Coalition Forces Commander’s Speak to the People of Tikrit

Blackanthem Military News, TIKRIT, Iraq, June 04, 2006

In a trailer no larger than a backyard shed sits a radio station that Coalition Forces are using to open the lines of communication with their Iraqi neighbors.

Lt. Col. Louis Lartigue, Commander of the 2nd Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, and Lt. Col. Richard Root, Commander of the 3rd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, both part of the 3rd Brigade Combat team, 101st Airborne Division, recently took to the airwaves. The two officers want to inform listeners of their concerns about the increase in hostile activities in the area.

They told the audience that the security situation is deteriorating and is continuing to have a detrimental effect on the Coalition Force’s ability to work with the local government and population towards free Iraq.

They went on to say that these attacks are against the Iraqi people as well as their Soldiers, and, in the end, they only hurt the area’s ability to live free. Lartigue told the listeners that if the Improvised Explosive Devices continue along the main road in Ad Dawr and Tikrit, they would be forced to shut down the road. He then cited a recent example involving an IED hitting his convoy on the way back from a project. No Soldier received injuries but shrapnel hit a local pregnant woman standing nearby. Fortunately, a US Army medic from the convoy provided first-aid for the woman’s injuries, which saved her life.

"This type of madness must stop! Stand up and tell us who is responsible for denying you, the people of Iraq, your right to freedom," said Lartigue, who went on to say that in the last few months his men and the Iraqi Army have been successful in capturing insurgents the people identified.

Calls during the show ranged from minor issues to the extreme. One caller voiced his concern about property damage after Coalition Forces visited his home. Lartigue responded by telling the man to file a report with the Civil Military Operations Center and bring along photos to speed up the process.

"We will pay for the damage," he added.

A few listeners wanted to know about projects being worked on in the Ad Dawr area. Laritique responded by saying that the Ad Dawr City Council is competent in managing reconstruction projects for the area to include schools, electricity, roads and water projects.

Before wrapping up the show, Lartigue shared with the audience a recent visit to a rural school where he had the opportunity to visit with the students.

"Children of this region give me a lot of hope and serve as a good reminder of why we do the work we are doing here. Let us work together and bring peace and stability to this province. These children deserve nothing less," said Lartigue.

By Staff Sgt. Russell Lee Klika
133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS:

	Lt. Col. Louis Lartigue, Commander of the 2nd Squadron,9th Cavalry Regiment,3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division listen to a caller at a live radio call-in show in the city of Tikrit, Iraq. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Russell Lee Klika, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)
	Sgt. 1st Class Scott Green of the Personal Security Detail provides security outside of a Tikrit radio station as his Commander Lt. Col. Louis Lartigue conducts a live radio call-in show with the citizens of Tikrit, Iraq. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Russell Lee Klika, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)