Alot of positive progress over the weekend in Iraq

Apache Troop Establishes Presence, Conducts ‘Meet and Greet’ in Qayyarah Saturday, 05 January 2008 By Spc. Eric A. Rutherford115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment QAYYARAH — In an area roughly the size of Georgia, with varying landscape from desert to mountains, Iraq’s Ninevah province is becoming acquainted with 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment. One such area is Qayyarah, which is one of 50 villages and towns that Apache Troop, 1st Squadron has been working in the area for nearly a month. Apache took to the streets, Dec. 30, for their first dismounted patrol intended to let the Iraqi people in the Qayyarah marketplace meet and greet the Soldiers and to voice their security and infrastructure concerns.“It was the first time we have been down there and done a dismounted patrol,” said Capt. Steve Wojdakowski, the commander of Apache, who led the mission. “We wanted to let the people know that we are here and what we are about.” Wojdakowski, of Gunnison, Colo., said his men have already visited a lot of the villages in the area to assess what the needs of the Iraqi people are. The patrol was a coordinated effort between the Soldiers and the Qayyarah Iraqi police (IP), who helped to provide security as the Soldiers walked through the bustling market and met vendors and shoppers. Wojdakowski said that it is good for the Iraqi people to see the Coalition forces (CF) working alongside the IP, because it lets the people know the CF is here to protect and help them. While Soldiers walked past the fresh produce and butcher shops, Staff Sgt. Scott Anderson was leading the security detail in the streets. “Everything went good with the commander,” said Anderson, Fire Support non-commissioned officer in charge for Apache. “People seemed happy we were there.” The IP and Soldiers providing security moved together to make sure there was a clear path of movement for Wojdakowski and his men both in the market place, and on the street. Anderson, of Copperas Cove, Texas, said his security detail did a great job being on the ground in the marketplace for the first time. With security in place, Apache Soldiers walked through the entire market, making sure every Iraqi there had an opportunity to talk to them to voice concerns or just say hello. Wojdakowski said he and his men will be back on the ground there again soon to build a stronger relationship with the people of the area. North Babil Iraqi Tribal Council Meets at Kalsu http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=16258&Itemid=1 FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU — Members of the North Babil Tribal Council (NBTC) met at Forward Operating Base Kalsu, Jan. 3, to discuss matters of regional importance with Iraqi security forces (ISF) leaders and the Vanguard Brigade leadership. The NBTC first met in October, 2006, as a means of linking all the sheiks in the North Babil area, and thereby keeping Coalition and Iraqi security forces informed. The group of U.S. troops, Iraqi police, Iraqi Army Soldiers and tribal leaders discussed infrastructure projects, security, and efforts to legitimize the Concerned Local Citizens programs. The Iraqi police made a strong showing at the meeting, as they provided security on the convoy to FOB Kalsu, and the Iraqi Army leadership led discussions on regional security. “The Iraqi Army has enormous capability, but there’s still some equipment they need” said Col. Thomas James, commander of 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division. “The older battalions have more equipment and training, but they’re all great units.” Also at the meeting, Brig. Gen. Fadil Raddad, the new Iraqi police chief for North Babil, renewed his non-sectarian stance, stating that he is an Iraqi, not a Shia or Sunni. After the meeting, council members held a press conference at the Kalsu dining facility that drew about 30 Iraqi reporters. The eventual goal is to hold future meetings at locations chosen by the tribal leaders and ISF leaders and not on Coalition installations.