Eastern Baghdad gets surprise visit

ARNEWS ^ | Capt. James Lowe

[SandRat]

BAGHDAD (Army News Service, March 10, 2006) – Residents of eastern Baghdad were given a first-hand opportunity to share their viewpoints with the commanding general and command sergeant major of Multinational Division – Baghdad March 1.

Maj. Gen. J.D. Thurman, commanding general, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, and Command Sgt. Maj. Ronald Riling, went on a tour to get a close-up view of the quality of life and essential services in the neighborhoods in the capital city of the emerging democracy.

They also met with Iraqi army and 4th Brigade Combat Team leaders during on-site discussions in the brigade’s sector, including Sadr City.

While in Sadr City, Thurman sat and talked to a group of men near an auto mechanics shop. The men said they wanted electricity supplied to their homes and businesses more consistently.

“We will help you have better security and see the projects through to completion,” said Thurman. “We’ll work to improve the availability of electricity and continue working to help finish the water distribution network.”

Clean water for Baghdad

During a tour of the R-3 Water Treatment Facility, located north of Sadr City, engineers showed Thurman the progress being made.

“This facility will provide million of gallons of clean water to this portion of Baghdad daily,” said Lt. Col. Chris Hall, commander, 4th Brigade Troops Battalion. Hall also described how 19 completed water compact units, as well as 61 currently being worked on will provide clean water to Sadr City residents later this year.

Thurman stressed the importance of getting the best people to do this and that he would return to check up on what they needed periodically.

While visiting residents in Zafarania and the Muhallas, Thurman took advantage of an opportunity to hand out toy animals to excited neighborhood children. Lt. Col. Kevin Milton, commander, 4th Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, introduced Thurman to the residents, who shared their concerns about security and essential services.

Thurman assured them the division would provide assistance to help their local leaders resolve their issues.

On one of the main thoroughfares of east Baghdad, Thurman visited one of the check points used by the Iraqi police to monitor traffic.

Iraqi army checkpoint praised

Lt. Col. Mark Bertolini, commander, 3rd Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, described the build up of the check points. He described combined operations with the Iraqi army and how well the Iraqi police perform in screening traffic. Bertolini’s tanker teams patrol portions of the road and provide assistance to the IPs when they request support.

Thurman also met with Maj. Gen. Jawad, commander of the 2nd Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, and thanked him for his strong leadership in protecting mosques following the bombing of the Samarra Golden Mosque.

(Editor’s note: Capt. James Lowe serves with 4th BCT PAO, 101st Airborne Division.)

[SandRat]

Maj. Gen. J.D. Thurman, commanding general, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, listens to concerned Iraqi citizens in Zafarenia, located in eastern Baghdad, while conducting a patrol with the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division March 1.

Maj. Gen. J.D. Thurman, commanding general, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, listens to a concerned Iraqi in Zafarenia, located in eastern Baghdad, while conducting a patrol with the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division Soldiers March 1.

[El Gato]

Maj. Gen. J.D. Thurman, commanding general, Multi-National Division

Also CG, 4th Infantry Division, Ft. Hood Texas.

HooAah.