Centcom News Feed - Mar 13

JUDGES RETURN TO SALMAN PAK, IRAQ

Col. Wayne W. Grigsby Jr (left), greets Judge Razak in Salman Pak, March 10. (U.S. Army photo)

On March 10th, Iraqi judges surveyed the new government center in Salman Pak during their first visit back since 2005. The facility was designed to place the courthouse, police, fire and emergency medical services in one central location. In 2005, the judges were forced to leave Salman Pak when extremist groups made the area too dangerous to remain. Colonel Ryan J. Kuhn, from Clarks, Nebraska, deputy commander of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, praised Judge Hassen (one the judges who viewed the facility), for returning to Salman Pak after being shot there three years ago. "We talk about heroes all the time, but it is very rare that we get to meet one," Kuhn said. "You honor us by being here. Your bravery will inspire many in this area."

Leaders in the 3rd BCT have worked with Iraqi security forces to secure Salman Pak since the brigade's arrival to the area last March. At the meeting, they assured the judges the area was secure. "We feel that the area is secure and is ready for your return," said Lt. Col. Jack Marr, from Minneapolis, the commander of the 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment. "There will definitely be no shortage of work for you here. I was stopped three times on my way down here by citizens that have issues that need to be heard by you."

After viewing the facility, Judge Razak, the investigative judge for the Mada'in Qada, agreed it was time for the judges to return. "I've seen a big difference on the streets today," he said. "There are lots of people moving around on the streets. It looks better. Consider the judges back. We can be operating here in a couple of days if we can get all of our equipment and assistants here." Kuhn was happy to hear the news. "I know we are going to do great things for the good people here," Kuhn said. "We believe that more people will return when they hear that the court is back. This will bring more life back to this area."

Razak agreed, saying that Salman Pak was once a peaceful place. "Foreign terrorists penetrated this place and destroyed everything we had," Razak said. "Rule of law needs to take the place of revenge here." Col. Wayne W. Grigsby, from Prince George's County, Maryland, commander of the 3rd BCT, congratulated the judges on their decision and offered them his help in rebuilding their city. The 1-15 Infantry Regiment is assigned to the 3rd BCT, 3rd Infantry Division, from Fort Benning, Georgia, and has been deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom since March 2007.

'VILLAGE OF HOPE' AIMS TO BOOST ECONOMY

Tech. Sgt. Wayne Dingle teaches a class about electrical panels at the 'Village of Hope', March 4. (Courtesy photo)

After months of oppression from al-Qaeda in Iraq, the southern Baghdad community of Hawr Rajab is coming back to life. Coalition and Iraqi efforts are now focused on rebuilding the economy. One initiative garnered 50 students for classes at the "Village of Hope," a vocational school designed to teach Hawr Rajab residents the basics of construction. Soldiers from 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division provide security at construction sites where classes are taught by U.S. Air Force Airmen with related occupational specialties.

The Airmen-turned-teachers are with the 557th Expeditionary Red Horse Squadron, headquartered at Balad Air Base. The Village of Hope team has about 30 members who conduct classes from Patrol Base Stone, a Coalition outpost in the heart of the community. Tech. Sgt. Jacob Wilcock, a structural class instructor, said he had to adjust his mindset from pounding nails to teaching. "As builders, we are more attuned to seeing a completed structure or physical progress at the end of a work day," said Wilcock, from Phoenix. "Teaching is very rewarding, but the reward is seeing the students understand the lesson and do well on a practical exercise."

In addition to learning the basics of building over the three-month course, students will rebuild homes damaged or destroyed by extremists. Rebuilding homes is part of the lesson plan and as an added incentive, students are paid for attending class. "The students are very receptive, ecstatic and happy about the school," said Capt. Josh Aldred, Village of Hope project manager. "They are very grateful and fully understand we're here to help."

Local businesses will also benefit from the Village of Hope project. When classroom instruction ends and hands-on training begins, building materials available locally will be purchased from Hawr Rajab vendors. "Many come up to say that this is the best thing that has ever happened here," Aldred said. To ensure a steady supply of building materials, a brick and concrete block maker from Hawr Rajab was awarded a Baghdad-7 embedded Provincial Reconstruction Team (ePRT) micro-grant to help improve his business.

Airmen also see rewards coming from their new line of work. "I've deployed five times but I've never had the chance to help someone change their life," said Tech. Sgt. Christopher Collins, plumbing class instructor, from Fort Walton Beach, Florida. "This training will help them for the rest of their lives."

ANSF SECURE KHAK-E SAFID, AFGHANISTAN
One of the harshest Afghan winters on record, combined with the criminal and terrorist acts of insurgents, caused the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) to spring into action to give aid to citizens and clear the Khak-e Safid region of Farah Province, of enemy fighting positions, weapons and improvised explosive device (IED) making materials. In response to a plea from elders for assistance, the Afghan national army’s 207th Kandak, advised by Coalition forces, provided humanitarian and medical aid to Afghan citizens and drove out the insurgents. The Afghan National Army (ANA) treated numerous patients and supplied various items, primarily winter clothing. As the teams moved through other villages, a family approached the ANSF for assistance. The team gave the family supplies consisting of shoes, blankets and other winter items.

As the mission progressed, other ANA-led security and clearing teams conducted a search of several suspected insurgent compounds and a canyon with enemy fighting positions. In the canyon, they found a weapons cache of IED making materials, 107 mm rockets, and rocket propelled grenades and launchers. Also found was a reinforced cave complex and an insurgent structure used as a base to conduct robberies.

The ANSF destroyed the structure, the cave and numerous fighting positions, hampering insurgents' ability to conduct future operations. The final portion of the mission came when the ANA-led force cleared the Khowst Pass and positively identified several insurgent enemy positions preparing to ambush friendly forces. ANSF engaged the insurgents and called for precision air strikes eliminating the threat. "Security patrols, such as this, illustrate that the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan not only continues to establish a stable and secure environment for the people, but is also committed to increasing the quality of life for all people in Afghanistan," said Army Capt. Vanessa R. Bowman, Coalition spokesperson.