Psyops Teams Combat Baghdad Rumors

Defend America ^ | Spc. Christopher Stanis / 1st Armored Division

[Spruce]

Psyops Teams Combat Baghdad Rumors
By Spc. Christopher Stanis / 1st Armored Division
BAGHDAD, Iraq - In a city that has a reputation of running on widespread rumors, the opinions of Baghdad's residents might be easily swayed because of misinformation. The 1st Armored Division's tactical psychological operations teams throughout the city combat false rumors daily to subdue fears and paranoia citizens may have about the coalition. "If there is somebody spreading rumors against (the United States), we're not going to go out and call them liars; that would just lend them more credibility," said Cpl. Philip Chun, Tactical Psychological Operations Detachment 1230. "Instead, we just put out the truth." The teams from the 315th Tactical PSYOP Company spend a lot of time in the community disseminating information through Baghdad Now, the PSYOP-created newspaper designed to provide citizens with positive news on the coalition's work in Iraq. They also distribute posters and handbills and broadcast loudspeaker messages with important information such as staying away from unexploded ordnance or joining the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps. While out in the city, these PSYOP teams also listen to the concerns of residents. "We're not (intelligence) gatherers," said Cpt. Aaron Davis, TPD 1230 officer in charge, "but if somebody comes up to us with a problem, we won't turn them away." Davis said they collect as much information as they can about a situation - whether it is a robbery, a need for medical care, or information leading to the arrest of Fedayeen members - and pass it on to the proper authorities. The willingness of Iraqis to approach and work with coalition forces to provide information reflects how tension has diminished since the 315th TPC's arrival in Baghdad May 1.	"In a lot of ways you can tell Iraqis are more acceptant of us is because (PSYOP) posters used to stay up an average of three days then they would get torn down," Chun said. "Now we still see posters still hanging after three weeks." Davis said, considering the population of Baghdad, only a small number of people hate the coalition enough to bring harm to the forces. "There are five million people in Baghdad. I believe 99.96 percent of them are happy with us here," Davis said. Life is better.'" "Eventually that small percentage (who are against the coalition) will be drowned by people saying, 'Shut up. Davis also attributed much of the remaining resistance to Iraqis on the lower end of the social ladder. "The middle-class people and the educated people (in Baghdad) realize that (the rebuilding process) is going to take time," he continued. "It is the poor guy who had nothing before the war, has nothing now and looks into the future and sees nothing, who is taking advantage that we're not as aggressive as Saddam." Davis said over time Iraq could become a great example for peace in the Middle East. "Iraq could be a shining light among Islamic countries," he said. "In the future it could be a good friend of the United States."

[mewzilla]

We need a decent TV station up and running there, something that the Iraqis will actually want to tune in to. It would certainly be big help in dealing with stuff like this.

[Coop]

Thanks for posting this nice story.

[ex-Texan]

*BUMP* !

[boxerblues]

They have a tough job convincing the Iraqi's after all we have fans in the uniforms and x-ray glass's lol... keep up the good work guys we're proud of you

[cake_crumb]

Gee, I thought the US was in a Vietnam-like Quagmire now that that the sactitity of those psions of sanctimonious behavior, the UN was attacked by or with the help of the UN's own Ba'athist guards.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Thanks for the post and the ping. I was sure we'd have a few chastened reporters apologizing to the troops today and admitting that the troops are doing a great job after yesterday's positive press briefing.

The press lives in bizarro world. I'm very glad that we (and our troops!) don't.

If you want on or off my pro-Coalition/anti-wanker ping list, just ping.

8 Unapologetically Pro-Coalition News Links and Articles

[Centurion2000]

They should start the new rumor ..... the Marines are getting in a new shipment of ammunition using pork blood as bullet lube or as a stabilizing agent in the guncotton propellent loads on the bullet.

[MEG33]

Bump for truth!

[facedown]

"In a lot of ways you can tell Iraqis are more acceptant of us is because (PSYOP) posters used to stay up an average of three days then they would get torn down," Chun said. "Now we still see posters still hanging after three weeks."

This seems like a small thing but it's actually pretty significant.

[IncPen]

There's a reporter named Gary Marx who writes for the Chicago Tribune. Everything published under his byline is doom and gloom anti-American drivel.

This post will remind me to Google him soon and start tracking his stuff.

[livius]

"Iraq could be a shining light among Islamic countries," he said.

That's what we're gambling on! It's sort of a last ditch chance, but at least GWB was brave enough to do it. The alternative is certainly not something we want to contemplate.

Good article and very encouraging, thanks for posting.

[BOBTHENAILER]

"Now we still see posters still hanging after three weeks."

Pretty soon, they'll be up for a couple months.

The only people against us are the Baathists, Fedayeen, Mukhabarat and remaining Republican Guard elite. Oh yeah, and the french, democRATs and assorted other lowlife's.

[glaux]

Why PsyOPS? Because physical wounds heal...

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Ping! The Iraqi people know who to trust.

More Americans need to hear from our troops, like from this Marine:

The "Arab Street" I've meet in Iraq loves--that's not too strong of a word--America and is deeply grateful for our presence. Far from resenting the American military, most Iraqis seem to fear that we will leave too soon and that in our absence the Baath Party tyranny will resume. This sentiment is readily apparent whenever we venture into the city. We don't make it far outside of our camp before throngs of happy, smiling children greet us.

"Good, good!" they yell, as they run into the street, often oblivious to oncoming traffic. They give us a hearty thumbs-up and vigorously wave and pump their hands. They are eager to see us and to talk with us. To them, it is clear, we are heroes who liberated them from Saddam Hussein.

"Bush good, Saddam bad!" many Iraqis tell us emphatically--and repeatedly. I'm not sure how George W. Bush is faring with the American public, but he's got a lock on Al Hillah.

The Iraqis know who their foes are too. Two Iraqi children once spontaneously shouted to me, "France, Chirac!" while giving the thumbs-down sign and shaking their heads disapprovingly. The children quickly smiled and shouted "Bush!" while punching the sky.

"We are very glad that you are here and we hope you never leave," Zaid, a 31-year-old mechanical engineer, told me. "If you leave, then there will be more trouble. The Bath Party thugs will take over."   ~ 'Bush Good, Saddam Bad!'

[windchime]

Bump.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Thanks for the bumps, windchime. (^:

[McGavin999]

This is great stuff to read. I was rather surprised this morning when Rep. Ford (d) was on Fox & Friends. He had just come back from Iraq and he said the military was really doing a good job and you can't believe the things our media is saying because it's really all wrong!

[PhilDragoo]

Eventually that small percentage (who are against the coalition) will be drowned by people saying, 'Shut up'.

Col. Sam Holloway, Division Support Commander for the 101st Airborne Division, and Talal Al-Khalidi, a town councilman, cut a ribbon inaugurating the new athletic stadium in Mosul, Iraq, July 23, 2003. (DoD photo by Sgt. Curtis Hargrave, U.S. Army) (Released)

[TEXOKIE]

bump for later