Col. Wayne W. Grigsby, Jr., from Prince George's County, Md., commander, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, greets Col. Abdul, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 8th Iraqi Army Division, before a meeting with Iraqi Security Forces and civic leaders of the Mada'in Qada at Forward Operating Base Hammer.
Col. Wayne W. Grigsby, Jr., from Prince George's County, Md., commander, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, speaks to Amir Turky Jabbar, the al Mada'in investigative judge operating in Jisr Diyala, during a meeting at Forward Operating Base Hammer.
Col. Wayne W. Grigsby, Jr., from Prince George's County, Md., commander, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, greets Col. Abdul, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 8th Iraqi Army Division, before a meeting with Iraqi Security Forces and civic leaders of the Mada'in Qada at Forward Operating Base Hammer.Story by Spc. Ben Hutto
FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq – Leaders from the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, the national police and the Iraqi army met to coordinate their efforts in Mada’in Qada at FOB Hammer.
The leaders discussed operational successes during the past two weeks and focused on streamlining the operations of the three joint security sites in the qada, helping displaced families regain their homes and planning joint operations to disrupt insurgent cells working in the Mada’in Qada.
“We’ve made some great gains over the last eight weeks but, more importantly, we’ve made some great friends,” said Col. Wayne W. Grigsby, Jr., from Prince George’s County, Md., commander, 3rd HBCT, 3rd Infantry Division. “Friends of honor and friends that have been working side by side with us.”
Maj. David Fivecoat, from Delaware, Ohio, the operations officer of the 3rd HBCT, explained that the murder and attack rates in the qada during the month of October were significantly down from previous months and early indicators in November indicated that the trend was continuing.
Fivecoat outlined the recent success, but explained that Coalition Forces needed better reporting from the various joint security sites in the qada. He said leaders needed to improve their cooperation and do a better job of synchronizing their operations.
Col. A’amir, commander of the 1st Brigade, 1st National Police Division, agreed with Fivecoat, but stressed that his brigade was shorthanded and needed help at the moment. He also asked the 3rd HBCT to help communicate with the Iraqi government to get more jobs for local residents.
Amir Turky Jabbar, the Al Mada’in investigative judge operating in Jisr Diyala, was present to explain his role in the qada and changes he would like to see. He cited security in Salman Pak as one of his chief concerns, but listened as Aamir and Grigsby explained that the area has become more stable, citing recent successful 3rd HBCT and NP operations.
“Rule of law is an important component for the people of this qada,” Grigsby said. “A characteristic of a successful nation state isn’t just security. The people need to be able to go before judges and have their disputes settled in a civilized manner by rule of law. That is why your presence in the qada is so important.”
A’amir believed that the presence of a judge in Salman Pak would do even more to secure the area. He explained that criminals had been able to operate without fear of prosecution. A judge, he said, was crucial in bringing these men to justice and getting them off the streets.
Grigsby ended the meeting on a positive note by inviting everyone back to discuss future operations.
“The great thing is that we are all focusing together to get rid of the bad people operating here so the good people of the Mada’in Qada can prosper,” Grigsby said.
FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq – Leaders from the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, the national police and the Iraqi army met to coordinate their efforts in Mada’in Qada at FOB Hammer.
The leaders discussed operational successes during the past two weeks and focused on streamlining the operations of the three joint security sites in the qada, helping displaced families regain their homes and planning joint operations to disrupt insurgent cells working in the Mada’in Qada.
“We’ve made some great gains over the last eight weeks but, more importantly, we’ve made some great friends,” said Col. Wayne W. Grigsby, Jr., from Prince George’s County, Md., commander, 3rd HBCT, 3rd Infantry Division. “Friends of honor and friends that have been working side by side with us.”
Maj. David Fivecoat, from Delaware, Ohio, the operations officer of the 3rd HBCT, explained that the murder and attack rates in the qada during the month of October were significantly down from previous months and early indicators in November indicated that the trend was continuing.
Fivecoat outlined the recent success, but explained that Coalition Forces needed better reporting from the various joint security sites in the qada. He said leaders needed to improve their cooperation and do a better job of synchronizing their operations.
Col. A’amir, commander of the 1st Brigade, 1st National Police Division, agreed with Fivecoat, but stressed that his brigade was shorthanded and needed help at the moment. He also asked the 3rd HBCT to help communicate with the Iraqi government to get more jobs for local residents.
Amir Turky Jabbar, the Al Mada’in investigative judge operating in Jisr Diyala, was present to explain his role in the qada and changes he would like to see. He cited security in Salman Pak as one of his chief concerns, but listened as Aamir and Grigsby explained that the area has become more stable, citing recent successful 3rd HBCT and NP operations.
“Rule of law is an important component for the people of this qada,” Grigsby said. “A characteristic of a successful nation state isn’t just security. The people need to be able to go before judges and have their disputes settled in a civilized manner by rule of law. That is why your presence in the qada is so important.”
A’amir believed that the presence of a judge in Salman Pak would do even more to secure the area. He explained that criminals had been able to operate without fear of prosecution. A judge, he said, was crucial in bringing these men to justice and getting them off the streets.
Grigsby ended the meeting on a positive note by inviting everyone back to discuss future operations.
“The great thing is that we are all focusing together to get rid of the bad people operating here so the good people of the Mada’in Qada can prosper,” Grigsby said.
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