Equipment to Fallujah Brigade

1st FSSG, USMC | 040502 | PAO

[gandalftb]

HEADLINE: 1st FSSG puts equipment on fast track to Fallujah Brigade

1st FSSG Public Affairs Public Affairs Office, 1st Force Service Support Group

Released: May 2, 2004

CAMP TAQADDUM, Iraq - Supporting efforts to quickly employ Iraqis in helping coalition forces stabilize Fallujah, Marines of the 1st Force Service Support Group sped weapons and gear to the city to outfit a newly created Iraqi army battalion May 1, 2004.

The1st Battalion of the Fallujah Brigade is being established in hopes that it will be a concrete step toward a peaceful resolution in the volatile city. When it has been fully manned, the battalion will be comprised of up to 1,100 Iraqi army volunteers recruited by their former commanders.

The formation of the battalion, which will function under the direct command of I MEF, continues the process of transferring responsibility for security and stability of Iraq to the Iraqi people, said Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt, deputy director for coalition operations.

The unit assumed control of four checkpoints April 30 and has started patrolling Fallujah, he said.

Yet, until the Iraqi battalion demonstrates a capacity to effectively man designated checkpoints and positions, Marines will continue to maintain a strong presence in and around Fallujah, said Kimmitt during a press briefing April 30.

"We have assigned the Iraqi battalion to our least-engaged sector until they can get their feet on deck, absorb the weapons and equipment we are passing their way and prepare for the next phase of the operation," said Lt. Gen. James T. Conway, the I Marine Expeditionary Force commander.

"It's important for us to get them the support that they need so they can take the job over," said 1st Lt. Christopher B. Mays, a 28-year-old native of Sunderland, Md.

Mays is in charge of incoming air shipments for Combat Service Support Group 15, part of the 1st FSSG, which took the lead in moving these supplies to the Iraqi battalion.

Motivated by a desire to get the Iraqis supplied as soon as possible, the Marines reduced their usual turnaround time, said CSSG-15's operations officer, Maj. Raphael Hernandez, a 35-year-old native of El Paso, Texas.

As soon as the fully loaded helicopters hit the ground here, they were met by trucks from pre-staged convoys, which were immediately loaded and sent rolling to marry up with the battalion.

The supplies came in two waves, one containing 13 boxes of AK-47s, which left for Fallujah early in the morning, and another made up of 20 crates of uniforms, boots and miscellaneous combat gear, which left later in the evening.

These initial shipments are only expected to satisfy the battalion's initial needs.

For now, the Iraqis are asking for very little, Conway said, even turning down flak jackets and opting for berets over helmets. Some of the soldiers already have their own uniforms, but Marines have shipped them the same garb as the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps wears.

In terms of hardware, the battalion is in need of radios and trucks, which has I MEF burning the midnight oil trying to acquire, the general said.

"Those are just not as readily available as we would like, although there were negotiations well into last night to try to bring some over from locations east of here," he said May 1.

As the I MEF makes the battalion's needs known, the 1st FSSG will continue to support the Iraqi troops as they do the rest of the Marines.

"I think it's important for the civilians to see their own Iraqis trying to help them. The better we can equip them ... the more they can help themselves," said Mays.

[gandalftb]

The Marines remain fully engaged in the NE & NW corners of Fallujah. They think General Salih is full of b.s. and does not have much to offer in terms of a staff of officers or, a tactical or strategic understanding of Fallujah. He is claiming there are no foreign rebels, never have been... I don't think he's going to be seeing too many paychecks. The brigade has it's own Marine trained leadership anyway. Some of Salih's "volunteers" are suspected of being some of the defectors I posted about earlier and our translators have noticed Syrian accents when they speak to each other. The Marines have a weather eye out.

[Nam Vet]

Interesting. How did you hear about the Syrian accents, etc ? Also, are any Peshmerga in the brigade or are they in their own with the Marines?

Nam Vet

[gandalftb]

Officially, there are no PUK peshmerga there. The PUK denies it every time they get asked. There are very few Kurds there, less than 20. They would be very valuable as translators and would be very qualified to pick out foreign accents. They absolutely hate the Syrians.

[Antoninus]

Good article bump.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

CAMP TAQADDUM, Iraq - Supporting efforts to quickly employ Iraqis in helping coalition forces stabilize Fallujah, Marines of the 1st Force Service Support Group sped weapons and gear to the city to outfit a newly created Iraqi army battalion May 1, 2004.

"We have assigned the Iraqi battalion to our least-engaged sector until they can get their feet on deck, absorb the weapons and equipment we are passing their way and prepare for the next phase of the operation," said Lt. Gen. James T. Conway, the I Marine Expeditionary Force commander.

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          Ping for the 1st FSSG (and gandalftb's comments).

[MEG33]

I just heard that no decision has been made as to who will lead the new Iraqi brigade.Seems the announcement was premature.Good information!

[Cannoneer No. 4]

Peshmerga would make good Nungs

[Cannoneer No. 4]

My first-born's higher headquarters.

[MEG33]

I thank him for his service!

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Good job, dad.

Please thank your young ones for following in their father's footsteps. (need a new keyboard character for a pat on the back *g*)

[Alamo-Girl]

Bump!

[blackie]

Working with the Iraqi's ~ Bump!

We are winning ~ the bad guys are losing ~ trolls, terrorists, democrats and the mainstream media are sad ~ very sad!

~~ Bush/Cheney 2004 ~~