ISIS and the Sunni Awakening

The current crisis in Iraq bears comparison with the situation there in 2007, when the terrorist group AQI (al Qaeda in Iraq) held sway over much of the Sunni population.

As of this writing, those areas of Iraq are now in danger of falling under the control by ISIS (The Islamic State).  Now, as then, that population has welcomed the backing of these extremist groups because they offered them support against the ruling government.  President Nouri al-Maliki, in office in 2007, ran the government along Shia sectarian lines, as does the present Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi.  Increasingly, Sunni citizens have been coming under attack by Shia militias supposedly linked to the government.

In 2007, I was embedded with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, headquartered at Camp Stryker SE of BIAP (Baghdad International Airport).  This unit’s AO (area of operations) was the 350 sq. mile “triangle of death” located southeast of Baghdad and southwest of the Euphrates River.  Main population centers were Mahmadiyah and Yousifiyah, and Col. Michael Kershaw was their Commanding Officer.

This was the year of the “Sunni Awakening”, the name applied to the movement of Sunni tribes that were convinced to drop AQI and to begin co-operating with the legal government.  This came about primarily through the hard work and dogged patience of soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division of the US Army.  At that time, Sunni resistance units organized in the 10^th Mountain’s AO were called Iraqi Provincial Volunteers.

“I think it might have been a good thing that we weren’t able to get in here for eleven months,” Capt. Ryan Liebhaber of the 10^th Mountain Division told me at that time, “because their methods are what turned off the locals who were supporting them.  These people are secular basically, not of the fanatical Muslim extreme at all, and when it became common to cut off fingers for smoking a cigarette, well, that was it.  Smoking is about the only vice they have left that isn’t a sin.”  Capt. Liebhaber smiled, and then continued, “They also weren’t above killing and raping.  By the time we and the local leaders got together, they were as eager to talk and work with us, as we were with them.”

That statement shows how desperate the Sunni population must have become for them to turn back to the ISIS, formerly AQI, for support.  Reports from the field indicate that they had no choice.  

A truck is stopped along the highway in 2007 in Iraq; the man in the back and another person were digging at the spot.  They were suspected of setting mines along this route between Tikrit and Kirkuk.

Information from various sources in Iraq in January of this year tells of a Sunni massacre in the town of Barwanah by Shia Militias in the presence of government forces.  Seventy-two Sunni men and boys were taken from their houses and shot in the head in a nearby field.  Survivors in this village will be hard pressed to support the government and their Shia militias in the future. Many could become supporters of ISIS out of desperation. 

 Phone conversations with public affair officers from Combined Joint Task Force Inherent Resolve, located in Kuwait, have been inconclusive regarding the influence of ISIS in these areas.

A more recent email from Maj. Kim Michelsen, public-affairs officer with Operation Inherent Resolve, indicated that, presently, Mahmadiyah, Yousifiyah, Zaidon and points north towards Tikrit are free of ISIS control, however, the loyalty of their Sunni population remains questionable.

Many of the inhabitants had been soldiers in the Iraqi Army of Saddam Hussein, or Baath Party members who were civil servants in the former government.  These people were all relieved of their jobs by the Coalition Provisional Authority led by H. Paul Bremmer, a U.S. government appointee.  Aside from there being huge resentment from being fired and the fact that, in the case of the military, 100,000 angry, armed men were turned loose on the countryside, none of these people had any other way to make a living.  They were ripe for opposition to the new government being formed by the U.S.

These men were formerly fighters with al Qaeda in Iraq and decided to switch sides after working with troops from the 10th Mountain Division.  Many of these men have gone over to ISIS after being left out of the current Shia dominated government.

According to Col. Kershaw, the Iraqi Army was the most solid, social organization in Iraq.  Its traditions went back to German instructors during the days of the Ottoman Empire leading up to World War I.  After the war, officers of the British Army held sway.  Soldiers of the Iraqi Army were loyal to their country.  The Iraqi Republican Guard was loyal to Saddam Hussein.  The tradition of community self-defense organizations in opposition to the British occupation during that earlier time was known as “The Honourable Resistance” and is the forerunner of the Sunni Awakening.

“Former soldiers from the old army that I’ve met have told me that they couldn’t believe it was happening,” said Col. Kershaw at the time.  “They thought they’d be called back in for a reorganization in a matter of days.”  

That didn’t happen, and today most of the Sunni opposition under the direction of ISIS is made up of former Iraqi Army personnel and Ba’ath Party civil servants of the old government who were also were relieved of their jobs.  These people feel that their only realistic choice is ISIS.

The Sunni People of Iraq need an alternative to ISIS.

In 2007, U.S. soldiers were able to convince large segments of the Sunni population to turn against AQI and to work with them to eventually form a working relationship with the al-Maliki government.  The current Iraqi government, which is still being led by Shia politicians, hasn’t been able to resurrect the Sunni Awakening or anything resembling it.  The eventual solution might well be within borders of an Islamic State, minus the present leadership.  

Presently, Tikrit appears to be liberated from ISIS forces by the Iraqi Army, aided by Shia militias led by Iranian military personnel.  News that the primarily Sunni population of Tikrit welcomes this development has not been forthcoming.

One should bear in mind that the Sunni population of Iraq, which numbers in the millions, are the same people who joined the government and worked with US forces in 2007.  Bombing them will accomplish nothing but to stiffen resistance to the present government and drive them further into the arms of ISIS.  

As Col. Michael Kershaw said in 2007:  “Whoever in the end can provide security and justice for the ordinary people of Iraq, they will be the winner in this conflict.”

*A version of this article was published by the Press Republican on April 14, 2015.

Patrolling Sadr City

SADR CITY, IRAQ: It’s been said that Sadr City is the last holdout, the toughest sector of Baghdad, and the largest geographic area within the city limits still not under the control of the al Malaki government. American GIs have built the Jamilla Road Wall, or ‘The Gold Wall’ as they refer to it that separates Sadr City into two unequal sectors. Theirs is the smallest, the southern end and is less than one fifth of the whole.

“We took fire practically the whole time it took to build that wall, “said Lt. Martin Suarez of the 1^st Battalion, 6^th Infantry, 1^st Armored Division which is attached to the 4^th Infantry Division. “We’ve been in country three months now but came under heavy fire the first day in the field here along the southern border of Sadr City.”

According to Lt. Suarez the reason for the wall was that this was the outer limits for rockets to be in range of the Green Zone, which had been taking somewhat heavy fire four or five months ago. Now the Americans control that outer limit location, hence no incoming at the Green Zone for some time.

The remaining four fifths of Sadr city is off limits to US military forces. It is controlled by the Iraqi Army (IA) supposedly, perhaps by the Mahadi Army in reality which is under the command of Muquada al Sadr, presently the most powerful cleric in Iraq. American troops have been explicitly forbidden from entering this zone by the Iraqi Prime Minister al Malaki.

On this bright morning the American Sector of Sadr City bustles with activity. Most people appear friendly, with open expressions on their faces. The kids are running around smiling and looking for candy. Schools aren’t yet functioning in most of Iraq and certainly not in this area of Sadr City.

Lt. Martin Suarez and his interpreter discuss the progress of a school project in Sadar City, Iraq that is being funded by the Americans.

“I can show you one that’s nearing completion on a very good remodeling job” said Lt. Suarez. “A good number of rebuilding projects have been started and funded by the US Army,” he said, “but completion always seems to be a problem, off in the distance somewhere. This one looks good though and ought to be able to open within the month.”

Lt. Col. John Digiambattista, Operations Officer of the 3^rd Brigade Combat Team, 4^th Infantry Division is a senior officer overseeing the Sadr City operations. He’s based at FOB War Eagle located a few klicks north of Sadr City.

“I’ve seen great progress over these last few months” said the Col. “We’re located in Old Adhamiyah which is nearly completely pacified. Sadr City is becoming the same way. Rather our sector is. The market’s open, people are out and walking around, looking happy. Some medical help is available. We’ve just got to keep it going. And by the way the so called SURGE was some help here, but we had a great deal going on beside that.”

A very different view can be found among the interpreters who work with every US unit in the field. Most of these ‘Terps’ (the term universally used for translators) will not let their real name be known to anyone. When they’re out working they wear a mask over their face, without fail.

“Do you want me to get killed?” said Lt. Suarez’s Terp. “I wouldn’t last five minuets if I walked out of this compound with this uniform on. And if I was recognized by anyone downtown this morning the same thing would happen, and they would kill my family.”

This implies rather directly, with great certainty that there are plenty of Iraqi’s on the streets who will view this ‘Terp’ as a traitor, a collaborator with the enemy, and who are ready to deal with him and his family accordingly.

Ra---ed, an older ‘Terp’ from FOB War Eagle doesn’t believe that the stability the US Army believes exists in Iraq is actually there. The whole issue of interpreters in Iraq can raise some interesting points. The whole of US Army policy passes through the mouths of mostly local, in some cases older foreigners from the US, in the Arabic language that no military personnel understand.

Sgt. Andrew Regean, Intelligence NCO for the 1^st Battalion believes interpreters can be controlled with a smattering understanding of Arabic.

“They use their hands a great deal,” said SGT Reagan. “If you know how to read them and have picked up a few wards of Arabic, I believe we can control the ‘terps’ effectively. We have to. They’re all we have.”

A version of this article appeared in the Press Republican on August 11, 2008.

Night Raid in the Said Abdullah Corridor

MAHMUDIYAH, IRAQ: The ‘rush’ is on as soldiers of Alpha Battery, 215 Field Artillery, tonight operating as infantry, board four Blackhawk Helicopters on the pad here in Mahmudiyah, Iraq. They are accompanied by a dozen Iraqi Army troops. It’s 1:00 am. and pitch black; the time and condition preferred for this type of aerial assault. Two Kiowa attack helicopters will be following the Blackhawks to the target, and continue circling above to provide extra firepower if needed.

‘We’re after two Al Qaida operatives and intelligence is showing them at the house where we’ll be landing.’ said Lt. Britt Cleavland, leader of tonight’s operation. ‘We’ve driven most Al Qaida operatives down river, south of our area of operations. The two we hope to capture tonight are part of a mortar team that’s been firing on US troops.’

The four Blackhawks depart with their loads and pass noisily, but unseen, over and beyond the southwest fringe of Baghdad. They are completely blacked out, with pilots and gunners using night vision goggles as the hot, night air is blasted inside through the open doors on each side.

As the small fleet of choppers land, the men quickly leap to the ground and rush towards the house in question. Gunfire blasts the lock off the front door and the troopers quickly enter each room, a number climbing to the roof where most Iraqi’s sleep this time of year.

The rooms downstairs are quickly upended, furniture torn apart, appliances opened and toppled. Glass can be heard breaking in most rooms. A cache of AK-47 clips and ammo is discovered behind a china cabinet. No suspects are found.

Lt. Cleaveland shouts from the roof. ‘There are three frightened women and some kids up here with the lookouts, no one else. I’m coming down with five suspects.’

Farm youths detained in raided farm house.

Some Iraqi Army soldiers grab them on the way down and have them kneeling against the wall in short order. Questioning begins and answers are given in Arabic with no conclusive results. The Iraqi troops are persistent. They begin another round using more forceful methods, and are given the same answers. It may be that these guys are just farm boys trying to get a good a night’s sleep.

An older man is brought in from the outside. He’s wearing a white gown, is quite tall and robust He is not cowed by these men with guns who have just trashed his house, however he gives a worried glance toward the young men kneeling against the wall, his sons. He ends up kneeling along side of his sons and is quite vocal and forcefull explaining the situation to the Iraqi troops.

Iraqi father being questioned by Iraqi Army troops in raided farm house.

One of the boys suddenly keels over in some kind of spasm. Another explains he has a condition and needs his medicine. With some difficulty it’s eventually located among the toppled and broken furniture. The sick youth comes around and the room breaths a sigh of relief, soldiers as well as family.

It’s determined that three of the boys, along with three older men rounded up in the neighborhood, will be brought in for further questioning. The father is left there to care for his son. The choppers return, landing in a field across from the canal next to the house and the prisoners are loaded in on the floor between the troops.

Troops waiting for choppers, Lt. Cleavland on left.

Three neighboring men taken prisoner.

From the expression of fear on the faces of the residents in that farm house along the Said Abdullah corridor and from the look of hatred in their eyes; it’s highly likely that these American soldiers while performing their duties under the most difficult of circumstances, using great restraint, have made life long enemies for the United States of the farmers who inhabit this farming community.

*A version of this article was published in the Press Republican on October 13, 2007.

Iraqi Provincial Volunteers & the Shiite Sheiks

BAGHDAD: A large and important meeting was held yesterday at the Iraqi Army compound in Mahmaudiyah, a town located twenty miles southwest of Baghdad. Attending were Gen. Ali, Iraqi Army Commanding General of this area, Col. Mike Kershaw, commander of 2nd Brigade Combat Team of the 10th Mountain Division, and nearly twenty Shieks from the Shia tribes of this district.

‘They want to get in on the action,’ said Col. Kershaw. ‘We’ve had an important turnaround with local Sunni tribes who have left Al Qaida in Iraq (AQI) and joined the Iraqi Provincial Volunteer (IPV) program that my brigade originated and administers in this area. We support them in various ways so that they can protect their own villages’.

Whether the Shiite tribes want to organize their own volunteer units to work towards improved security in their areas, or want to counterbalance this new cooperation between the US and Sunnis, is an open question. The mission of these ‘volunteers’ is narrow and local; to protect the neighborhood with manned checkpoints outside of the village. They are not authorized to be on the main highways nor are they to interfere in any way with the neighboring villages.

‘We’ve had nearly twenty fatalities among the volunteers at this point’ said Col. Kershaw. ‘Two were double agents and the rest were accidental. They were where they weren’t supposed to be and were misidentified as insurgents. The only good thing to come out of that tragedy is that these volunteer units now know how serious a matter it is for them to operate within the limits of their areas of responsibility.’



Concerned Shiite Shieks of Mahmudiyah listening to Col Mike Kershaw and Gen Ali.



While meeting with Gen. Ali and Col. Kershaw, the Shieks were quite vocal and forceful voicing their concerns about being left out of this chance to partner with the Americans. They may have legitimate worries about these Sunni tribes who seemingly are cozying up to the Americans who have the power and money. The Americans are left in the uncomfortable position of being seen as supporting both factions who very often take up arms against each other.



Local Shiite Shieks leaving the meeting at the Iraqi Compound in Mahmudiyah, Iraq.

Another likely possibility is the fact that all factions in Iraq know the US is leaving sometime. So why not try and get along with them for the time being, and jockey for real political power when they’re gone. Recent reports in Al Jeezera indicate that various tribes and other power groups are linking up together for broader based political power and visibility in preparation for that day. It has always been traditional in the Arab world for tribes to switch sides whenever the sand looks browner across the dunes.

‘They remind me of a saying from the heyday of the British Empire’, said the 2nd Brigade’s Command Sgt. Major Anthony Mahoney. ‘We do not have permanent friends, only permanent interests.
While the formation of these ‘concerned citizen’ groups might inspire positive feelings towards the Americans, they in no way are improving the image of the present Iraqi National Government. Prime Minister Al Malki is dead set against these arrangements. He sees the US as arming his potential Sunni enemies; and there have already been numerous conflicts among various Shiite militias themselves.

At the end of the day no decisions were made regarding the requests of the area Shiite Sheiks. The 2nd Brigade Combat Team has made huge gains with pacification in its area of operations during their presence here in Iraq. More time might be needed before a final decision is made on the Shiek’s request.



Col. Kershaw and his Interpreter sharing cookies and candy with Iraqi children outside of Mahmudiyah, Iraq



When asked the next morning if he had made up his mind on whether it would be wise, worthwhile or constructive to begin forming up volunteer units with the Shiites, Col. Kershaw said., ‘No, not yet…not yet.

A Turnaround in Zaidon

ZAIDON, IRAQ: What is perhaps one of the most important trends in the Iraqi Campaign to date, was made crystal clear yesterday in the town of Zaidon, a few miles south of Abu Ghraib. As recently as eight weeks ago it was impossible for US Army vehicles and personnel to pass through this area without an incident. It was not uncommon, according to one of the Humvee drivers, to have as many as 10 or 15 IEDs explode on one mission to this farming area. The locals, who are now cooperating with the Americans here, say that it hadn’t been safe, even for them, for at least three years.

The mission on this sweltering afternoon was to deliver uniforms to recruits of the recently formed IPV (Iraqi Provincial Volunteers), one the unofficial names of recently formed, self defense organizations in this corner of Iraq. This predominately Sunni area has recently broken the shackles of the foreign, or ‘al Quaida in Iraq’ influence on them. According to Capt. Ryan Liebhaber, the officer in charge of this operation, and the man most responsible for instigating this program, the foreign al Quaida types brought it on themselves, setting the stage for this US operation.

Capt. Ryan Liebhaber with members of the Sunni local security force volunteers who had previously been members of ‘al Quaida in Iraq’.

‘I think it might have been a good thing that we weren’t able to get in here for eleven months’, he said, ‘because their methods are what turned off the locals who were supporting them. These people are secular basically, not of the fanatical Moslem extreme at all, and when it became common to cut off fingers for smoking a cigarette, well that was it. Smoking is about the only vice they have left that isn’t a sin.’ Capt. Liebhaber smiled, and then continued, ‘they also weren’t above killing and raping. By the time we and the local leaders got together, they were as eager to talk and work with us, as we were with them.’

Many of the inhabitants of the Zaidon-Raewaniyah Corridor, formerly a main infiltration route for foreign insurgents into Baghdad, had been soldiers in the Iraqi Army of Saddan Hussein, or Baath Party members who were civil servants in the former government. These people were all relieved of their jobs by the Collation Provisional Authority led by H. Paul Bremmer, a U S government appointee. Aside from there being huge resentment from being fired, and the fact that in the case of the military, 100,000 angry, armed men were turned loose on the countryside, none of these people had any other way to make a living. They were ripe for opposition to the new government being formed by the US.

These up to date, community self defense organizations, were originally formed in the tradition of an organization called ‘The Honourable Resistance’, which existed back in the 1920s in opposition to British rule. These ‘Sunni Rejectionists’ as termed by Capt. Liebhaber, who had refused to vote in the national election that formed the present government, and who had depended to a great extent on the foreign ‘insurgent’ element for support, have now reconsidered and want to be ‘legitimized’. They are ready to make a legitimate effort to work with the Shia dominated, Iraqi National Government.

‘It’s been an absolutely amazing turnaround’, said Capt. Liebhaber. ‘Only last June it was impossible; much too dangerous, for us to travel east of Tampa, the main highway through the center of Iraq. In eight weeks my company of 70 men, along with Iraqis of like mind, have turned this area completely around. We’ve gone from 40 IED attacks per week to 8. In some sections there have been two or less in the last six weeks. At the same time a good number of the minority Shia of this district are willing to work with us and the Sunni volunteers.’

All does not bode well however, for Capt. Liebhaber and his peacemakers. The great hope of these ‘sunni rejectionists’ is to have a solid local police force in place before the 2^nd BCT leaves in October. Just as important is their quest to be accepted as a legitimate political group by the present Iraqi Government. Herein lies a major problem. Prime Minister Maliki, of Shia descent, is adamantly opposed to this concept. General Pretraeus is generally in favor of it. Obviously this situation has to be solved if political progress is to move forward.

Col. Michael Kershaw. Commanding officer of the 2^nd Brigade Combat Team, recently stated that his troops have created a data base of over 4000 Iraqis who wish to work in this community, volunteer based security program. Four thousand Iraqis who have a background in government and the military; who wish to join the national government, be a legitimate part of the national government, and make it work for all of the Iraqi people.

During the search last May of the infamous ‘triangle of death’, which is located southwest of Baghdad between the city and the Euphrates River; for three men missing from this Brigade after an attack near Patrol Base Inchon, Col. Kershaw said; ‘whoever in the end can provide security for the ordinary people of Iraq, they will be the winner in this conflict. At the moment, none of us are successful in doing that.”

It does appear that the Americans are winning the battle for security in this sector. Col. Kershaw has nothing bur praise for Capt. Liebhaber and his men for their accomplishments. He feels that many more junior officers and the men in their command are having similar results, in varying degrees, throughout the 2^nd Brigade’s AO (area of operations).

Oddly enough these successes are not at all connected with the recent SURGE of thousands of US soldiers in the Baghdad area. They are the result of a rather quiet diplomacy; by men using their heads and their hearts as much as their M-16s, in their quest for victory. This is a small beginning perhaps, away from heavy military actions that can have such a negative impact on normal Iraqi people, and towards serious diplomacy; which might finally bring this military campaign, for supremacy in Iraq, to a positive and successful conclusion.

-- John W. Conroy

Embedded with the 2^nd BCT, 10^th Mountain Div. – Iraq

*A version of this article was published in the Press Republican on August 22, 2007.

Raid at AO Crazy Horse

BAGHDAD:    A full moon is predicted as newly promoted US Army Capt. John Breslin was leading an armed team of twenty soldiers in four Humvees down Highway Tampa.  Their destination is Crazy Horse, this squadrons’ area of operations just south of Baghdad and east of highway Tampa.  They have human-intelligence indicating the presence of a ‘bad guy’ in a farm house at that location, and their mission is to locate the suspect and apprehend him.  The mission also entails checking in with the local security forces who man the checkpoints in that area.

  Capt. Breslin is an Albany, NY native, and a graduate of Boston College.  Thomas and Judith Breslin, also of Albany are his parents. He is a squadron leader in the 1-89 Cavalry of the 2^nd Brigade Combat Team, 10^th Mountain Divison, stationed at Camp Striker, Iraq.  This is far from being the first patrol or aerial assault that Capt. Breslin has led.

“I’ve been leading these raids for some months now,’ said Capt. Breslin.  ‘We have to be very careful because obviously breaking into someone’s house, especially in the middle of the night with a band of armed men, can be very traumatizing.’

‘More often than not,’ he continued, ‘we spend our days working at keeping these people on our side.  We have medical outreach programs, veterinary clinics for the farm animals and the normal civil-military operations.  On the return trip later tonight, I have to stop and see a local shiek about a contract to clear out one of the main irrigation canals.’

Capt. John Breslin l., through his interpreter explains his position
to Iraqi residents after searching for a suspect in their house.

The Humvees continued down Tampa, along the 30 mile stretch whose security is the responsibility of the I-89 Cavalry.  As the organization of the local security forces has improved, and their checkpoints have become effective in keeping outsiders and troublemakers from their home areas, the I-89^th has been able to expand their influence a good distance among the villages bordering on this main artery which begins in Kuwait and ends in Turkey.

‘Since we’ve organized these IPVs (Iraqi Provincial Police),’ said SSG. Johnnie Ferree, currently a resident of Carthage, NY, ‘we’ve seen a 90% drop in IED placement.  A couple of months ago we never came this far without tripping off a least a couple.’

A crackle on the radio and the convoy pulls quickly off just before the next exit and takes a secondary road into the countryside.  A short distance down a farm lane, the lead vehicle crashes through a metal gate and enters into a the courtyard of a modern and good sized country house.  By this time two armed Kiowa helicopters were circling the premises.

An older man who resides in this compound.

The order had been given to go in ‘soft’ as opposed to ‘hard’.  Consequently it was a rather low key entry and search.  The ‘bad guy’ was nowhere in sight.  Eventually the mistaken operation was explained and smoothed out with the residents, including  the local shiek, by Capt Breslin.   On the return back to Camp Striker Capt. Breslin made his stop with Shiek and worked out his contract for the canal clearing job. 

Late night meeting with local Sheikh regarding raid.

The intended ‘insurgent’ wasn’t apprehended.  However the operation was considered an overall success.  The search of the home was, after some diplomatic explanations, was accepted by the residents of the house as acceptable.  The volunteer security force had been performing its duties adequately at the check point, and Capt. Breslin negotiated a successful contract with the Shiek for the canal upgrade. 

*A version of this article appeared in the Press Republican on August 17, 2007.

Training the Iraqi Army

MAHMUDIYAH, IRAQ:  Dawn was breaking as the convoy of three Humvees and one heavy truck rolled out of US Army FOB (forward operating base) Mahmudiyah. Troops from the 2^nd Battalion, 14^th Field Artillery, 10^th Mountain Division; based here in this town twenty miles SW of Baghdad, were beginning their regular morning workout with Iraqi Army troops.  The training program was held at the Iraqi Army 4^th Brigade, 6^th Commando Battalion compound which is located a few miles from the American base.

The Tenth Mountain troops have built a rather extensive and complete training facility in which to conduct the Commando School program for the Iraqi Army.  The concept is similar to courses at US bases in the States, however the appearance is one of make do.  Plywood, two by fours, barbed wire, sand bags; even an old water tower frame for the rappelling training, have been cleverly used.

“It’s been a challenge,” said SFC Mathew Parker who is one of the key instructors for this program.  “The Iraqis don’t have a tradition of PT for instance.  There were a very large percentage of immediate drop outs because they weren’t able to run a couple of miles for starters.  Rather odd, when you consider their traditions are derived from the British Army which stresses strenuous PT programs.”

 

The Iraqi Army training during a field exercise.

The local troops on this compound live a rough life compared to their American counterparts.  There are no air conditioning units attached to the scraggly row of tents that house the enlisted men of this unit.  Many have dragged their cots outside to find air cool enough for sleeping.  On one recent midnight the temperature still stood at 109 F. Their mess hall is an old warehouse.  Breakfast consisted of strong, sweet tea ladled from a large bucket and two pieces of bread with a yogurt type spread. That was it. 

“They have other problems too,” said Sgt. Parker.  “Usually half of the troops stationed here are out on leave; and for a good reason.  There is not enough housing.  There aren’t enough rifles to go around; even including a recent shipment of new M-16s.  These I might add were delivered with no spare parts, and with an instruction booklet that was printed in English.”

None of these problems however, seemed to dampen the enthusiasm of either the instructors or their students. After finishing breakfast the Iraqi troops joined up at the simulated buildings for city battle training.  As they went from door to door through this training facility, the US troops viewed the action from ramps positioned overhead.

‘They’re actually getting better and better,’ said SFC Erik Johannessen a current resent of Sacketts Harbor, NY.  ‘I think that all of men that have made it this far will be graduating the 1^st of August.  I’m taking them all in for some class room work after we finish up here.’

Later in the week the Commando Training class and their instructors will be traveling to Brigade Headquarters at Camp Striker on the outskirts of BIAP (Baghdad Int’l Airport) to complete the final phase of training.  This will entail learning the procedures to enter and exit a Blackhawk Helicopter during an Air Assault.  Rappelling procedures and the methods of attaching sling loads will be taught to the potential Iraqi Commandos at that time.

*A version of this article was published in the Press Republican and the Watertown Daily Times.

Iraqi Army Commando Training Graduation

MAHMUDIYAH, IRAQ:  At least one US General was expected to attend the ceremony yesterday in Mahmudiyah, Iraq; as the first ever Iraqi Army Commando class graduated.   The 28 day course was designed and built by soldiers from the 2^nd Brigade Combat Team, 10^th Mt. Div.; whose members also provided the instruction.  Unfortunately, IFR flight conditions grounded the helicopters that were to transport the generals, an NBC news team, and an assortment of local Iraqi news media. 

The ceremony was attended by General Ali, commanding officer of the 4^th Brigade, 6^th Iraqi Army Division whose soldiers made up the commando class; as well as Col. Michael Kershaw, Commanding Officer of the 2^nd BCT, 10^th Mt. Division.  Lower ranking members of the US Army and the Iraqi Army were also well represented.  Certificates were to be presented at the ceremony held in the army mess hall.

 

Graduation celebratory meal with the Brass of both Armies.

SSG Vinson Kelley, one of the instructors in this training program said , “I think the most important result of this course was the opportunity if gave for troopers from both armies to work together. They come from an older tradition, or perhaps from no military tradition, and if they’re going to work with us they have to know how we operate.  From the get-go’ he said, “ it was obvious that we operated very differently.”

The 30 out of the original 100 IA army soldiers who made the grade were seated at attention in the old warehouse that served as a mess hall; waiting for the Colonel and the General to arrive.  Two or three local Iraqi TV teams were interviewing them.  Another US soldier in attendance, who preferred to remain anonymous, had this opinion.

“Thirty graduates out of the hundred who began, are about the going percentage of completion for US Army Ranger and Special Forces training programs,” he said.  “If you held the Iraqi Army trainees to the same standard as the US GIs, however, there would have been zero graduates at this ceremony.”  This soldier did feel though, that in the long run, this program was going to have a positive effect on both the Iraqi and US Armies.

Iraqi Army soldiers posing proudly after graduation.

After graduation certificates were handed out by Col. Kershaw and General Ali, a demonstration of the commando training facility was presented by the graduates.  They were accompanied through the course by a mix of army officers and enlisted personnel from both of the cooperating armies.

This celebration did not end with a banquet meal because it began with one; which included bread, goat, fish, fruits and vegetables along with the ever present coke. No wine or beer was served this being a Moslem Country.   Officers and honored guests, including the Mayor of Mahmudiyah, were the first to be fed.

Regular army personnel showed up at the meals conclusion to clean up.  These troops appeared to be the hungrier.  Their mess hall serves nothing like today’s fare. They ate with both hands, while the first shift used only one; which seems to be the tradition in this land.

The weather had not improved.  A number of the men, including Col Kershaw decided to stay in Mahmudiyah for the night.  The Humvee drivers formed up in their appropriate convoys for the journey home; to Camps Striker, Liberty and Victory; as well as FOBs  (forward operating base) Yusifiyah, Falcon, and Abu Ghraib.  

*A version of this article appeared in the Press Republican and the Watertown Daily Times.

Tenth Mountain medical outreach clinic in Mahmudiyah

MAHMUDIYAH, IRAQ:  The soldiers of Alpha Co, 2^nd Battalion, 14^th Field Artillery teamed up with the Iraqi Army’s 6^th Division, 4^th Brigade this sweltering morning, to bring health care to a poor neighborhood in Mahmudiyah.  The clinic will be held in a school that has been completely remodeled and repainted with US Army monies.  This school has a thousand students enrolled, counting both sessions; but is presently closed for summer vacation.  

The Iraqi Army troops have taken up defensive positions around the school.  Some men are on the roof tops.  Others are in their vehicles or on foot watching up and down the streets.  The Americans, who are all in heavily armed Humvees, take up positions closer to the school’s entrance, where the people requesting aid will be gathering.  Apparently after four years in Iraq, a show of force of this magnitude is required to guarantee the safety of the medical team while carrying out this mission.

10th Mountain medic with patient.

Capt. Nick Ziemba has been in Iraq for eleven months.  He is a graduate of West Point, a native of Springfield MA, and currently a resident of Sacketts Harbor, NY.  His job this morning is keeping an eye on the overall operation, and order among the patients hoping to be attended by the medical team.

‘I’ve been here eleven months,’ said Capt. Ziemba, ‘and I still haven’t been able to figure these people out.   Basically I know they want the same things we want; food, clothing, shelter, healthy kids; you know what I mean.  It must just be the difference in cultures.’ 

School boys attending medical clinic.

As if to prove the point;  Lt. Ali, a Kurd and the most professional officer with the Iraqi Army detachment this morning is saying, ‘This is the way we do it in my country,’ meaning of course Kurdistan; not Iraq.

The patients, mostly women and kids, have formed an orderly line to pass through the hall where medics and interpreters are waiting with a variety of medicines.  The two medical personnel handling the most patients are Sgt. Dustin Parchey and Sgt Joshua Delgado, a highly decorated battlefield medic.

 

Young Iraqi girl at clinic.

Same beautiful young girl.

All kinds of ailments are showing up but for some reason not given, only oral medications were being prescribed today.  Some of the children are exhibiting symptoms of mental illness or paralysis which are explained to the parents by the medics.  Most leave the clinic happier than they arrived.

The city of Mahmudiyah could use a lot of fixing and picking up, which would no doubt be of great benefit for the public health of this district.  Trash and building debris litter the streets; and sidewalks where they still exist. The clinic was packed up and loaded into the Humvees. Then the convoy began its journey back to the FOB. At one point through town, the vehicles had to navigate a good distance along one street that was flooded with nearly a foot of raw sewerage.  After four years of occupation, a great deal of rebuilding will still be necessary to accomplish the original mission.

*A version of this article appeared in the Press Republican on August 5, 2007.

Sweeping the Fields of Yusufiyah

YUSUFIYAH, IRAQ:  In the ten days following the incident on Malibu Highway near Patrol Base Inchon; American soldiers have searched every house in this area for the three captured GI s.  The countryside has presented greater difficulties.  The Iraq of the Euphrates  River valley resembles Viet Nam more than the generally perceived desert landscape of Iraq.

Palm trees tower over the lush cropland, canals and pastures north of Highway Malibu, the most dangerous stretch of road in the country.  The many sizeable irrigation canals that thread through this fertile area are lined with tall reeds.  In many areas they reach a height of over 12 feet, providing excellent cover for snipers; and those setting IED s  or laying mines.

Tenth Mountain Division soldiers searching for missing soldiers.

“We’re going to drive down Malibu for a klick of so, then sweep those fields and orchards to the North on foot” said Lt. John Moynihan, leader of   3^rd Platoon, Charlie Co. 431 Battalion.  “I know it’s been covered at least once, but it’s nearly impossible to give it a thorough going over” said the Boston native and Norwich University graduate.

It’s getting very hot, pushing 100 degrees, but the men are eager to get moving.  After all it’s their sister company, Delta of the 413 Battalion, that lost four men and had three captured last week.  There is a heavy commitment throughout this Brigade that no one is going to let up till the fate of the missing men is known.

US GIs patroling area around the Euphraties river in an area that resembles Viet Nam.

Highway Malibu which runs between Combat Out Posts Malibu and Inchon, has had the highest number of IED s per mile in the country this past year.  It remains also, according to Lt. Moynihan, in the center of the busiest infiltration route of foreign insurgent fighters into Iraq.   The Euphrates River is less than a mile South and it’s clear sailing from the west shore to Syria and Saudi Arabia.

Platoon Sgt Chris Bailey waves the men off the highway. “We’re going to walk down this farm lane for half a klick, then fan out. Keep your eyes peeled for any evidence of  IED s, suspiciously disturbed earth that might harbour a mine and any possible scrap of evidence that may have come from the missing men.”

These fields and pastures in the vicinity of the highway have workers and assorted farm animals scattered throughout.  This is some indication that it should not be that dangerous regarding mines or IED s.  Snipers could be a problem throughout these farm lands with the heavy vegetation along the borders of the fields and canals.

Same patrol on different trail.

The soldiers complete their sweep of the open field, then form up in smaller groups moving single file through orchards and palm groves.  Mostly women and kids are working the fields.  A good crop of alfalfa stands along many of the canals and the women have it cut, bunched, and  loaded on carts for the ride home. A number of young girls are in the field helping and none of the older women are covered in the manner if women seen in the towns.

“Ok men, let’s gather up here and follow this lane back to the highway” said Lt. Moynihan.  “We didn’t find anything other than a few pieces of old uniform, but they’re not the type we use.  At least we know this area is free of IED s and snipers.” 

Time is running out on the likelihood that the troops from Delta Company will be safely found.  On returning to Inchon, another platoon is marching three suspects into camp.  They’ve been picked up in the village of Qaraguli and are from the tribe of the same name, according to Capt. Chris Sanchez, Civil Affairs Officer in Yusufiyah. 

 

Captured locals waitint for a chopper for transport to an interrogation center.
It was not allowed to take pictures of identifying features of prisoners.

“They are from the tribe of the same name” he said.  “That brings the number of detainees who are felt to have had a role to play in the capture the GI s to 28” said Capt. Sanchez. 

Perhaps one of these last three suspects will provide the clue that will crack this investigation wide 

open.

Special to the Watertown Daily Times published May, 24, 2007 

A Meeting with the Generals

BAGHDAD:  Col. Michael Kershaw, Commanding Officer of the 2^nd BCT, 10^th Mtn. Div. is once again boarding a Blackhawk helicopter at BIAP.  This trip is nothing to do with the SURGE in Baghdad, nor with the SEARCH in Yusufiyah for the two men still missing from his unit since the attack near Patrol Base Inchon on May 12^th .  He is to meet with Gen. Ali, commander of 4^th BDE, 6^th Iraqi Army Division located at FOB Falcon.  

They will discuss the transfer of an area along Tampa Highway which includes the interchange that exits for Yusufiyah and Mahmudiyah which is presently under the US command controlled by Col. Kershaw.  This piece of Iraq real estate will be transferred to the Iraqi Army which in this area, is under the command of Gen. Ali and will henceforth be under his control. 

Weapons that are being used against US and Iraqi Gov. Forces.

“Gen. Ali is an extraordinarily  professional army officer,” said Col. Kershaw, as his chopper approached the BDE LZ on the western edge of BIAP.   “He’s the kind of guy we need on our side.”

Brigadier General Ali Jassim Mohammed Hassen Al-Frejee  was first in his class at the staff officer college.  He’s non-secular and is married to a Sunni. He will tolerate no religious bias.   He demands perfection from his men, and is incorruptible. He was also an officer in the army of Saddam Hussein. 

Success will eventually be measured  in Iraq by having 100% of the area  presently  controlled by the US military transferred to the authority of the Iraqi Army.

 

Iraqi Army soldiers that are replacing US Army forces.

According to Maj. Webster Wright, public affairs officer of 2^nd BCT, great progress is being made.  “So far in this Brigade’s AO,  between 40 and 45% of the land mass area has been turned over to the Iraqi Army.  We‘re making good progress.”

Brigadier General Faisel Qasim al Kezalee, a battalion commander in the 4^th Brigade was on hand to greet Col. Kershaw.  Numerous soldiers from the IA formed an honor guard as Col. Kershaw’s contingent was greeted by the General, who then walked with them into the compound. A long conversation ensued between them; but initially Brig. Gen. Faisel spoke for some time.  Two contract interpreters from the US Army were on hand to assist.

Col. Kershaw listened, and listened; with the translation being squeezed in quietly before beginning “I know General.  I know…. but we will continue to work together to straighten out our differences and to move forward successfully with the transition.”

On this compound, FOB Falcon, the IA regulars feel that they have been shortchanged all around.  Whether it be electricity, water, food, vehicles, you name it; they feel neglected.

General Faisel is also Sheik Faisel and he continued talking as Col. Kershaw conferred with his staff.   This general officer did not attend the staff officer school.  The Iran-Iraq war was his military training ground, where he was a warrant officer for two years.

 

l. to r. Col. Michael Kershaw, myself and General Faisel.

He was however, able to raise more than a hundred men from his tribe as recruits for the Iraqi Army.  These men of the al Khassah tribe, are from  Mesan Provence. “What was initially a 45 day period of service, has grown into four years,” said Zaya M. Youkhana, one of the US contract interpreters present. 

Faisel continued his rapid conversation.  He told of how the British came to the boundaries of Mesan during the invasion of 2003, where he met them. The British were asked to remain where they were, and that he would clear Mesan of all opposition.  He would chase them out.  When the British finally entered Mesan to take control, they did so without one casualty to themselves; and without their being one death among the native population of Mesan.

The sheik continued.   He feels that the Shia tribes in the area of Iraq south of Baghdad have a good sense of unity and can work together.  There is a problem however with the Sadr’s Militia in Baghdad, and with the tribes from the area along the southern border with Iran. 

“I believe those can be insignificant  numbers,” said the Shiek. “We do not have a history of secretarian violence in the south, and I believe we have enough supporters in the present government to operate effectively and legitimately.” 

Brig. Gen. Faisel is an elected cabinet member in the present government of Iraq.  He is of the opinion that Iraq’s most serious problem is insecure borders; and that the governments of Iran, Syria, Jordan and Saudi Arabia are promoting much of the dissention in Iraq to keep the American military tied up there. 

Democracy will not be able to flourish and spread to these countries if Iraq remains unstable, he feels.  Consequently, if the US Army is fully engaged in Iraq, it will be too occupied and undermanned to ‘spread’ democracy  elsewhere.

Brig. Gen. Ali finally arrives and is greeted by Col. Kershaw. Ali is a tough guy.  Everyone  present in the room, including the civilians, came to attention when he entered.  The two officers took their place at the head of the table and began their conference.  The area to be transferred to the Iraqi Army includes the Tampa Highway interchange for Mahmudiyah and Yusufiyah.  This site is critically important for the security of Baghdad.

A number of phone calls are made to Ali.  It’s obvious he is not happy.  There are numerous, highly vocal,  exchanges.  More general officers of the Iraqi Army stop by the meeting.  Two interpreters are being kept busy at this point.  Eventually a table is spread with a feast and all present are invited to partake.  It appears some IA commanders aren’t getting the job done and they’re blaming the US.  Colonel Kershaw quickly straightens them out. 

 

l. to r. John, the interpreter, Col. Michael Kershaw and General Ali.

A good meal, a few cans of soda, numerous sweet teas, and candy for desert allow the IA officers to forget about their issues; and settle in for a visit.  Col. Kershaw reminds them that he has to go.  The helicopters have been waiting. They’re scheduled for more missions after dark, as the search continues for the two men who still remain missing from the incident near Patrol Base Inchon on May 12^th.  Officers of both armies make their farewells.  The Americans climb aboard their flying machines and disappear into the evening sky.

“The smaller issues those IA officers have are not my responsibility” said Col. Kershaw as he was walking from the choppers back to his office at Camp Striker.  “I can make a few calls, and I will.  That army should be supplied as well as we are if they’re expected to take over.” 

Col. Kershaw continued, “The real battle for Baghdad is being fought out here in the countryside, in the Shakaryah Triangle.  We have to be confident of our progress here, and have confidence in the new Iraqi Army, before we turn it over to them.” 

The larger issue at stake is whether the Iraqi Army has the confidence in its self, and in its men and equipment, to hold back the foreign elements that have learned to use this sector, the ‘Triangle of Death’ as a safe entry point into Baghdad.

*A version of this article was printed in the Watertown Daily Times, May 28, 2007.