Volume 11, Issue 1 Click here to subscribe Today’s investments
Click here to subscribe IP, MPs come together for ...
7
September 18, 2009 COB BASRA – Aſter only two foot patrols, a noticeable difference is made in one district of Basrah. Breaking down the barriers between the citizens of Iraq and Iraqi Police and U.S. forces is a complicated task. Staff Sgt. Barne, 1st Squad Leader, 1st Platoon, 810th Military Police Company, believes the way to do this is through community policing. Community policing is a new concept to Iraqi Police. For years, IP were a reactive force. U.S. forces are working with them to become more proactive. Community policing, sometimes called neighborhood policing, is a strategy based on interaction with the community to help reduce crime and therefore reduce fear. When community members have good relationships with police in the area they are more likely to identify suspects and bring problems in the area to the aen- tion of the police. It can be hard to fully understand the impact of commu- nity policing until you get out there and do it. That is just what the MPs wanted to do. Soon aſter the squad established a rapport with the dis- trict Iraqi Police station commander in Basrah, Barne sug- gested a joint foot patrol. He explained how being out in the neighborhood face-to-face with the people together will help build the confidence of the IP. The station commander thought this was an excellent idea. A foot patrol had not been conducted in the area for a long time. There was extensive planning done to coordinate all aspects of the patrol, including equipment, logistics, per- sonnel and assigned duties. Personnel were increased for security purposes and everyone was assigned specific areas of responsibility. During the foot patrol, IPs took the lead to initiate inter- action with the locals as the MPs aided with security and logistics. When the first foot patrol began, there were no children in sight. The neighborhood was extremely quiet. Aſter a few stops, the neighborhood became alive with young ones. The children wanted to give high fives to the American Soldiers and were eager to see what surprises the Iraqi Police had for them. Their parents slowly made their way to the streets to see the joint patrol for themselves. By the end of the mission, Barne and his squad concluded this effort had to be done again soon. They did not want to lose the momentum. The MP squad visited the station a few more times before conducting a second foot patrol recently. This time the adults were more open to speaking with the IP and meeting U.S. troops. While out on the streets the squad explained they were here to train and advise Iraqi Security Forces. They dis- cussed the goal of ISF protecting the people and continuing to stabilize the country as U.S. troops withdraw. The patrol distributed school supplies, art supplies, soc- cer balls and candy donated by friends and family of the Soldiers in 1st Platoon. Staff Sgt. Chandler, team leader, 1st Squad, said the support from home has been overwhelm- ing. This squad plans to continue to take a community polic- ing approach at their assigned IP station as they have seen a positive reception since they have begun visiting the station. They understand the full importance of continuing to build trust between the Iraqi people, IP and U.S forces. By Staff Sgt. Alina Kennedy MND-B Click here to subscribe Photo by Spc. Andrew Paredes An Iraqi Police Officer from a local Station in Basrah gives a small boy a pair of shorts during a patrol recently. IP, MPs come together for community policing in Basrah Click here for More Photos Click More
Transcript of Click here to subscribe IP, MPs come together for ...
September 18, 2009
COB BASRA – Aft er only two foot patrols, a noticeable diff erence is made in one district of Basrah. Breaking down the barriers between the citizens of Iraq and Iraqi Police and U.S. forces is a complicated task.
Staff Sgt. Barnett , 1st Squad Leader, 1st Platoon, 810th Military Police Company, believes the way to do this is through community policing.
Community policing is a new concept to Iraqi Police. For years, IP were a reactive force. U.S. forces are working with them to become more proactive. Community policing, sometimes called neighborhood policing, is a strategy based on interaction with the community to help reduce crime and therefore reduce fear. When community members have good relationships with police in the area they are more likely to identify suspects and bring problems in the area to the att en-tion of the police.
It can be hard to fully understand the impact of commu-nity policing until you get out there and do it. That is just what the MPs wanted to do.
Soon aft er the squad established a rapport with the dis-trict Iraqi Police station commander in Basrah, Barnett sug-gested a joint foot patrol. He explained how being out in the neighborhood face-to-face with the people together will help build the confi dence of the IP. The station commander thought this was an excellent idea.
A foot patrol had not been conducted in the area for a long time. There was extensive planning done to coordinate all aspects of the patrol, including equipment, logistics, per-sonnel and assigned duties. Personnel were increased for security purposes and everyone was assigned specifi c areas of responsibility.
During the foot patrol, IPs took the lead to initiate inter-action with the locals as the MPs aided with security and logistics.
When the fi rst foot patrol began, there were no children in sight. The neighborhood was extremely quiet. Aft er a few stops, the neighborhood became alive with young ones. The children wanted to give high fi ves to the American Soldiers and were eager to see what surprises the Iraqi Police had for them. Their parents slowly made their way to the streets to see the joint patrol for themselves. By the end of the mission, Barnett and his squad concluded this eff ort had to be done again soon. They did not want to lose the momentum.
The MP squad visited the station a few more times before
conducting a second foot patrol recently. This time the adults were more open to speaking with the IP and meeting U.S. troops. While out on the streets the squad explained they were here to train and advise Iraqi Security Forces. They dis-cussed the goal of ISF protecting the people and continuing to stabilize the country as U.S. troops withdraw.
The patrol distributed school supplies, art supplies, soc-cer balls and candy donated by friends and family of the Soldiers in 1st Platoon. Staff Sgt. Chandler, team leader, 1st Squad, said the support from home has been overwhelm-ing.
This squad plans to continue to take a community polic-ing approach at their assigned IP station as they have seen a positive reception since they have begun visiting the station. They understand the full importance of continuing to build trust between the Iraqi people, IP and U.S forces.
By Staff Sgt. Alina KennedyMND-B
Click here to subscribe
Photo by Spc. Andrew Paredes
An Iraqi Police Offi cer from a local Station in Basrah gives a small boy a pair of shorts during a patrol recently.
IP, MPs come together for community policing in Basrah
Click here forMore PhotosClickMore
September 18, 2009 Page 2The Red Bull Report
34th Inf. Div. PAO: Lt. Col. Kevin Olson34th Inf. Div. Deputy PAO: Capt. Dayna E. RowdenOIC, Command Information: Maj. Page BaldwinNCOIC, Command Information: 1st Sgt. Larry MearsNCOIC: Staff Sgt. Dave LankfordManaging Editor: Staff Sgt. Derek SmithAssignment Editor: Sgt. Debralee P. Crankshaw Graphics Designer: Sgt. Eric JungelsLayout/Design: Spc. Stephanie CassinosStaff Writers: Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey Mullett,Sgt. Frank Vaughn, Sgt. Brandon LeFlore, Spc. Darryl Montgomery, Pfc. J. Princeville Lawrence
172nd Brigade Combat Team
17th Fires Brigade
4th BCT, 1st Armored Division
343rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
Task Force 28
Media Queries please contact 34th Inf. Div. Public Affairs Offi ce at [email protected]
The Red Bull Report is an authorized publication for members of MND-S. Contents of The Red Bull Report are not necessarily offi cial views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, Department of Defense, Department of the Army or the 34th Infantry Division. All editorial content of The Red Bull Report is prepared, edited provided and approved by the 34th Infantry Division Public Affairs Offi ce.
17
17
When only half of registered voters went to the polls in recent provincial elections in Basrah local journalists blamed the low turnout on citizens’ failure to understand the power of their votes.
One solution: Educate the next generation.However, studying the electoral process is generally not
part of the Iraqi high school curriculum.Staff at the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Basrah
thought perhaps the time was right for a program for stu-dents on elections. Teaming up with Iraq’s Rural Women’s Association, the staff created a pilot program called “The Power to Change Is in Your Voice,” which was funded through Quick Response Funds for less than $25,000.
The program’s content was reviewed by the director of Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission, the Basrah deputy general for education and Basrah’s director of educa-tion planning, who formally endorsed it.
Fift y Students Twenty-fi ve students from Al-Ashar Girls High School
and an equal number from Al-Motamayzien Boys High School att ended the course, in which student participation was voluntary. Two members of the Iraqi Bar Association were the course’s principal instructors, and fi ve teachers from each high school att ended classes, each with an as-signed group of fi ve students. The principals of both schools also att ended.
The importance of the course’s topic grabbed students’ at-tention aft er the fi rst week, and several said it was diff erent from anything else they’d studied in school. Participating teachers said the classes broadened their knowledge. Stu-dents said they wanted plays and art added to the program. Several girls in the class wanted to discuss women’s rights, likening the subject to a tree and asking “How deep are the roots? How fast does it grow?” Delighted with student and teacher interest, the schools added more classroom hours.
At the completion of the course, the students submitt ed essays about what they learned, and the student with the
best paper from each school received a laptop computer, as did his or her teacher.
Joint ClassIn Iraq, males and females att end separate schools. For
the last class, the boys and girls were brought together for the essay contest presentation. There was some concern that parents might not like the idea of the joint session, but no one objected.
The joint session was att ended by the deputy general for education, the director of the Independent High Electoral Commission and the director for Basrah education plan-ning. Two TV and two radio stations covered the class.
In the last week of the course, all 50 students turned in es-says. The evaluation of the essays emphasized research but also considered class participation and the student’s support
CIVICPage 4
By Michael D. SunshineBasrah Provencial Reconstruction Team
Courtesy photo
A student from Basra Al-Ashar Girls High School used art to compare the rights of women to the growth of a tree.
Civics Class: Iraqi students learn value of elections
COB BASRA – A new 30,000 square-foot post exchange, located at the for-mer Dining Facility 4 near Camp Char-lie, will open at Contingency Operating Base Basra Sept. 19 at 9 a.m.
Col. Ronald Albrecht, deputy chief of staff for 34th Red Bull Infantry Divi-sion and a native of Cedar Falls, Iowa, said the new PX is at least 10 times big-ger than the one currently in use and will be the second-largest PX in Iraq when it opens for business.
“The inside is all done,” Albrecht said. “This is going to be an exciting addition to COB Basra and everyone should have an easier time shopping at the new facility.”
Albrecht said the new PX isn’t com-pletely replacing the old one, as it will remain open as well. Additionally, the PX trailer currently located outside the former DFAC 4 will be moved across post to a location across from the Red Bull Café – or DFAC 2 – and in close proximity to the band pavilion, fi nance and the post offi ce.
“Our goal is to make shopping for essentials convenient all around this post,” Albrecht said. “Now, no matt er where you’re located, you will have an opportunity to stop in and get what you need.”
The new facility, while ready to open for business, will still undergo changes to improve shopping and eating choic-
es in the near future.“There will be a food court there, but
it isn’t ready yet,” Albrecht said. “Even-tually there will be a Burger King, Pizza Hut, Charlie’s (Subs), a Subway trailer and another Green Beans walk-up fa-cility.”
Albrecht also said a bazaar featuring local vendors will open in the PX area and private specialty vendors will also set up areas inside the facility.
“It’s going to be like you would see in Talil or at Camp Victory in Baghdad,” Al-brecht said.
Shopping is about to get more con-venient at COB Basra. This comes cour-tesy of a continuing eff ort to improve our foxhole.
The Red Bull Report September 18, 2009 Page 3
By Sgt. Frank VaughnMND-S
Cedar Falls was founded in 1845 by William Sturgis. It was originally
named Sturgis Falls, for the fi rst family who sett led the site. The Stur-gis family moved on within a few years and the city was renamed Cedar Falls because of its proximity to the Cedar River. However the city’s founders are
honored each year with a three day community-wide celebration named
in their honor - the Sturgis Falls Celebration.
improving our foxhole:
or
New PX opens Sept. 19
Photo by by Sgt. Frank Vaughn
Army and Air Force Exchange Service workers prepare the new Post Exchange, located at the former Dining Facility 4 at Contingency Operating Base Basra, for a grand opening to take place Sept. 19 at 9 a.m.
A new 30
For more about our Foxhole, visit:www.TheRedBulls.org/ImprovingOurFoxhole
PX Grand Opening!Date: Sept. 19
Time: 9 a.m.
Location: Old DFAC 4
The Red Bull Report September 18, 2009 Page 4
COB BASRA – “Off we go into the wild blue yonder …” is the fi rst line from the United States Air Force theme song. As the Air Force celebrates its 62nd birthday Sept. 18 its operations continue around the world.
From its simple beginnings, the need for an air service was brought to light during the European campaign of World War I. Offi cially, the Air Force began as the Aero-nautical Section, Signal Corps in 1909 and commissioned as the United States Army Air Corps in 1926. It went through fi ve designations during the early part of the cen-tury before becoming the United States Air Force on Sept. 18, 1947.
President Harry S. Truman signed the National Securi-ty Act in 1947 that established the Air Force as a separate service. The agreement allowed for the Air Force to have the same status as the Army and Navy as a branch of the armed forces of the United States.
Throughout the history of the U.S. Air Force, there have been signifi cant events that have defi ned the monumen-tal contributions to the success of the U.S. Armed Forces. Key to those events have been participation in the fi rst jet aerial combat operations during the Korean confl ict 1950-1953, a signifi cant role in Vietnam from 1963 to 1975 including the airlift of the remaining U.S. combat troops when hostilities ceased.
The Air Force has provided a large number of pilots to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in support of the United States’ space program from the 1960s to the present.
The Air Force developed the fi rst laser-guided bombs between 1970 and 1980. This time period also saw the in-troduction of the F-15 Eagle, the A-10 Thunderbolt II, also known as the Warthog, the Airborne Warning and Con-trol System and the F-16 Falcon aircraft .
The F-117 Nighthawk and the B-1 were introduced be-tween 1980 and 1990, revealing Stealth technology and the fi rst super-sonic strategic bomber for the Air Force,
deploying in support of Desert Storm in 1992. The U.S. Air Force provided the bulk of the Allied air support dur-ing the confl ict.
From 1990 through 2000 the Air Force provided air sup-port to the NATO mandated no-fl y zones over Bosnia and Serbia. This was the fi rst time the Air Force took military action as part of a NATO mission.
Current operations in support of Operation Iraqi Free-dom and Operation Enduring Freedom have seen con-tinued deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001 in support of Coalition forces and the Iraq Army’s fi ght against insurgents.
Today, the U.S. Air Force is the largest and most tech-nologically advanced in the world. There are about 5,800 manned aircraft and 150 unmanned aircraft in its arsenal and a total of just under 500,000 personnel on active, Air Force Reserve, Individual Ready Reserve and Air-Nation-al Guard.
Happy birthday to the United States Air Force, and thank you for guarding our skies.
to his or her team. Both schools provid-ed teachers for the evaluation process.
Once the essays were reviewed by an oversight committ ee, the winners were announced at a banquet att ended by 250 family members, instructors, the essay evaluation board and Inde-pendent High Electoral Commission personnel. There, the area’s police chief and its newly elected member of the
national assembly assisted with the ceremony.
The winning student from Al-Ashar Girls High School wrote: “When I am able to vote, it will be for the candidate who serves my people before personal aspiration.”
The winner from Al- Motamayzien Boys High School wrote: “We must carefully choose our representatives because they will lead not for a day, but for years.”
“The program helped raise student
awareness for the principles of democ-racy through the most civilized weap-on—the voice,” said the Basra Educa-tion Supervisor.
Editors note:About the author: Mike Sunshine is
the Public Diplomacy Offi cer with the Basra Provincial Reconstruction Team.
This article was reprinted with per-mission from State Magazine, an offi cial publication of the U.S. State Depart-ment.
From Page 2CIVIC
For more of Sgt. 1st Class Mullett’s stories, visit:www.TheRedBulls.org/Mullett
U.S. Air Force: 62 years strongwwwwwwwwwweeeeee gogogogogogoggogo iiiiiiii i iiinnnnnnnnnnn
Courtesy photo
By Sgt. 1st Class Jeff MullettMND-S
The Red Bull Report September 18, 2009 Page 5
Cultural SensitivityU.S. forces support the Iraqi people’s right to celebrate their national identity and heritage during this holy month.Avoid the following cultural insensitivities:- Calling Iraqis derogatory names or slang words.- Referring to Iraqis by their religious preference.- Profane or derogatory gestures.- Arguing and shouting.- Loud music and profane language.- Eating meals in the presence of Iraqis during daylight.
For puzzle solutions visit: www.TheRedBulls.org/puzzlesolutions
1. Not tall6. Broth10. History14. Cyphers15. Sea eagle16. Sword17. Put up with something18. Close19. Gosh!20. Humdrum22. Therefore23. Resort24. Marine mollusk26. Sett ing
30. Agile Old World viverrine32. Biblical garden33. Cold-shoulder35. Betel palm39. A writing tablet41. Old age42. Equestrian43. Serf44. As well46. Anagram of “Sail”47. Vigorously passionate49. Soft 51. Even though
54. Donation55. Backside56. Mating closely related individuals63. Indian music64. Former vice-president Al65. Cowboy sport66. Roasting appliance67. Protective ditch68. Gather69. Whip mark70. ___ meridiem71. Cheer up
1. Con game2. Vagabond3. Chief Norse god4. Start over5. Spreads sleeping sickness6. Ringworm bush7. Chocolate cookie8. A Central American sloth9. A human being10. Walker11. Not together12. Twilled fabric13. Male singing range
21. Creative work25. 365 days26. Net27. Doing nothing28. Loyal29. Narrow-minded30. Wadi31. Concludes34. Warmth36. Modify writt en material37. A prisoner’s room38. Backside40. Decorative case
45. Gawk at48. A symbol of disgrace or infamy50. Come forth51. It’s shot from a bow52. Depart53. Deli item54. Mountain crest57. Midday58. A very troublesome child59. A girl’s toy60. Bright thought61. Tidy62. Departed
Across
Down
Crossword
Archery enthusiasts!
Contact Staff Sgt. Kristen King at
Interested in doing radio and television interviews
Sept. 18?
The Red Bull Report September 18, 2009 Page 6
Kelly Green Team - Winners of the CoS Olympics Tire Pull Event. Lt. Col. Steve S. Hanson, commander DSTB, Maj. Stephen M. Burggraff, XO DSTB, Lt. Col. Lowell E. Kruse, MND-S Deputy G-7 and Lt. Col. Jeffrey P Johnson, MND-S IG
With much anticipation, the opening of the Chief of Staff Olympics commenced on Sept. 16 and will run the next two Wednesdays concluding with the PT Jubilee on Sept. 30. This week’s Olympic events included the Duathlon and Tire Pull.
Results of Duathlon: 1st TEAM RED, 2nd TEAM BLUE, 3rd TEAM FOREST GREEN, 4th TEAM YELLOW, 5th TEAM KELLY GREEN
Results of Tire Drag: 1st TEAM KELLY GREEN, 2nd TEAM FOREST GREEN, 3rd TEAM YELLOW, 4th TEAM RED, 5th TEAM BLUE
At time of publication, offi cial standings were being challenged by points of contention. These points are being ruled on by the Olympic Committ ee.
Week ONE:
September 18, 2009 Page 7The Red Bull Report
Around the world in 34 secondsCAMP BUCCA, Iraq - The U.S. military closed Camp Bucca, an isolated desert prison that was once its largest lockup in Iraq, Sept. 16 as it moves to release thousands of detainees or transfer them to Iraqi custody before the end of the year. The facility just north of Kuwait has held thousands of men, including Sunni insurgents, Shiite extremists and al-Qaida in Iraq suspects over six years of war. “They’ve been vett ed as some of the most dangerous threats not only to Iraq but
internationally,” said Lt. Col. Kenneth King, commander of the detention facility. All were to be transferred to either Camp Taji or Camp Cropper just outside Baghdad, the U.S. military’s two remaining detention facilities, while cases are prepared to try to bring them to trial in Iraqi courts. Sixty-fi ve have already been convicted and are awaiting death sentences, said Brig. Gen. David Quantock, commander in charge of the detention system.
NEW HAVEN, Conn. - A Yale graduate student found stuff ed in the wall of a research center had been suff ocated, the medical examiner reported Sept. 16 as police awaited DNA tests on evidence taken from a lab technician who worked in the building. Police call Raymond Clark III a “person of interest” in the slaying of Annie Le. Authorities hoped to com-pare the results of DNA tests taken from Clark’s hair, fi ngernails and saliva with evidence collected at the crime scene
and from Clark’s Middletown, Conn., apartment. Investigators said they expect to determine within days whether Clark should be charged in the killing. He was escorted in handcuff s from his apartment and released Sept. 16 into the custody of his att orney, police said. Lewis said police expect to seek an arrest warrant for anyone whose DNA matches evidence at the crime scene.
ARLINGTON, Texas - The new Cowboys Stadium may have a record-sett ing full house Sept. 20. Cowboys spokesman Brett Daniels said the team’s standing-room “Party Pass” tickets, at $29 apiece, have sold out. The Cowboys will say only that the standing-room total exceeds 20,000 fans. Combined with regular ticket sales in the 80,000-seat stadium, Dallas could challenge the NFL att endance record of 103,467 when they take on the New York Giants. The record was set Oct.
2, 2005, when San Francisco and Arizona played a regular-season game at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City.
NEW YORK (AP) - Even as states and jurisdictions made gay and lesbian marriages legal, “The Newlywed Game” has played it straight — until now. The long-running game show, now on the GSN cable network, said Sept. 16 it will feature its fi rst gay couple this season on a celebrity edition. George Takei, who played Mr. Sulu on “Star Trek,” will appear with his husband, Brad Altman, who just celebrated their fi rst anniversary aft er being married in Los Angeles last September.
They have been together for 22 years. “What we want is to display the normality and the joy of having a happy union,” Takei said. “The Newlywed Game” premiered in prime-time on ABC in 1967, mostly with Bob Eubanks as host. Singer Carnie Wilson is now host of the show. Kelly Goode, GSN’s programming chief, said she couldn’t speculate on why gay couples were never included because GSN has only been responsible for the show for two years. She said it was in the rules that couples needed to have a legally-recognized marriage to play.
