�

A Baghdad firm was awarded the project to rehabilitate two water treatment plants servicing the areas northwest of Latifiya along the Euphrates River.

“Despite setbacks and damage to the generators and other equipment in both facilities, the contractor successfully finished the job,� said Everett.

“There’s no question that Iraqis working on these projects demonstrated significant courage every day.�

[NortheastCynic]

I'm sorry, I should have been more specific. When I say "WMDs" found, I mean WMDs that would together qualify as an "imminent" or "grave" threat to the United States. Again, I appologize for being too general. I have seen both of the articles you've posted before, but as far as I'm concerned, I would need to see more than sarin nerve agent, mustard gas and uranium...These materials could be found in just about every country in the Middle East.

As I said, I still do believe that Hussein DID have WMD, but I don't know if Iraq posed a credible threat to the country. I'm not calling the war a failure yet, because if information comes out that shows that Iraq was a threat, there is going to be a large group of people in this country who would look foolish. Still, I will withold my judgement on the war in general [except to say it isn't going well NOW]. I stand by my statements that A: The schools that we're building in Iraq are irrelevant when put in perspective [we could have built several new schools within the USA and immunized every child in the country with the money we're spending there (MSNBC 2007), not that I would have wanted us to] and B: The media DOES focus on the negatives in Iraq.

-NC

[Viper2]

NortheastCynic:
I'm sorry, I should have been more specific. When I say "WMDs" found, I mean WMDs that would together qualify as an "imminent" or "grave" threat to the United States. Again, I appologize for being too general. I have seen both of the articles you've posted before, but as far as I'm concerned, I would need to see more than sarin nerve agent, mustard gas and uranium...These materials could be found in just about every country in the Middle East.

IMHO, there is no need to appologize. I think that many people equate "imminent" danger along the lines of 9/11 but with radioactive materials. Those that we flew out of Iraq could have been used in numerous simultaneous attacks at a myriad of locations. Thus while not affecting "large" numbers at a particular location could have resulted in a cumulative effect causing wide spread panic and confusion like - where will they strike next - we really are not safe afterall - which is what the terrorists really want.

Consider the following:

http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/breaking_1.html

UN inspectors: Saddam shipped out WMD before war and after

SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Friday, June 11, 2004

The United Nations has determined that Saddam Hussein shipped weapons of mass destruction components as well as medium-range ballistic missiles before, during and after the U.S.-led war against Iraq in 2003.

The UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission briefed the Security Council on new findings that could help trace the whereabouts of Saddam's missile and WMD program.

The briefing contained satellite photographs that demonstrated the speed with which Saddam dismantled his missile and WMD sites before and during the war. Council members were shown photographs of a ballistic missile site outside Baghdad in May 2003, and then saw a satellite image of the same location in February 2004, in which facilities had disappeared.

As I said, I still do believe that Hussein DID have WMD, but I don't know if Iraq posed a credible threat to the country. I'm not calling the war a failure yet, because if information comes out that shows that Iraq was a threat, there is going to be a large group of people in this country who would look foolish. Still, I will withold my judgement on the war in general [except to say it isn't going well NOW]. I stand by my statements that A: The schools that we're building in Iraq are irrelevant when put in perspective [we could have built several new schools within the USA and immunized every child in the country with the money we're spending there (MSNBC 2007), not that I would have wanted us to] and B: The media DOES focus on the negatives in Iraq.

Yes a school here, a hospital there doesn't seem stupendous in the grand scheme of things that we are used to here in the USA, you know, big, bigger, biggest. However, to these people who for decades have been supressed and deprived - a glass of fresh water is a miracle in and of itself.

[Viper2]

This particular report deals with various subjects, so for brevity in a post, I will spearate them accordingly - also this was a combined Iraq & Afghanistan report:

Post message: VetMailingList@yahoogroups.com

Week of December 05, 2005
Welcome to the U.S. Central Command Electronic Newsletter.

http://www.centcom.mil/CENTCOMNews/Stories/12_05/13.htm

New power cable helps bring reliable electricity to northern Baghdad
By Jenna Bisenius Iraq Project and Contracting Office

Baghdad, Iraq- Greatte residents in the northern Baghdad district of Adhamiyah will soon be the recipients of more reliable electricity, due in part to the installation of two and a half miles of underground power cable. The cable will connect two new substations, helping bring power to approximately 2,500 to 3,000 local homes.

Experts expect the power cable project, which began in July 2005, to be finished this month once testing is complete. The Project & Contracting Office’s (PCO) Electricity Sector is overseeing the $1.4 million project; the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Gulf Regional Division is responsible for project quality control.

The underground cable will take 33,000 volts of power from one substation to another, where it will be converted down to 11,000 volts. From there, power will feed to a distribution network of poles, cables, and overhead lines supplying electricity to homes and businesses.

During its active phase, the project employed approximately 100 Iraqi workers per day. They performed power cable work by hand, from the digging of the trench and laying of cable to the sidewalk restoration above the cables. This method allowed for employing more Iraqi workers, says the PCO Electricity Sector manager for the project, thereby helping the local economy benefit by more dollars staying in the surrounding community.

The Electricity Sector is one of four PCO sectors managing reconstruction projects throughout Iraq. The other sectors are Oil, Public Works and Water, and Facilities and Transportation.

In total, the PCO Electrical Sector is responsible for 434 projects valued at approximately $3.2 billion. To date, the Electricity Sector has completed more than 80 projects totaling an estimated $660 million. Currently, an estimated $1.3 billion is being used on projects that are now in progress. This leaves $1.2 billion for remaining projects.

The majority of 352 remaining Electricity Sector projects are scheduled for completion by December 2006.

[Viper2]

Week of December 05, 2005
Welcome to the U.S. Central Command Electronic Newsletter.

http://www.centcom.mil/CENTCOMNews/Stories/12_05/13.htm

As a new girls school opens so do new opportunities
By Spc. Tiffany Evans, 20th Public Affairs Detachment
QALAT, Afghanistan – A new building to house a girl’s school opened Nov. 21 in downtown Qalat.

“For the past few months the girls have been having classes in tents and are very excited to finally have a real school building,� said Air Force 1st. Lt. Ethan Haynes, general engineer, 37th Civil Engineer Squadron.

While building the new school members of the Qalat Provincial Reconstruction Team decided to add a basketball court to the school grounds for the girls, said Haynes. As the school was being built, Haynes and other service members would stop by and play basketball or soccer with the girls.

“This is one of our most important projects,� said Marine Lt. Col Andy Wilcox, Qalat PRT commander, 3rd Marine Division. “Helping to empower the girls is a critical step toward progress and overcoming the mentality of the Taliban.�

Today Afghan women have rights, but many still have no idea that they have these rights or even what rights they have, said Wilcox. By educating the girls of Afghanistan, we are helping to ensure that when they grow up, mentally and skillfully, they will be on equal footing with the men.

“We appreciate all that the Coalition has done for us,� said Armand, Governor of Zabul Province. “Thanks to the PRT we now have a Qalat Girl’s School Basketball Team, which received new shoes and jerseys from the Americans during the opening ceremony.�

Afghanistan is progressing slowly, but Afghans are starting to throw off the shackles from the Taliban Regime more and more everyday, said Armand. There is great joy and trust that Qalat citizens have for the Coalition members working to rebuild their town.

“Truly a great thing has been accomplished by building and opening the girl’s school,� said Armand. “As I’ve heard some of the Americans say, the children surely are our future and the biggest changes start with them.�

[Viper2]

Week of December 05, 2005
Welcome to the U.S. Central Command Electronic Newsletter.

http://www.centcom.mil/CENTCOMNews/Stories/12_05/13.htm

Kandahar civil engineers help keep OEF airfield mission capable
By Staff Sgt. Marcus McDonald, 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Since their arrival in support of Operation Enduring Freedom here, Air Force civil engineers have hit the ground running.

From repairing a 200-square-foot crater on the runway in less than an hour to making a previously substandard airfield fully operational, the 451st Air Expeditionary Group Civil Engineer Flight is helping take the fight to the terrorists.

“A fully operational airfield is essential in allowing us to project combat air power and take the fight to those who would cause us harm,� said Capt. Jason Riebel, flight commander, deployed here from Pope Air Force Base, N.C.

Captain Reibel, a native of Grand Rapids, Mich., said there isn’t an instruction manual for the many of the obstacles his Airmen face.
“My men have met every challenge and tackled every task put before them,� the captain explained. “They always find a way to make the mission happen despite having less people, equipment, and supplies than would be expected.�

Master Sgt. Jason Baker, flight superintendent, said his team has stepped up to each and every challenge that has come their way.
“I’m proud of all the hard work asked of these guys and all they’ve accomplished with what they’ve been given,� said Sergeant Baker, a native of Connersville, Ind., who’s also deployed from Pope. “In the Air Force, various specialties bring together their knowledge and expertise to accomplish the mission as a team. This has truly been the case during this deployment.�

Sergeant Baker related his experiences here to playing in the biggest professional football game of the season.

“This is what we all train for – war,� said Sergeant Baker. “Just as professional football players prepare for the Super Bowl, we put into motion all that we’ve trained so hard for.

“We learn to change up plays during the game, we adapt and overcome; ultimately we will win,� he continued. “It may be a long game, but we will get our ring. We’ll stomp out terrorism and won’t accept anything less.�

Tech. Sgt. Lineus Davis, engineering assistant, and Airman 1st Class Jason Brooks, electrical systems apprentice, both deployed from Pope, said they’ve enjoyed their tour of duty at Kandahar.

“It’s an honor to serve alongside the men and women of the greatest military in the world to help prevent any reoccurrences of what happened on Sept 11, 2001,� said Sergeant Davis, a native of Wilmington, N.C. “This deployment has offered me some very invaluable opportunities to meet and work alongside people who have had a profound impact on my career and life.�

“I’ve gotten a chance to learn about my contingency specific job and I really love it,� said Airman Brooks, a native of Harvey, Ill. “I feel like I can’t do enough to serve my country in the fight against terrorism. I am honored to be a part of the fight and blessed to help in anyway I can.�

Since Sept. 1, some of the civil engineers’ accomplishments have included:
* Repairing a major 200-square-foot crater on the runway on their first day on the job;
* Sealing 68,000-linear feet of cracks on the airfield, minimizing the risk of water infiltration greatly extending the life of the airfield;
* Repairing 117 spalls, totaling more than 1,000-square feet;
* Leading the way for emergency runway repairs totaling 58,000-square feet at a cost of $270,000; and
* Maintaining 100-percent night-flying operations and eradicating worst 58,000-square feet of runway; airfield that was assessed as failed more than two years ago now 100-percent operational around the clock.

[Viper2]

Week of December 05, 2005
Welcome to the U.S. Central Command Electronic Newsletter.

http://www.centcom.mil/CENTCOMNews/Stories/12_05/13.htm

Iraq's Sweet Water Canal projects deliver water and self-sufficiency

By Denise Calabria Gulf Region Division U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Baghdad, Iraq – Due to the desert-like climate and high salinity of water in southern Iraq, two million residents of Basrah have long relied upon the 240-kilometer-long Sweet Water Canal to supply their domestic water for cleaning, cooking, bathing, and washing. Further highlighting the canal’s importance is the fact that although local residents typically drink bottled water, once boiled, the water from the Sweet Water Canal is suitable for drinking.

Now, two Project and Contracting Office (PCO) construction and non-construction projects have ensured the canal’s quality and reliability for many years, and provided local Iraqis the tools necessary to maintain this vital source.

The Sweet Water Canal, originally constructed in the 1990s, is a partially-concrete-and-earth-lined channel built through the marshes of southern Iraq, to compensate for the Euphrates River’s salinity level throughout the region. Experts discovered that the soil originally chosen to line the canal in the Basrah region was inappropriate.

According to a PCO Project Manager of Water Resources, the lack of maintenance by the former regime, the use of a gypsum-rich soil, coupled with the canal’s poor design and construction, resulted in canal breeches and the canal lining swelling, particularly in a 20-kilometer stretch through Basrah Governate.

“The situation was further complicated when, after the toppling of Hussein’s regime, looters stole the overhead electrical lines, poles and two mobile substations, thereby resulting in sporadic shutting-down of the canal’s generators,� said the manager.

Immediately after the war, several organizations, including Bechtel, became involved in the project to repair the canal. Officials awarded a contract to design/build contractor, Washington International, Black and Veech (WIBV.) The company began daily patrols to inspect and identify canal breeches and performed soil investigations for the right and left embankments of the canal.

Experts conducted soil-type investigations to find the proper soil adequate to repair the canal.

In order to speed up the process of empowering the Ministry of Water Resources to operate, manage, and maintain this vital water supply, the PCO moved quickly in the process of acquiring heavy equipment and necessary tools required by the Iraqi ministry.

As a result, according to Michael Robson, Non-Construction Program Manager-Water Sector, PCO placed a contract on the international website for bids to provide the heavy equipment, mini buses, trucks, bulldozers, and front-end loaders necessary to make necessary canal repairs and perform maintenance.

Robson eagerly describes his satisfaction with the local Iraqi company.
“From signature of contract to delivery of the vehicles was four days. They fulfilled the contract to the last detail,� said Robson. “After delivery, we realized that spares and training were missing from the contract. This [local Iraqi] company provided the spares and basic training for no additional cost.

“Since it is a local company, at the end of the day, we can say we gave you the tools to do it yourself,� said Robson.

[Buck Laser]

Viper, it's all well and good that you post stories about successes in Iraq. But when the all come from the military, aren't you asking us to stretch our credulity a bit far?

Please don't take this as an attack on the military! You are perfectly free, however, to construe it as an attack on US policies with respect to Iraq. As a veteran of the Korean war, a volunteer, I know very well that the military is bound by law to follow its commander in chief. But that commander can and has made mistakes of potentially criminal (special note for Boogy: this is my well-considered opinion) nature. Never since President Truman was forced to can MacArthur have I seen a situation where so many senior military officers have retired in order to voice their major disapproval with administration policy. This does not negate the accomplishments of the military in Iraq, but it DOES call into serious question the whole rationale of our being there.

Please, those of you who believe that the administration is doing the right thing by being there, realize that we who disagree are every bit as patriotic and loyal to our country as you are. But we have a different vision of what is right, and great concern that the administration is leading us into a morass that we may NEVER be able to dig out of. We are motivated every bit as much by love of country as you are, but we see the situation differently, and we too have a right to speak out.

[ECW]

We are motivated every bit as much by love of country as you are, but we see the situation differently, and we too have a right to speak out.


Buck,

The trouble with speaking out is that you run the risk of upsetting the carefully planned scenario and propaganda whitewash that every Neo-con politician and follower would have you believe instead of seeking out the truth of the matter. One side of things is more than enough for them and anyone who dares to go contrary to that one side will face the inevitable consequences of being ruthlessly desparaged, having their character assassinated, being subjected to smears, slams and unfounded innuendoes, even to the extent that people who have served their country honorably will be hounded, humiliated, and harassed and even labeled a coward by those who sat on war's sidelines, all in the name of political expediency. The politics of personal destruction is SOP for this crowd and they relish the opportuity to utilize it at every turn.

Neo-Cons recognize no other authority than their own (even to the point of making up "facts" when there are no real ones at their disposal) that will back up their house of cards arguments. They love to call people names and smear them with labels like "cut & run" but when it gets right down to it, their rhetoric is shrill, without factual basis, and it alienates more and more people everyday because more and more people realize that the Stay The Course strategy (or should I say 'strategery'?) is nothing more than an expressway on the Road To Hell.

In short, your attempt to make them see that you have a different opinion AND, as an American, you have the right to express it and stand by it merely paints the bullseye on your forehead for them and makes you a target for every unconscionable thing they can throw at you. I've already learned that none of this is worth my time or effort because they are not in it to discuss Iraq or its relative worth but merely to browbeat and intimidate by any means necessary anyone who differs with them. I wish you luck.

ECW

[Buck Laser]

ECW, I realized a few years ago that being retired confers certain benefits on me. The major one is that no one can really fuck with me because I no longer need to stay in any employer's good graces. I can finally say what I finally think. Somebody needed to say what I said, and it really is no skin off my nose if one of the Political Correctness enforcers decides to ban me. They never seem to realize that there's political correctness on both sides of the political spectrum.

About a year ago, I registered at Free Republic to see if I could (gently) stir up a little shit, and I got banned after my very first post (not at all offensive) because they'd seen "Buck Laser" raising a little hell elsewhere. I am not really surprised that the freepers didn't want me. I guess we'll just see what happens here.

[lily]

ECW, I realized a few years ago that being retired confers certain benefits on me.Â*Â*The major one is that no one can really fuck with me because I no longer need to stay in any employer's good graces.Â*Â*I can finally say what I finally think.Â*Â*Somebody needed to say what I said, and it really is no skin off my nose if one of the Political Correctness enforcers decides to ban me.Â*Â*They never seem to realize that there's political correctness on both sides of the political spectrum.

About a year ago, I registered at Free Republic to see if I could (gently) stir up a little shit, and I got banned after my very first post (not at all offensive) because they'd seen "Buck Laser" raising a little hell elsewhere.Â*Â*I am not really surprised that the freepers didn't want me.Â*Â*I guess we'll just see what happens here.


You're more than welcome here, Buck and it takes a lot to get banned, so I think you're pretty safe.;)

Please, those of you who believe that the administration is doing the right thing by being there, realize that we who disagree are every bit as patriotic and loyal to our country as you are.Â*Â*But we have a different vision of what is right, and great concern that the administration is leading us into a morass that we may NEVER be able to dig out of.Â*Â*We are motivated every bit as much by love of country as you are, but we see the situation differently, and we too have a right to speak out.

Damn........I wish that was shorter. I don't want to alter it and it won't fit in my signature!

[Thirdparty]

We are motivated every bit as much by love of country as you are, but we see the situation differently, and we too have a right to speak out.


Buck,

The trouble with speaking out is that you run the risk of upsetting the carefully planned scenario and propaganda whitewash that every Neo-con politician and follower would have you believe instead of seeking out the truth of the matter. One side of things is more than enough for them and anyone who dares to go contrary to that one side will face the inevitable consequences of being ruthlessly desparaged, having their character assassinated, being subjected to smears, slams and unfounded innuendoes, even to the extent that people who have served their country honorably will be hounded, humiliated, and harassed and even labeled a coward by those who sat on war's sidelines, all in the name of political expediency. The politics of personal destruction is SOP for this crowd and they relish the opportuity to utilize it at every turn.

Neo-Cons recognize no other authority than their own (even to the point of making up "facts" when there are no real ones at their disposal) that will back up their house of cards arguments. They love to call people names and smear them with labels like "cut & run" but when it gets right down to it, their rhetoric is shrill, without factual basis, and it alienates more and more people everyday because more and more people realize that the Stay The Course strategy (or should I say 'strategery'?) is nothing more than an expressway on the Road To Hell.

In short, your attempt to make them see that you have a different opinion AND, as an American, you have the right to express it and stand by it merely paints the bullseye on your forehead for them and makes you a target for every unconscionable thing they can throw at you. I've already learned that none of this is worth my time or effort because they are not in it to discuss Iraq or its relative worth but merely to browbeat and intimidate by any means necessary anyone who differs with them. I wish you luck.

ECW

Let's let the "new" members be judged on their own merit and not the past. Ok?



And some of us are not necons and believe we can stay the course anway with some alterations. Don't let your hatred of Bush blind you, ECW, to the fact that we can still win in Iraq.

[Buck Laser]

And some of us are not necons and believe we can stay the course anway with some alterations. Don't let your hatred of Bush blind you, ECW, to the fact that we can still win in Iraq.


What the hell makes you think it's my hatred of Bush that blinds me? OK, I do hate Bush, but this whole Iraq quagmire is a direct result of the warped ideology of the Project For the New American Century.

[Thirdparty]

And some of us are not necons and believe we can stay the course anway with some alterations. Don't let your hatred of Bush blind you, ECW, to the fact that we can still win in Iraq.


What the hell makes you think it's my hatred of Bush that blinds me?Â*Â*OK, I do hate Bush, but this whole Iraq quagmire is a direct result of the warped ideology of the Project For the New American Century.


Buck, I was speaking to ECW, whom I know and consider a friend, not you.

[Buck Laser]

And some of us are not necons and believe we can stay the course anway with some alterations. Don't let your hatred of Bush blind you, ECW, to the fact that we can still win in Iraq.


What the hell makes you think it's my hatred of Bush that blinds me? OK, I do hate Bush, but this whole Iraq quagmire is a direct result of the warped ideology of the Project For the New American Century.


Buck, I was speaking to ECW, whom I know and consider a friend, not you.

Sorry to butt in, then.:(

[ECW]

And, Thirdparty, my dear conservative friend, you should know, because I have explained it to you on a number of occasions, that I DO NOT hate George W Bush. He is incompetent, ignorant, insincere, idiotic, and an embarrassment to our country but those are not reasons for hating him. There is a world of difference between feeling someone is in over his head but stupidly plows on not knowing where he is going and blind hatred.

And, trust me, I do know the difference between a Neo-con and a conservative.

As for winning in Iraq, to quote your president, "...that will be something that will be left up to the next president." This one doesn't have a clue how to do that.

[Thirdparty]

And, Thirdparty, my dear conservative friend, you should know, because I have explained it to you on a number of occasions, that I DO NOT hate George W Bush. He is incompetent, ignorant, insincere, idiotic, and an embarrassment to our country but those are not reasons for hating him. There is a world of difference between feeling someone is in over his head but stupidly plows on not knowing where he is going and blind hatred.

And, trust me, I do know the difference between a Neo-con and a conservative.

As for winning in Iraq, to quote your president, "...that will be something that will be left up to the next president." This one doesn't have a clue how to do that.


Well, it probably will be the next President who has to wrap it up. On that we are agreed.

[ECW]

Sadly, and to our eternal detriment in the Middle East, I agree. What a mess Chimpy made of things. It will be quite some time before this mess get straightened out. We might be looking at two or three presidents down the road before we an take the Exit ramp off this Highway To Hell.

[BoogyMan]

And some of us are not necons and believe we can stay the course anway with some alterations. Don't let your hatred of Bush blind you, ECW, to the fact that we can still win in Iraq.


Well said 3P. I have repeatedly pointed out that being conservative does not equate to neo-con.

[BoogyMan]

ECW, I realized a few years ago that being retired confers certain benefits on me.Â*Â*The major one is that no one can really fuck with me because I no longer need to stay in any employer's good graces.Â*Â*I can finally say what I finally think.Â*Â*Somebody needed to say what I said, and it really is no skin off my nose if one of the Political Correctness enforcers decides to ban me.Â*Â*They never seem to realize that there's political correctness on both sides of the political spectrum.

Buck, simply stating your belief doesn't come near the bar for getting banned. It takes quite a bit and you haven't gone there.

[Viper2]

Buck Laser:
Viper, it's all well and good that you post stories about successes in Iraq. But when the all come from the military, aren't you asking us to stretch our credulity a bit far?

Perhaps - however, that is my point - where have reports like this been published in the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, the Boston Globe, or reported on CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN, et'al ?????

Some of you may cringe - however, I watch FNC on a regular basis - and I've seen numerous reports by Oliver North, Sean Hannity and others who have gone to Iraq. These are the only accounts other than thru CENTCOM or a host of Veterans Organizations that show the other side.

Please don't take this as an attack on the military! You are perfectly free, however, to construe it as an attack on US policies with respect to Iraq. As a veteran of the Korean war, a volunteer, I know very well that the military is bound by law to follow its commander in chief.

First, let me personally thank you for your service and sacrifice on behalf of our Beloved Nation.

You got me by a few years - I was in Nam (CIAMICO) prior to Kennedy sending the "advisors"

But that commander can and has made mistakes of potentially criminal (special note for Boogy: this is my well-considered opinion) nature. Never since President Truman was forced to can MacArthur have I seen a situation where so many senior military officers have retired in order to voice their major disapproval with administration policy. This does not negate the accomplishments of the military in Iraq, but it DOES call into serious question the whole rationale of our being there.

Agreed - but previously they were just reassigned or fired.

Please, those of you who believe that the administration is doing the right thing by being there, realize that we who disagree are every bit as patriotic and loyal to our country as you are. But we have a different vision of what is right, and great concern that the administration is leading us into a morass that we may NEVER be able to dig out of. We are motivated every bit as much by love of country as you are, but we see the situation differently, and we too have a right to speak out.

Agreed, especially coming from a Veteran who has been there and lived to tell the story.

I do disagree with the way we went in, which is why I started a thread "Battleplan Iraq".

Regretfully, the Military becomes the politicians "force" when all else fails.

[piratemonkey]

Buck Laser:
Viper, it's all well and good that you post stories about successes in Iraq.Â*Â*But when the all come from the military, aren't you asking us to stretch our credulity a bit far?

Perhaps - however, that is my point - where have reports like this been published in the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, the Boston Globe, or reported on CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN, et'al ?????


So you give us information from a source that has EVERY REASON to mislead their readers and discount information from neutral media sources because they don't say what you want to hear.

You are the perfect consumer of propaganda, Grim.

[Viper2]

Buck Laser:
Viper, it's all well and good that you post stories about successes in Iraq.Â*Â*But when the all come from the military, aren't you asking us to stretch our credulity a bit far?

Perhaps - however, that is my point - where have reports like this been published in the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, the Boston Globe, or reported on CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN, et'al ?????


So you give us information from a source that has EVERY REASON to mislead their readers and discount information from neutral media sources because they don't say what you want to hear.

You are the perfect consumer of propaganda, Grim.


Okay wiseguy - PROVE THE INFORMATION IN THE REPORTS INCORRECT - or else say something that is close to being revelant.

Oh, and what "neutral" source would that be ?????

[Viper2]

ECW:

It is very obvious where your stand is - simply - you hate President Bush and anything he may attempt to do.

Well, I do not rubberstamp him either - and I happen to disagree violently with the manner in which the ground war in Iraq was prosecuted on day 1.

[Viper2]

ECW, I realized a few years ago that being retired confers certain benefits on me.Â*Â*The major one is that no one can really fuck with me because I no longer need to stay in any employer's good graces.Â*Â*I can finally say what I finally think.Â*Â*Somebody needed to say what I said, and it really is no skin off my nose if one of the Political Correctness enforcers decides to ban me.Â*Â*They never seem to realize that there's political correctness on both sides of the political spectrum.

About a year ago, I registered at Free Republic to see if I could (gently) stir up a little shit, and I got banned after my very first post (not at all offensive) because they'd seen "Buck Laser" raising a little hell elsewhere.Â*Â*I am not really surprised that the freepers didn't want me.Â*Â*I guess we'll just see what happens here.


Retirement is fun. My problem was that even when I was employed I spoke my mind and let the chips fall where they may. I did however, pick my fights and won about 95% of them. Even in the military, I was chided quite often for speaking my mind.

RE: Political Correctness - LSS - it's for the the DemLibSocs, appeasement minded, panty-waisted wimps of our society that have no balls whatsoever. IMHO.

My parents taught me to say what you mean and mean what you say, and don't beat around the bush.

[Viper2]

Thirdparty:
And some of us are not necons and believe we can stay the course anway with some alterations. Don't let your hatred of Bush blind you, ECW, to the fact that we can still win in Iraq.

Amen brother !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(shucks - where are all the nice emoticons ??)

[Viper2]

And some of us are not necons and believe we can stay the course anway with some alterations. Don't let your hatred of Bush blind you, ECW, to the fact that we can still win in Iraq.


What the hell makes you think it's my hatred of Bush that blinds me?Â*Â*OK, I do hate Bush, but this whole Iraq quagmire is a direct result of the warped ideology of the Project For the New American Century.


With all due respect - Iraq is not a quagmire. This term has been bandied around as if Iraq was another Vietnam which it isn't.

[Viper2]

http://www.centcom.mil/sites/uscentcom1/FrontPage%20Stories/New%20hospital%20to%20treat%20detainees,%20Soldier s.aspx

New hospital to treat detainees, Soldiers
August 3, 2006
MNF-I Article

CAMP CROPPER, Iraq — A medical task force responsible for providing health care to both detainees and Soldiers opened a new hospital near Baghdad International Airport July 30.

Fresh from New Orleans, where the unit provided Hurricane Katrina disaster relief in October 2005, the 21st Combat Support Hospital from Fort Hood, Texas arrived in Iraq in May. The medics first set up shop at Abu Ghraib then moved medical equipment, supplies and patient records to the new Camp Cropper Theater Internment Facility here earlier this month.
Army Maj. Gen. Jack Gardner, Task Force 134 commanding general, the group in charge of detainee operations in Iraq, speaks to medical personnel from Task Force 21 during the opening of a new hospital at Camp Cropper Theater Internment Facillity near Baghdad International Airport July 30. Department of Defense photo by Chief Petty Officer Tony Sisti.

“Moving everything in the best of environments would be painful, but you made this move in Iraq from Abu Ghraib under extremely challenging circumstances,� said Maj. Gen. Jack Gardner, Commanding General of Task Force 134.

“Your mission is critical to detention operations. It is an honor for me to be here today to watch you open this new hospital,� he said.

The hospital provides a full range of inpatient care, including emergency medicine, general and orthopedic surgery, hospitalization to include critical care, nutritional care, laboratory, radiology, pharmacy and long-term rehabilitation.

“The mission is unchanged, to provide the highest quality care to the detainees,� said Col. Jeff Clark, Task Force 21 commander.

“Now we have new facilities that are safer, cleaner and easier to maintain,� he said.

In addition to the hospital, TF 21 is comprised of Soldiers from the 601st Area Support Medical Company, 134th Ground Ambulance Company and 20 Romanian medical professionals.

“Support to the medical mission comes from Soldiers in the maintenance, communications, supply, administrative and operational fields,� said Lt. Col. Paula Lodi, TF 21 executive officer.

“Teamwork is key, and the entire staff stresses continuity of care. We all respect the challenge, uniqueness and importance of this mission.�
Last Updated ( Thursday, 03 August 2006 )

[Viper2]

http://www.centcom.mil/sites/uscentcom1/FrontPage%20Stories/Iraqi%20Cadre%20to%20Begin%20Training%20Enlisted.a spx

Iraqi Cadre to Begin Training Enlisted
Story and photo by Sgt. Rachel Brune
101st Airborne Division

Q-WEST BASE COMPLEX — The latest cycle of Iraqi troops graduated from the Iraqi Army Noncommissioned Officer Academy here, about 45 miles south of Mosul on July 25.

The class was the last of a series taught by U.S. instructors from the 11th Field Artillery Regiment.
Staff Sgt. Edwin R. Sanchez, right, an instructor at the Q-West Iraqi Army Noncommissioned Officer Academy, and an interpreter watch a slideshow depicting scenes from the latest training cycle during a graduation ceremony on July 25.
The latest Iraqi NCOs will now return to their units as trained leaders, while Iraqi cadre at the academy prepare to take full responsibility for future training here.

“The (Iraqi) cadre … are charged with training Iraqi NCOs in the new millennium and beyond,� said Staff Sgt. Edwin R. Sanchez, who has taught at the Academy with his fellow Soldiers for the past year.

The instructors, including four Iraqi cadre members, taught a three-week leadership development course which included traffic control point procedures, clearing buildings, drill and ceremony, physical fitness training, hand
-to-hand combat, ethics and other skills similar to what American Soldiers learn in their courses.

Sgt. Maj. Walter Murrell, a member of the U.S. training team, gave his last graduation remarks as commandant of theNCO Academy.

“Teamwork is fundamental to what this country is trying hard to achieve,� he told the graduates.

Murrell asked the Iraqi Soldiers to remember and apply what they learned, especially when leading a team of
Iraqi Soldiers into a dangerous area.

“You are the lifeblood of your nation, and you must never forget that,� said Murrell.

“It was an honor to serve side by side with you. When the history books are written, you will be the heroes of the
republic.�

Sgt. Maj. Farhan, the new Iraqi commandant with the 2nd Iraqi Army Division, said the graduates will be the foundation from which to protect Iraq's democracy and freedom. He also thanked the academy's instructors for their
work.

“The role of the instructors is clear as sunshine … By doing a great job to train these Soldiers, the instructors
deserve to be known as the heroes of the academy,� said Farhan.

He told the graduates that their sacrifices will “wipe the martyrs’ mothers’ tears.�
Last Updated ( Tuesday, 01 August 2006 )

[Viper2]

http://www.centcom.mil/sites/uscentcom1/FrontPage%20Stories/Obide%20tribes%20coming%20together%20to%20secure%2 0region,%20generate%20prosperity.aspx?PageView=Sha red

Obide tribes coming together to secure region, generate prosperity
25 July 2006
By Maj. Anna Friederich
2nd Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Officer, 4th Infantry Division
FOB KALSU, Iraq — The southern portion of Iraq is reaping the long overdue benefits of infrastructure rebuilding and trained security forces.

Although the areas in the Karbala, Najaf and Babil provinces still have their share of turbulence, some of the success the provinces are enjoying stems from the willingness of local tribes to work together to put their part of Iraq back together, said Capt. Dave Zaino, commander, Company A, 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.
Capt. Dave Zaino, commander, Company A, 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, met with Sheik Najim Saturday at his home in the Obide region of the northern Babil province to discuss their future partnership in rebuilding the region and to evaluate some areas for possible renovations to include the water canals that are becoming increasingly contaminated with debris and trash making the water non-potable for residents and livestock as the supply diminishes. (Photo by Army Maj. Anna Friederich)

“We are going into areas in the northern sector of our area of operations, finding a large population who are putting the pieces back together on their own,� said Zaino.

Last week, Zaino met with Sheik Mohammed for the first time and found he and the surrounding tribes were working on a joint project on their own to improve the water system in their area. Mohammed solicited help from the Obide, Guerarie, Jabor and Gueranie tribes, along with his own tribe to assist with the project.

“His initiative is a model of sincere leadership and accountability and is a positive step in boosting the idea of democracy and faith in the Government of Iraq,� said Zaino.

Zaino also met with Sheik Najim for the first time and said he found him willing to discuss his tribe’s issues. Najim expressed his greatest concerns, which were also water and security in the region, and agreed to another visit a few days later.

“We organized a patrol to the region with elements of the 4th Brigade, 8th Iraqi Army Division, and pushed out to the Obide region early Saturday,� said Zaino. “As a good-faith gesture, the Iraqi army soldiers brought cases of bottled water and humanitarian supplies for the farmers in the surrounding areas as a way of showing their willingness to work with the tribes and also to win their trust and confidence.�

When the combined force arrived, it was only Najim and his family who received the Soldiers, but as the morning wore on, tribal members from the immediate area joined the gathering and listened respectfully. While Najim discussed the issues of his tribe with Zaino, the IA soldiers were busy handing out the supplies to the tribal farming community.

Najim again said he was very concerned about the water supply, which was rapidly dwindling due to a build up of debris in the canals and lack of adequate pumping systems and power generation. He said the water supply had steadily decreased since the original invasion in 2003 due to the lack of funding for upkeep of the pumping equipment, generators and canal maintenance.

He showed Zaino and Staff Sgt. Samantha Mahan, team leader, 412th Civil Affairs Detachment, 2nd BCT, the small well in front of his home and a small outlet from the canal in back of his home. Both water sources seemed to be contaminated, which required the family to boil their water to make it potable, said Mahan.

“When we see problems like this, we evaluate the water sources and determine short term and possible long term solutions. As civil affairs Soldiers, it is our job to affect change in circumstances such as these. These changes don’t occur overnight, but with the cooperation of the unit and support of the command, we can certainly make a difference to a community like this one,� said Mahan.

Mahan said the Saddam regime provided funding to the farmers much like our welfare system in the U.S. The farmers relied on the funding to run their farms and provide needed supplies. The concept of making their own decisions regarding the revenue generated by their efforts is very new to them.

“We are basically starting from the ground up teaching them how to be businessmen and are experiencing great success,� said Mahan. “We found that starting with the younger generation, with the approval of the elders, has improved those chances of success.�

Zaino reiterated that the best weapon in his arsenal is talking directly to the tribal sheiks because he can influence a group of 200 rather than by talking to one person or family at a time.

“We win the trust of the tribe when we win the trust of the sheik,� said Zaino. “As we do this, the IA is also winning the trust of the tribe by showing they are the ones providing security and support to the communities.�

“We all benefit from our relationship; we promote the IA as a viable security force and a group who is truly supportive providing the community the safety and stability they need. In turn, the communities help us by quelling terrorist activity in their areas,� said Zaino.

During a lunch of lamb, rice and bread, Najim addressed the security situation in depth, reiterating his concern for the safety of his tribe and surrounding tribes. He said he sees no difference in Sunni and Shia, and when CF arrived in their region in 2003, he directed the people in the region not to resist. He seemed very proud of the fact that not one shot was fired from his tribe.

He pointed out that he also encouraged his tribe to vote in every election because he truly believes in the democratic process.

“This is part of what makes my people great,� he said.

By the end of the visit, the room was full of tribal members. The respect they showed Najim made it apparent he was a strong leader, seemingly admired by all.

Zaino said he was very pleased with the results of the meeting as was Sheik Najim. “We both got what we wanted – the move toward security, stability and prosperity in the Obide region, I can live with that. The difference we make here is what we take home with us,� he said.

[Viper2]

http://www.centcom.mil/sites/uscentcom1/FrontPage%20Stories/New%20Iraqi%20command%20opens.aspx

New Iraqi Command Opens
27 July 2006
Story by Multi-National Force - Iraq

BAGHDAD — The Iraqi Training and Doctrine Command officially opened in a ceremony at the Cultural Center Compound in Baghdad Tuesday.

The ITDC now has the ability and sufficient resources to oversee all Iraqi national defense related education and military doctrine development.
This is an important milestone as Iraq progresses toward its goal of being fully operable by July 2007, said Gen. Babakir Badir Khan Zebari, Iraqi Joint Forces commander.

“Compared to the activities of insurgents and terrorists who try to plant death and destruction in every part of Iraq, our government pursues a project of national reconciliation and the army builds the training and educational infrastructure and the foundations for Iraqi military doctrine that army personnel have desired for a long time,� said the general.

“A modern and developed Doctrine coordinated with our national vision and interests helps create a culture for national security,� he said.

Subordinate organizations such as the Iraqi Tactical Doctrine Center and the Iraqi Lessons Learned Center have already achieved operational status and the Iraqi Defense Language Institute recently graduated its first students and will achieve operational status by the end of 2006.

Assisting Iraqis in establishing the ITDC has been one of NATO’s most important projects since the NATO Training Mission - Iraq started in 2004. NTM-I has until now led the development of the ITDC, but will gradually reduce its role to advising and mentoring.

[piratemonkey]

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Spam posting is a big reason I left another Debate site....

[Viper2]

http://www.centcom.mil/sites/uscentcom1/FrontPage%20Stories/Iraq’s%20Western%20Border%20Becoming%20More%20Se cure.aspx

Iraq’s Western Border Becoming More Secure
by Norris Jones
Gulf Region Central District
US Army Corps of Engineers

Al Asad, Iraq—Iraq’s western border with Syria, Jordan and Saudi Arabia will now be more secure thanks to a continuous line of outposts that will be completed this month.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Gulf Region Central District (GRC) was responsible for overseeing that work which included 23 border forts overlooking nearly 600 kilometers of Iraq’s remote western frontier. The final fort, Border Fort 32, located along the Saudi Arabian border, was recently completed.

Each of those castle-like, one-story structures, built by a crew of about 20 Iraqis, measures 24.25 meters by 19.5 meters. They are reinforced concrete masonry buildings with a raised center clerestory. Each features a dormitory area, kitchen, armory, observation posts, perimeter security lighting, berms, offices, showers, as well as electrical and plumbing services provided by on-site twin 50kV generators and six 250-gallon water tanks. Each facility is manned by 20 to 40 Border Police at all times.

“Border security is extremely important,� said Lt. Commander Damon Lilly, Officer in Charge of GRC’s Al Asad Resident Office in Al Anbar Province, who worked with the Iraqi contractors to ensure the border forts were completed. “Those facilities offer a secure environment for border police who have a very difficult job in some of the most hostile, desolate areas of Iraq. The 590 kilometers of border terrain is an arid desert with temperatures rising to over 130 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer. It was a difficult challenge�

The forts are located about every 20 kilometers and cost approximately $250,000 each. “The whole purpose of these outposts is to enhance border

[Viper2]

http://www.centcom.mil/sites/uscentcom1/FrontPage%20Stories/Dozens%20of%20Bases%20Transferred%20to%20Iraqis.as px

Dozens of Bases Transferred to Iraqis
(MNF-I Story)

BAGHDAD – Because of the increasing abilities of Iraqi security forces, Coalition forces have been able to transfer to Iraqi control dozens of forward operating bases in Iraq.

Of the 110 FOBs operated by the Coalition at the start of 2005, 30 have been transferred to the Iraqi Transitional Government, transferred to the Iraqi Security Forces, or closed.

Task Force Band of Brothers will turn over control of the former Saddam Hussein presidential compound to Iraqi government officials in a ceremony in Mosul July 20.

The Mosul site, built over 2.2 square kilometers and completed in 1994, contained Saddam Hussein's northernmost presidential site and includes several palaces and residences, three lakes, and man-made waterfalls.

The compound was secured by the 101st Airborne Division in April 2003. Since then, the area has changed U.S. commands three times.
The secured area will be transferred to Ministry of Interior for the Iraqi Police to use as a headquarters in the Mosul region.

The compound has served as a military headquarters during some of its greatest successes in Iraq. Notable among those many successes was the May 5, 2003, Mosul city and Ninewa provincial council elections, the first post-Saddam Hussein election in Iraq.

Since the departure of Task Force Freedom in December 2005, the compound has been home to elements of the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team and other Coalition forces. Earlier this year, they began the task of vacating and restoring the compound in preparation for the hand over to the Iraqis.