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Blackanthem Military News
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Last Updated:
May 20, 2012 - 4:51:44 PM |
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| Pfc. Edgar Salinas (left), of Heaquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, and an Iraqi nationalpPoliceman provide security for key leaders from the Iraqi Army, Iraqi police and U.S. Army during meeting in Sadr City March 4 to begin clearing an area around the new Sadr City Joint Security Station. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Mike Pryor, 2nd BCT, 82nd Abn. Div. Public Affairs) |
Blackanthem Military News, BAGHDAD, Iraq - Faded graffiti on the rooftop of the Al Jezaaer Police Station in Sadr City is one of the only reminders that three years ago, coalition forces occupied the building and stood poised to take the entire area by force.
Now they are back. But this time, the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, of the 82nd Airborne Division from Fort Bragg, N.C. come at the invitation of the mayor and other key leaders of the densely-packed Shiite district, and with the full backing of the Iraqi government. They come in partnership with the Iraqi Army and Iraqi police.
This time, they have come to stay.
Coalition and Iraqi forces moved into the area early March 4 to begin establishing a Joint Security Station - a kind of shared command post - inside the Al Jezaaer Police Station in the southeast of the city. The JSS will be the coalition's first permanent base within the boundaries of Sadr City.
"The JSS is going to enable coalition and Iraqi forces to establish a presence in the city," said Lt. Col. Avanuals Smiley, commander of the 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division. Smiley's Stryker battalion is supporting the operation, providing some of the security while the JSS is being built.
The concept of a JSS in Sadr City would have seemed unlikely in August of 2004. At that time, followers of anti-U.S. cleric Muqtada Al-Sadr - whose father the city is named for - occupied and looted several police stations and government buildings in the district. U.S. forces retook the area in fierce street battles, but eventually pulled back. Over the next two years, coalition and Iraqi forces conducted numerous operations in Sadr City, but chose never to establish a permanent foothold.
Then, last month, came the unveiling of a new security plan for Baghdad. The plan, called operation Fardh al-Qanoon, has placed thousands of additional Iraqi and U.S. troops on the streets to provide a 24-hour-a-day security presence in the city.
Although none of the new troops are based in Sadr City yet, the success of their operations has had a ripple effect on the neighborhood. Key leaders in the community are showing a new willingness to cooperate with the government and coalition forces.
The Sadr City Joint Security Station will be a test of this new spirit.
The JSS will house representatives from the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the 8th Brigade, 2nd Iraqi National Police Division; the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 10th Iraqi Army Division; the Tharwa District Iraqi Police Headquarters; the U.S. Army's 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment; and various U.S. police and military training teams according to Maj. Trey Rutherford, the operations officer for 2-325th AIR.
At the JSS, the combined forces will be able to coordinate and control their operations together.
"They are going to be sharing information so they can go out and secure the population," said Smiley.
A vanguard of paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne arrived at the JSS March 4, quickly reinforcing the security around the building with roadblocks and gun positions. For the next several weeks, engineers and contractors will follow - reinforcing the structure, running power lines, and installing communications systems. When that work is complete, Sadr City's first JSS will be operational.
ADDITIONAL PHOTOS:
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| An Iraqi national policeman (foreground) and paratroopers from 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, prepare to begin security operations in support of the creation of a new Joint Iraqi-U.S. Security Station in Sadr City March 4. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Mike Pryor, 2nd BCT, 82nd Abn. Div. Public Affairs) |
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| Iraqi national policemen prepare to begin security operations in Baghdad's Sadr City district March 4 in support of the creation of the new Sadr City Joint Security Station. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Mike Pryor, 2nd BCT, 82nd Abn. Div. Public Affairs) |
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| Pfc. Colt Hawkins, a native of Greenfield, Mo., and a paratrooper with Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, provides security from the roof of the Sadr City Joint Security Station - the first permanent coalition installation in the area - during a visit there March 4. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Mike Pryor, 2nd BCT, 82nd Abn. Div. Public Affairs) |
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| Sadr City police chief Hamid Abd Al Zhara (left) and Maj. Trey Rutherford, the operations officer for 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, work out details for the construction of the Sadr City Joint Security Station March 4. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Mike Pryor, 2nd BCT, 82nd Abn. Div. Public Affairs) |
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Sheana Vincent
17 Nov 2008, 22:15
The pictures are unable to be viewed!
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