Iraqi Security Forces give back to Anbar citizens

Story by Sgt. Dorian Gardner

AL ANBAR PROVINCE, Iraq –Iraqi Security Forces visited various locations within eastern Anbar province and conducted repairs at different schools and clinics during a larger security force operation that recently concluded in early July 2009.
    These missions were made possible by the in-depth coordination between Iraqi Police, Provincial Security Forces, Iraqi army, local contractors and several elements of Regimental Combat Team 6, according to 1st Lt. John D. Adamo, an intelligence officer with RCT-6. Cooperating groups aimed to improve the existing relationship between Provincial Security Forces and the citizens by providing aid and supplies in the areas of al Jazeerah and Saqlawiyah.
The first operation took place in Saqlawiyah, a rural area located eight kilometers northwest of Fallujah, Iraq. While on site, Provincial Security Forces set up a perimeter and allowed Iraqi police officers and Marines to work within the confines of the Saqlawiyah clinic. While inside, Marines helped paint walls and fill in bullet holes, as well as mix concrete to fill in potholes in the clinic’s front walkway.
    “Not only was this mission to carry out the projects, but to partner with the Iraqi Security Forces and support them in improving their relations with the people of Iraq,” said 1st Lt. Abby Maxwell, 3rd Detachment Civil Affairs Group, 2nd Battalion, 10th Marines, RCT-6.
    Once in the clinic, Iraqi contractors and Marines didn’t take long to complete tasks set for them.
    “We asked for help from the Marines, and they responded quickly,” said Dr. Omar Mahmood, head doctor of Saqlawiyah Clinic. “They gave us everything we needed to reconstruct our clinic.”
    During a separate mission, 1st Lt. Alexander A. Usztics, RCT-6 Headquarters Company executive officer, led a team of Marines in Ramadi, Iraq, to assist Iraqi contractors in the repairs of Al Taqwah School.
     “Our mission was to perform cosmetic and functional repairs of the Al Taqwah School in Ramadi, as well as increase the popular support of the Iraqi populace toward Iraqi Security Forces,” said Usztics.
    Once Iraqis and Marines arrived, a clean-up of the entire school was carried out. After the trash was removed, Iraqis and Marines began planting shrubs around the school. Days prior, an Iraqi contractor was at the school laying down tile, placing planting soil and power washing the exterior. The work carried out before the arrival of the Marines minimized the tasks once on scene, according to Usztics.
    Though the primary purpose of these missions was to ensure the completion of tasks given to contractors throughout the province, Iraqi police and Marines made sure to leave the local population with parting gifts.  Marines assisted Provincial Security Forces as they handed out generosity bags to the children and adults on site.
    “Each bag contained rice, sugar, lentils, chai -tea, soap, a blanket, soccer balls, backpacks and school supplies,” said Maxwell.
    These missions were two of six scheduled operations that took place over a weeklong period. Adamo went on to say that during this continuing responsible drawdown of U.S. forces, the Iraqi people will depend more on ISF to provide security and stability.
    Operations led by Iraqis reinforce the independence and professionalism of the ISF and their ability to support the people.
    “When the people see [Marines] working with the Iraqis and ISF in the lead, it gives people faith in the PSF and IPs,” said Maxwell.
    Other operations were conducted throughout the week in schools scattered throughout Saqlawiyah and al Jazeerah, each involving construction and the distribution of hundreds of generosity bags.