Friday, September 21, 2007

3rd HBCT Discusses Security With Mada'in Quada Leaders

Capt. Dave J. Smith, commander of Headquarters Troop, 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, provides an update on his unit's operations to Iraqi security force partners at Forward Operating Base Hammer, Sept. 19.

Lt. Col. Ryan J. Kuhn talks with the mayor of the Mada’in Qada, Abu Bahar, before a security meeting Sept. 19.


MAJ. JOE SOWERS
3RD HBCT, 3RD INF. DIV.

FOB HAMMER — Representatives from 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, Iraqi police, Iraqi army and the government of the Mada’in Qada gathered Sept. 19 at FOB Hammer to discuss security issues and initiatives.

The purpose of the meeting was to synchronize the efforts of all units to decrease violence and secure the population of the Mada’in Qada. Mada’in Qada Mayor Abu Bahar
expressed his appreciation of the Iraqi army’s participation in the meeting. Iraqi army units are a recent addition to Iraqi Security Forces in the region.

During the meeting, unit representatives briefed their counterparts on current and future operations. Much time was dedicated to proposed improvements to ISF facilities and plans to integrate concerned citizens groups into security efforts.
Concerned citizens groups within the Mada’in Qada are a new development. Leaders from 3rd HBCT estimate about 1,000 local citizens now play a role as part of concerned citizens groups. The concerned citizens are groups of Iraqi volunteers who
cooperate with Coalition Forces to drive terrorists and insurgents from their own neighborhoods. “This is a huge success,” Bahar said through an interpreter. “We would like to expand this concept to other regions.”

Bahar also said he has begun discussions with local leaders to initiate additional volunteer groups in areas that currently have no such organization. Lt. Col. Ryan J. Kuhn, deputy commander of 3rd HBCT, concurred with the mayor that concerned citizens were having a positive effect. He went on to emphasize that 3rd HBCT leadership is prepared to begin discussion with any local sheik interested in establishing a group of volunteers and encouraged his ISF counterparts to actively seek out volunteer leaders.

Brig. Gen. Adnon, the Chief of Iraqi police in the Qada, provided an update on a recent IP recruiting drive. He estimated that 80 percent of the 122 recruits have completed all prerequisites for admittance in the police academy with the exception
of physicals. Maj. Dave Fivecoat, 3rd HBCT operations offi cer, outlined the brigade’s plan to establish two Joint Security Sites. The JSS would serve as
command posts with representation from all ISF elements, local government and 3rd HBCT.

Kuhn said the establishment of Joint Security Sites would allow security forces to conduct coordinated security operations 24 hours a day. “There are a lot of great things going on in the Mada’in Qada due to everyone’s hard work,” Kuhn said.
“We have seen a signifi cant decrease in violence in the Mada’in Qada.” The 3rd HBCT is assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga., and has been deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom since March.

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