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Blackanthem Military News
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Last Updated:
Jul 24, 2008 - 12:30:18 PM |
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Blackanthem Military News
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| Sergeant Michael Valley, of the 511th MP Co., from Fort Drum, N.Y., looks on as Iraqi Policemen search a vehicle at a checkpoint in al-Kut, Iraq, May 7. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Daniel T. West) |
FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELTA, Iraq - Iraqi Police in Wasit Province have made significant capacity gains in recent months to improve security for the citizens of Iraq.
Their planning ability has greatly improved and their effectiveness increases daily, said Col. Peter Baker, commander of the 214th Fires Brigade.
Much of the improvement is due to the actions of Maj. Gen. Hannin al-Ameer, the provincial director of police, appointed in September.
"He is very competent," Baker said. "He has taken a large force and made immediate and long-term improvements - not an easy task for a unit of that size."
One significant turning point for the force happened during the late-March Shia uprising: the firing of 134 Iraqi Policemen - both troopers and officers - from IP Emergency Response Unit 4, said 1st Lt. Lynette Jefferson, a platoon leader for the 511th Military Police Company, attached to the 214th FB, of Fort Drum, N.Y., the unit responsible for training Iraqi Policemen.
"It was due to a variety of circumstances," she said. "Some had militia ties, some weren't coming to work and some just weren't doing their jobs."
"The flare-up in early March was an opportunity for [Hannin] to assess the quality of his forces," Baker said. "It had a huge positive effect on the force." The leadership of the unit was changed as well, not because of corruption, but to improve the unit, Jefferson said.
"The current leadership is more disciplined and training-focused," she said. "They're taking their jobs more seriously."
The change in leadership at ERU 4 has trickled down to change the attitudes of the police officers on the ground, as well, said Sgt. Melissa Overton, a squad leader with the 511th MP Co.
"They seem more disciplined in training with us," she said. "They want to learn better skills."
They are also more open to conducting joint patrols with Coalition forces, she added.
"Before [the firings], it was 'yes, but not today,'" she said. "Now, it's 'how many do you need, we'll go now.'"
One example of this new spirit became evident during an operation in the Zuwarijat district of al-Kut, 163 kilometers southeast of Baghdad, April 26. Iraqi Police, in support of Iraqi Army elements and Coalition forces, entered the neighborhood and established a permanent joint presence with the IA - something the Iraqi Security Forces had been unable to do before.
"When they went there [Zuwarijat] before [March 4], they had no plans or means to stay," Baker said. "This time they planned to go in and stay. It's had a huge effect on the population.
"Now when we go in, people ask if we will stay," he said. "The reinforcements and improvements that we have made are a sign."
"Overall, I know that taking ground, it was a huge step," said Staff Sgt. Erik Golden, a squad leader with the 511th MP Co.
The company's mission has been to train IP on the ground in their stations around al-Kut. The close relationship they have developed definitely helps all those involved, Golden said.
"They're more willing to learn, and we're willing to teach," he said. "We are working on a train-the-trainer program, so that Iraqi Policemen can do the training at the stations as the Americans supervise."
Baker praised the work of the 511th MP Co. with the IP in Wasit.
"Much of what they do has a direct result on the Iraqi Police, and that translates into better security," he said.
ADDITIONAL PHOTOS:
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| Specialist Joseph Lopez, 511th MP Co., of Fort Drum, N.Y., addresses Iraqi Policemen during a class on personnel searches in al-Kut, Iraq, May 7. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Daniel T. West) |
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| Iraqi Policemen search a vehicle at a Baghdad checkpoint in al-Kut, Iraq, May 7. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Daniel T. West) |
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| Specialist Joseph Fluty, 511th MP Co., of Fort Drum, N.Y., maintains security as Iraqi Policemen search vehicles at a checkpoint in al-Kut, Iraq, May 7. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Daniel T. West) |
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Comments
Kim Kramer
14 May 2008, 06:54
Go 511th MP Company! We're proud of you!
Gail Koehler
14 May 2008, 19:09
So extremely proud of ALL of you.............
Laurie Valley
14 May 2008, 23:33
Keep it up guys! We are anxiously awaiting your return!! STRIKE FEAR!
Rob Booth
15 May 2008, 07:05
Nice picture Mike! At least they got your good side! Come home soon and
be safe!
Dot Freel
15 May 2008, 10:07
Awesome job. God bless all of our troops!
Karen Trame
15 May 2008, 20:20
If you see Captain Eric Danko of the 82nd Airborne, say hello. Come home
safe.
Kathy Booth
16 May 2008, 05:55
Mike, we miss you so much! Stay as safe as safe can be over there! We
miss you lots!!!
Keep up the good work guys and thank you for EVERYTHING you are doing over
there!
Jackie Cutts
16 May 2008, 08:05
Praying for a safe return and a nice cold beer waiting at home for you...
Kim Kramer
16 May 2008, 13:16
If you see that Sgt. Melissa Overton again, put her in front of a camera
for mom will ya? Thanks :)
Patti Kerwin
17 May 2008, 05:10
Good to see your words Golden! Can't wait to see your handsome face too.
Stay safe, stay well. Thanks all.
Fred Romonowski
17 May 2008, 07:49
S/SGT. ERIK GOLDEN & THE 511TH. MP CO., KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK, BE SAFE, WE
ARE PROUD OF YOU ALL! GOD BLESS YOU ALL!
Fred Romonowski CW4 US Army (Ret.)
Captain NJSP (Ret.)
Classmate of your father-in-law, Leo Kerwin, NJSP 66th. Class 1/65.
Joseph A. Curry Jr.
17 May 2008, 12:42
Good Job, we are proud of you. Keep up the good work and stay safe.
Hank Meyer
17 May 2008, 19:19
Hank Meyer, NJSP Lt.(Ret.)Personal longtime friend and co-worker with Leo
Kerwin for years in the SP. Great job Erik and keep up the good work. You
are in our prayers. Come home safe!
Linda Lopez
18 May 2008, 06:18
Way to men! We are so proud of you. Come home SAFE..we love you!
Dan Ford
20 May 2008, 11:03
Great work 511th Mp company keep up the good work. I am part of your relief
in 2009 be safe see you soon!!
kathie george
23 May 2008, 14:20
Erik, you are the best!!!What a leader! Thanks to all of you for keeping us
safe and for all you do!
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