Some Good News in Iraq

More positive happenings : For those with open eyes...

Operation Gaugamela Fact Sheet

Detainees:
154 total
71 have been screened and remain in custody
(11 in CF custody, 60 in ISF custody)
83 are currently being screened
Assets Involved:
1 Iraqi brigade headquarters
1 Coalition brigade headquarters
4 Iraqi Army combat battalions
4 Coalition combat battalions
1 Iraqi Army headquarters support company
1 Coalition support battalion
16 AH-64D Apache helicopters
18 OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters
9 UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters
2 UH-60 command and control helicopters
8 CH-47 Chinook helicopters
Materials Seized:
358 AK-47 rifl es
6 automatic rifl es
5 miscellaneous rifl es
21 pistols
300 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition
2 scopes
41 rocket-propelled grenades
3 rocket-propelled grenade launchers
4 grenades
2 artillery rounds
7 vehicles prepped for use as a vehicle-borne IEDs
400 feet of electrical wire
Fuses
Blasting caps
Detonation cord
Miscellaneous other IED making materials

www.mnstci.iraq.centcom.mil...

The Mission goes on, lives are saved and a Nation is built. While here, all we can do is whine and cry about the Mainstream Media's blood thirsty portrayal of the negative.



Semper

Funny how there are no Al-Qaida in Iraq according to some on here, and yet.....

Coalition forces successfully target terrorist
BAGHDAD — Coalition forces successfully targeted and
killed a wanted terrorist during a raid in Baghdad July 26.
The raid targeted an al-Qaida in Iraq terrorist leader who
was known for vehicle-borne improvised explosive device
attacks against Iraqi civilians, Security Forces and Coalition
troops. This individual was a known bomb maker and weapons
dealer and had signifi cant links to several high-level al–Qaida
in Iraq leaders.
Reliable and credible intelligence led the assault force to
the exact location of the targeted terrorist. The individual was
armed and fi red at the assault force. The troops returned fi re
and killed the suspect.
Upon securing the site, the troops found bomb making material,
explosives, ammunition and several radios.

www.mnstci.iraq.centcom.mil...

Seems this sort of thing is being ignored. I guess the disillusion of ones accepted precepts is painful at best.

Semper

Yup, more good news...

Generals Raise Fears of Iraq Civil War

The top U.S. military commander in the Middle East told Congress on Thursday that "Iraq could move toward civil war" if the raging sectarian violence in Baghdad is not stopped.

"I believe that the sectarian violence is probably as bad as I have seen it," Gen. John Abizaid, the commander of U.S. Central Command, told the Senate Armed Services Committee. He said the top priority in the Iraq war is to secure the capital, where factional violence has surged in recent weeks despite efforts by the new Iraqi government to stop the fighting.

More...

And:

Iraq civil war warning for Blair

Civil war is a more likely outcome in Iraq than democracy, Britain's outgoing ambassador in Baghdad has warned Tony Blair in a confidential memo.
William Patey, who left the Iraqi capital last week, also predicted the break-up of Iraq along ethnic lines.

He did also say that "the position is not hopeless" - but said it would be "messy" for five to 10 years.

More...

So many posts in this thread remind me of the analogy of admiring the paint on the picket fence, while the house is burning.... :shk:

[edit on 3-8-2006 by loam]

And your post is reminiscent of the French that collaborate with the Germans in WWII because they thought they could not win.

For the eight time, if all your looking for is the bad, if all you want to do is wallow in the negative news reports, if all you want to do is ignore the fact that 80% of Iraq leads a peaceful existence thanks to the moral courage of our men and women; then you will find what you are looking for. It appears that you have.

If you want to be one of the Lemmings that is currently jumping off the cliff of despair, then you have found your calling. I prefer to look at the entire picture, to obtain information from sources that are not dependent on the shock of the Lemmings that read their rags.

You may ignore the information posted on this thread, many Lemmings choose to, but you can not change the facts that have been presented here.

Semper

The Iraq War is not World War II. Victory is measured not in military terms, but in political, economic, and psychological terms. Many Iraq War veterans have unanimously agreed in that. All your "facts" have pointed to military successes, but again, victory in this war will not be determined in military terms.

You could throw out the whole "schools" idea, but how many of these kids are actually attending school? People are free, but how many are actually able to support their families? Have the "facts" on that? What are the facts on what this all really comes down to?

And that's all I have to say about this "nothing to say" thread.

OK
If we are through with the constant state of negativity.

Raid frees Iraqi hostage
TIKRIT — Soldiers from the 3rd Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army
Division and Coalition forces freed an Iraqi man held hostage by
terrorists during an early morning raid July 30 near the city of
Muqdadiyah.
The man was found bound and blindfolded in a hut in the
middle of a palm grove north of the city. He was transported to a
nearby Iraqi base and reunited with his family.
According to the former hostage, his captors had planned to
“judge” him July 31.
The raid was aimed at disrupting insurgent activity in the area.
In addition to freeing the hostage, the raid also resulted in the
detention of 16 suspects and the discovery of a cache of improvised
explosive device making materials and terrorist propaganda.
— Multi-National Corps – Iraq Public Affairs Offi ce

wonder how close to being beheaded he was?

Semper

Sorry it has been awhile folks, I have been busy at work.

Iraqi Police heading for the ‘Mighty Mississippi’

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Many have become used to seeing
soldiers and civilians travel from all over the world to train Iraq’s
police and security forces. And while it is not uncommon to see
those men and women in uniform boarding planes headed for
Iraq, it is very rare to see an Iraqi policeman boarding a plane
for a destination outside of his homeland. Yet this rare event took
place not once, but 16 times in Baghdad Sept. 12.
For the first time since the fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime, 16
Iraqi police offi cers boarded a plane heading to the United States.
These offi cers are part of the Iraqi River Patrol and will soon
begin riverine training at the Stennis Space Center in Mississippi.
whish is home to the U.S. Navy’s Naval Small Craft Instruction
and Technical Training School.

They will be trained by some of the school’s best instructors,
many of them members of the U.S. Navy’s elite SEAL teams.

The most important aspect of this trip is the fact that these
offi cers will become certifi ed instructors at the end of this
course, according to U.S. Army Col. James E. Cashwell, the
Civilian Police Assistance Training Team’s Baghdad regional
security team director.
“This is a true ‘train-the-trainer’ program,” Cashwell said.
“When these offi cers complete their training they will come
back to Iraq and become a national asset and be responsible for
training other Iraqi police offi cers throughout the country.”
www.mnstci.iraq.centcom.mil...=%22the%20advisor%20iraq%22

Welcome to the United States!!! We are proud to have you here...

Semper

Remembering

September 11, 2001

Members and senior leaders of Multi-National Corps –
Iraq pause for a moment of silence during a memorial
ceremony Sept. 11 at Al Faw palace in Baghdad.

www.mnstci.iraq.centcom.mil...=%22the%20advisor%20iraq%22

“These murderers bet that the
United States and its friends would
stand by and do nothing,” he said. “They
bet that we would shrink from our duty and
our purpose. They bet wrong.
“Over the last fi ve years, the United
States and its brave allies have waged an
offensive campaign against those who hate
free nations and free people,” he continued.
“Let there be no doubt, we will prevail in
this struggle.”
— By U.S. Army
Sgt. Brian James Anderson
Multi-National Corps – Iraq

Says it all

Semper

Positive attitude from one Soldier in Iraq.

Junoud: choosing to serve, no matter the cost

“When Saddam was in power, I
was forced to serve under his rulings,”
Ahmed explained with the help of an
interpreter. “I was freed from Saddam
by the Coalition, so I wanted to repay
their sacrifice and help my country.”
Ahmed said that after Saddam was
removed from power, he was told that
the Coalition needed the help of the
Iraqi people to be a liaison between the
Iraqis and the Coalition, and he saw the
appeal as his opportunity to say “thank
you” to the Coalition.
“I’ve been a part of the “new”
Iraqi Army for more than two years,”
Ahmed said. “I didn’t know how to
help, but sitting around and living in
fear wasn’t the answer.”
For Saad, he praises the Coalition
for opening the door for him to pursue
a career that he would not be a part of
if left in Saddam’s era. In the old Iraqi
Army, Saad worked in the engineering
field, and although he’s enjoyed the
career, he’s always had the desire to be
a medic.
www.mnstci.iraq.centcom.mil...=%22the%20advisor%20iraq%22

So, apparently there are some that DO want us there and appreciate what we have done and what we are doing.

Semper

One last heartfelt comment that I thought was touching.

“As an Iraqi offi cer, I would like to thank you for the great efforts
you are doing for us,” Nakeeb said. “I appreciate the efforts and the
sacrifi ces you are making.”
Coalition Soldiers should take heart in knowing the majority of
Iraqis support their presence here, Nakeeb said.
“When the Iraqi people see the American trucks, they would
like to wave their hands, say ‘Hi’ and greet them,” he said. “They
are so scared if the terrorists see them that they will be killed or
something bad will happen to their families. The Iraqi people love
the Americans from their hearts and this is more important than
waving their hands,” he explained.
www.mnstci.iraq.centcom.mil...=%22the%20advisor%20iraq%22

These people are so inspirational!

Semper

List of accusations of GIs in Iraq stuns experts

The accounts are brutal: An Iraqi man dragged from his home, executed and made to look as if he were an insurgent. Three prisoners killed by their Army captors. A team of revenge-seeking Marines going home to home, shooting down unarmed Iraqi men, women, children.

The recent flurry of accusations against U.S. servicemen has stunned military analysts and experts. Many see a critical new point in the war — though few agree whether it shows the toll of combat stress, commanders resolved to stamp out war crimes, or, as some claim, an overzealous second-guessing of the troops.

Spy Agencies Say Iraq War Worsens Terrorism Threat

The classified National Intelligence Estimate attributes a more direct role to the Iraq war in fueling radicalism than that presented either in recent White House documents or in a report released Wednesday by the House Intelligence Committee, according to several officials in Washington involved in preparing the assessment or who have read the final document.

The intelligence estimate, completed in April, is the first formal appraisal of global terrorism by United States intelligence agencies since the Iraq war began, and represents a consensus view of the 16 disparate spy services inside government. Titled “Trends in Global Terrorism: Implications for the United States,’’ it asserts that Islamic radicalism, rather than being in retreat, has metastasized and spread across the globe.

But I guess you do not find this information on all those .MIL sites - since I bet they have an entirely differnet picture of Iraq they want to show to the World.

Just how much to they pay you for posting these GREAT and WONDERFUL News?

Oh Yeah, you are doing that for Your Own Good.

Semperfortis,

I like, admire, and respect you, but are you telling me that you think things are going well in Iraq?

Seriously?

I'm at a loss for words here.

As in most other parts of the world, Iraq has good and bad news.

I just prefer to NOT wallow in the bad news that is so prevalent everywhere else and started this one small thread to remind people that there are many, many Iraqi men. women and children that appreciate us being there and are trying to make a life.

I will reiterate that I remain in contact with friends in Iraq and what you are seeing in your news reports, are people selling news papers.

Please people, are there not enough posts out there that you can post your dire predictions and depressing statements? Is it really necessary to derail a thread devoted to the positive events in one small country?

Semper

New Schools Open in Iraq.

KIRKUK, Iraq, Oct. 13, 2006 —Two schools re-opened here Oct. 12 after being renovated as part of a program in which they will serve as models for other schools in the area.

Musalla Secondary School students proudly hung their country and school flags on the newly painted walls of their refurbished school in preparation for a ceremony attended by local officials.

The secondary school and a city elementary school are the first of six to be renovated as part of the program.

“These schools were developed to set the example for Kirkuk,” said Maj. Paul Beekman, team chief, 402nd Civil Affairs Battalion. “The Board of Education can go in and look at the schools and the equipment, and emulate it throughout the region.”

The plan was funded by the Commander’s Emergency Response Program, funding authorized by Congress to restore Iraq. Local Iraqis were contracted to do the work over the summer while students were out of school.

The construction included a science laboratory featuring new computers. Students will now benefit from the improved learning atmosphere and the equipment.

“The school looks brand new and the environment will enable the students to be more focused,” said science teacher, Mr. Adel, through an interpreter. “The lab is a big improvement, allowing the students to learn hands-on.”

Musalla students were previously confined to small classrooms which limited the science projects they could work on. The new lab was designed with bigger rooms so that more students can get involved, Beekman said.

The commander of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, joined the governor of Kirkuk and local education officials at the ceremony marking the reopening of the schools.
www.defendamerica.mil...

Semper

And the Schools, get New Supplies...

CAMP TAJI, Iraq, Oct. 12, 2006 —Students from the Sheik Dhari Secondary School in Rashidiya lined up to receive school supplies Oct. 5 from the soldiers of Team 4, Company C, 414th Civil Affairs Battalion, which is attached to the Special Troops Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.

With students, teachers, community members and Iraqi police officers helping, Team 4 soldiers passed out 40 dozen notebooks, water coolers, filters, chalk, erasers and pens as the school prepares for an influx of returning students.

“This mission today is part of an ongoing project to renovate the school,” said Staff Sgt. Walter Laracuenta, team sergeant for Team 4. “We purchased the supplies locally to help improve the economy.”

Attendance at the school is going back up to previous levels as the security situation improves and people are returning to the area, said Nama Harbi, headmaster of the Sheik Dhari Secondary School.

“Security has been an issue in the past, but things are getting better,” he said. “The police have started to come around more and talk to us about our issues.”

The school focuses on Arabic, English, Kurdish, social studies, economics, geography, history, science and mathematics. Harbi said he eventually seeks to add higher-level math classes and even physics to the curriculum. This is his fourth year working at the school.

The school is one of five school projects Team 4 is working on in its area of operation. The other projects include a water treatment plant, an electrical sub-station and government
www.defendamerica.mil...

Also note the Water Treatment Plant and Substation reference.

Semper

Comments from an Iraqi actually living the experience. Not over here complaining.

“We can observe problems on the ground,” he explained.
“If we see something suspicious from the air, we are able to
call it in before a ground unit approaches that area.”
As with any other military training that has taken place
since the fall of the Saddam Hussein regime, the Iraqi pilots
have worked side-by-side with Coalition training teams and
are even sharing the cockpit with them on these missions
over the city. The commander said having Coalition pilots
alongside them gives Iraqi pilots a chance to capitalize from
the experience and knowledge of those more experienced.
“Americans are winners of wars,” he said. “During
Saddam, we didn’t have a chance to get more experience
because we lacked information. Now, we have good bylaws,
good forces and good people to share information with us so
that we can become as good as the American military.
www.mnstci.iraq.centcom.mil...

Funny how the two differ..

Semper

Semper, I really hope you are a wealthy man. If you support this war so much, then I say the bill be footed by you.

Its not going to come down to principle (it never does), its going to come down to cash. Unless we're willing to give away our money in taxes to pay for the war, then we can forget about Iraq.

It is being footed by me...

I pay a tax base of 35%

Almost the top base section..

So I have not only given my life, my sweat and my blood to causes like this, I now give my money...

So, Yes, I do pay it; and support it, thanks for asking..

Semper



[edit on 10/15/2006 by semperfortis]

[edit on 10/15/2006 by semperfortis]

Hello all. I think what Semper is getting at is our troops are doing a great deal of positive work in Iraq. In any armed conflict there will unfortunately always be civilian causalties. Also for every piece of negative news that comes out of Iraq there is a least one positive that isn't printed because lets face it bad news sell good doesn't at least not as well.

As for you Souljah we all alreadyknow you hate the United States and just can't stand to think that good can come out of any of our actions.

Semper thanks for trying to remind us that whether or not we support the war we should at least acknowledge the efforts of the troops who are serving honorably and well.

Ok folks flame on

Yes bad things happen daily in Iraq...wow, there's news.

Oddly enough, good things are happening, too. You wouldn't know it by the dinosaur media though would you? All of you who view this negativly accuse those of us who can also see the positive as being brainwashed or heads in the sand, or whatever... Really? We can see both sides of the issue...you only the negative...Who's brainwashed?

Does it really hurt so much to acknowledge that good is happening in Iraq? Of course bad things are occuring. Are any of us denying this? Nope. It's these small things, these seemingly insignificant events that the terrorists try to stop. Has it occured to any of you why that might be? Might it be because from such small, seeming insignificant events, larger good is accomplished?

Semper, you have my first WATS of the month.