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Blackanthem Military News
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Last Updated:
Sep 6, 2008 - 11:54:07 AM |
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Blackanthem Military News
 CAMP VICTORY, Iraq - Maj. Gen. Douglas M. Stone turned over his command of Task Force 134 Detainee Operations to Rear Adm. Garland P. Wright in a ceremony conducted at the Al Faw Palace here June 6.
Gen. David H. Petraeus officiated the ceremony, thanking Stone for his contributions and forward thinking regarding detention.
"General Stone is a man of big ideas, and the assessment he conducted shortly after taking command led to the biggest of his big ideas: the enemy was conducting an insurgency inside the wire, and we needed to conduct counterinsurgency operations inside the wire," Petraeus said.
One of Stone's most innovative programs involved assessing detainees more thoroughly upon detention, by separating the moderates from the extremists, thereby eliminating the "peer pressure" within detention.
"Faced with disturbing violence and the spread of extremist ideology inside our facilities, General Stone recognized the strategic importance of our detainee population, and the big ideas we implemented set the stage for turning that risk into a strategic advantage," added Petraeus
Other initiatives implemented during Stone's 14 months in command include a family advocacy program for visiting families, using visitations to instruct families in civics, education and cultural discussion. He also developed training for Iraqi Correctional Officers, and established the juvenile education center Dar al Hikmah, "House of Wisdom," to help juvenile detainees learn math, to read and write Arabic, and to better understand the government of Iraq.
"But our greatest achievements in Detainee Operations are the Iraqis who leave our custody, return to their families, and prosper in Iraqi society-never again to take up arms against us, or their citizenry," said Stone. "We should be most proud of this because it is a reflection of all we, as free people, hold dear."
Stone went on to thank the men and women in his command that transformed his ideas into reality. He also thanked the Iraqi teachers and clerics, asking them to rise and be honored with applause.
"Furthermore, it has been a tremendous privilege to have worked with so many Iraqis-and to have served the Iraqi people," Stone said.
Stone's next assignment is as the head of Marine Forces Reserve and Marine Forces North in the United States.
Wright assumes the position of deputy commanding general - Detainee Operations after serving as deputy commander of Task Force 134 Detainee Operations. He acknowledged the challenges ahead.
"In previous years, the terrorists were successful," said Wright, "building schools and incubators for terrorism within detention centers. But honest Iraqis have now replaced those schools, and provide a different, more hopeful message with more promising and longer-lasting results. Honest Iraqis are helping their brothers fight ignorance with knowledge overcoming ideology with reason."
Wright thanked Stone for his immense work, dedication and sacrifice. "You have been a great messenger and your contributions will endure. Best wishes to you as you go on to other meaningful challenges."
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