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JOINT SECUIRTY STATION ZAFARANIYA, Iraq (January 4,
2009) - The Government of Iraq officially took charge of
its nation's security Jan. 1 when the U.S.-Iraqi security agreement
officially came into effect.
Under the agreement, all U.S. military action in the country
must be approved by the Iraqi Security Forces. Offensive operations
against suspected enemy forces will also be combined with ISF
partnership.
The agreement has brought no significant change to how
Paratroopers assigned to the 1st Battalion, 319th Airborne Field
Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne
Division, Multi-National Division - Baghdad operate day-to-day
business. The battalion has already been working in a secondary or
"over watch" approach to its ISF partners since their arrival to
Iraq in early December.
This was evident when Iraqi Army soldiers assigned to the 1st
Company, 2nd Battalion, 37th Brigade, 9th Infantry Division, with
assistance from Paratroopers assigned to Battery B, 1st Bn., 319th
Abn. FA Regt., led a dismounted patrol Dec. 31, a day before the
agreement took effect, in the Al Karradhah district of eastern
Baghdad.
Iraqi Army soldiers began the patrol by inspected two Sons of
Iraq checkpoints. The IA soldiers spoke with the SoI commanders at
each point to discuss the checkpoint's living conditions and
evaluate its capabilities.
The IA, along with their U.S. counterparts, then turned their
attention to patrolling a nearby populated neighborhood to conduct
counter-improvised explosive device operations. IA soldiers spoke
to local residents and took a look at the neighborhood's essential
services. The IA soldiers also gather any intelligence on
suspicions activity in the area.
Paratroopers assigned to Btry B., 1st Bn., 319th Abn. FA Regt.,
based out of Fort Bragg, N.C., clearly see a difference in how the
IA operates now compared to their first deployment. This is their
second deployment to Iraq for many Paratroopers in the unit.
They are more proactive now and really have a sense of their new
responsibilities, said Sgt. Brandon Fellers, a team leader with
Btry. B's 1st platoon.
"Their leading patrols and taking care of business," said the
Fort Dodge, Iowa native. "It's definitely a change from the first
time I was in (Iraq)."
Paratroopers asked their Iraqi counterparts for direction during
the five-hour patrol in a clear sign that the ISF was in control of
the operation.
"We make it a point that they tell us where we need to go as
oppose to us telling them where they need to go," said 1st Lt.
Chris Hoffman, a native of St. Louis and platoon leader for Btry
B., 1st Bn., 319th Abn. FA Regt.
The atmosphere in the neighborhood was positive throughout the
patrol as residents greeted the IA soldiers and their coalition
partners with waves and smiles. IA soldiers were offered tea to
drink and Iraqi children asked Paratroopers for handshakes and
pictures during the patrol.
The Iraqi people clearly feel a change in the country due to the
improved security, said one Iraqi Army soldier assigned to the 2nd
Bn., 3rd Bde, 79th Inf. Div.
"Everything has changed, and the Iraqi people feel much better
right now," he said. "You can feel the difference in security from
just a couple of years ago."
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