ISF, MND-B Soldiers patrol Abu Ghuraib
BAGHDAD - IA and Soldiers from the 1st Bn, 21st Inf Regt, 2nd Stryker BCT, 25th ID, searched houses and patrolled streets in Baghdad's Abu Ghuraib district, Dec. 13.
Increasingly, CF have begun to step back and assume more of a support role, as the ISF step towards operational independence. "We have been working with this unit for several months, but we haven't been working this close until recently," said 1st Lt. Maxwell Pappas, plt leader for Co B, 1st Bde., 21st Inf. Regt.
"When I first came over here, I was worried about working with the Iraqi soldiers," said Spc. Jonathan Gomez, communication specialist with Co B. "But now I am confident as ever that when we leave they will be able to do their job successfully."
Combined ops alone are not going to make the ISF successful, said Pappas. Getting the GoI being capable of managing the personnel and equipment supply system is going to be a long term process. "If you build a medical clinic, all it is, is a building unless you have the supplies for it; the doctors who work in it, and the logistic exchange for it," he said. "You have to make sure it's re-supplied with medicine and make sure there are roads so the people can get to that place. It's not just constructing a building - it's making sure the whole system works."
Increasingly, CF have begun to step back and assume more of a support role, as the ISF step towards operational independence. "We have been working with this unit for several months, but we haven't been working this close until recently," said 1st Lt. Maxwell Pappas, plt leader for Co B, 1st Bde., 21st Inf. Regt.
"When I first came over here, I was worried about working with the Iraqi soldiers," said Spc. Jonathan Gomez, communication specialist with Co B. "But now I am confident as ever that when we leave they will be able to do their job successfully."
Combined ops alone are not going to make the ISF successful, said Pappas. Getting the GoI being capable of managing the personnel and equipment supply system is going to be a long term process. "If you build a medical clinic, all it is, is a building unless you have the supplies for it; the doctors who work in it, and the logistic exchange for it," he said. "You have to make sure it's re-supplied with medicine and make sure there are roads so the people can get to that place. It's not just constructing a building - it's making sure the whole system works."
Spc. Jonathan Gomez, patrols the streets in Baghdad's Abu Ghuraib.
(Army photos by Spc. Benjamin Crane)
(Army photos by Spc. Benjamin Crane)
1st Lt. Maxwell Pappas gives a low-five to a local Iraqi girl as he passes by during their joint combat.
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