Iraqi, U.S. Troops Team up to Protect Pipelines

Defend America News ^ | Capt. Lyn Graves

[SandRat]

Iraqi, U.S. Troops Team up to Protect Pipelines
Bastogne soldiers of 101st Airborne Division train Iraqi battalion to guard oil pipelines.
By Capt. Lyn Graves 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment KIRKUK, Iraq, April 11, 2006 — The Iraqi Strategic Infrastructure Battalion soldier stands on top of a liquid gold mine. That is, he stands atop six percent of the world’s known oil reserve, deep beneath the sands of northern Iraq, in and around Kirkuk. "This is very different, so it will take us time to adapt and to learn this new way; but, this new way is better, more simple and easy to understand." Iraqi battalion 1st Lt. Ghasan Ibrahim Ronaye, a platoon leader responsible for several guard posts. The Iraqi battalion, partnered with Bastogne soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division, are the guardians of the pipelines that move the oil throughout the country. “The SIB is a focus for the coalition forces,” said 1st Lt. Jacob Bailey, a native of Texas native and platoon leader from 2nd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team. “(Abu Musab al-) Zarqawi said that he will focus on the infrastructure, and so are we.” Ensuring that the Iraqi soldiers are prepared to guard the pipeline means working closely with the Iraqi leadership at the company and platoon levels. “The focus is on the platoon leadership, making sure they have a training plan and that they are actively implementing that Two Iraqi soldiers stand atop an oil pipeline while U.S. Army 1st Lt. Jacob Bailey and Staff Sgt. Chris DeMarsico, both with Alpha Battery, 2nd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division meet with members of the Iraqi Strategic Infrastructure Battalion to discuss training. U.S. Army photo by Capt. Lyn Graves	U.S. Army 1st Lt. Jacob Bailey and Staff Sgt. Chris DeMarsico, both with Alpha Battery, 2nd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division meet with members of the Iraqi Strategic Infrastructure Battalion to discuss training. U.S. Army photo by Capt. Lyn Graves plan,” said Staff Sgt. Chris DeMarsico of North Adams, Mass. DeMarsico explained the finer points of standing watch to the Iraqi soldiers, quizzing them and their leaders to ensure standards are understood and maintained. “I want you to take that next step and teach your soldiers; I want you to be a good leader to them,” DeMarsico told one of the Iraqi non-commissioned officers. Teaching basic leadership and organizational management to the Iraqi battalion is a challenge, Bastogne soldiers and their Iraqi counterparts face every day. “We teach and instruct the soldiers many times a day to make sure they do what they must,” said Iraqi SIB 1st Lt. Ghasan Ibrahim Ronaye, a platoon leader responsible for several guard posts. “Insha Allah, God willing, we will not be attacked. But if we are we will be trained and ready to act to defend our pipeline.” “This new teaching is different from our old army instructions, which was based upon an old British model,” added Ronaye. This is very different, so it will take us time to adapt and to learn this new way; but, this new way is better, more simple and easy to understand.” “I am hopeful for the future,” said Ronaye, “that we will get better at our jobs and that we will be able to protect our country’s oil and our people.”

[SandRat]

Gee!!!! The LOSER LEFT says that we're cattying the entire load. How can this be? < / MEGA SARC

[SandRat]

Iraqi's taking on more of the mission of protecting their own country.

[Marine_Uncle]

This is no small job as you can imagine. Interesting is we and they have been doing this for three years. It is not something that just started. They are just getting more resources to better police those hundreds of miles of pipelines,oil wells and refineries.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT