HADITHA DAM, Iraq - An Azerbaijani Army soldier looks out one of the dam's observation posts here. The soldiers man this and many other posts around the base ensuring the area remains safe. Photo by: Courtesy of the Azerbaijani Army
More at source
Posted on 12/21/2005 3:36:47 PM PST by SandRat
HADITHA DAM, Iraq (Dec. 21, 2005) -- Iraq’s infrastructure is a constant target for terrorist attacks throughout the country. This is no different at the Haditha Dam, which is the power source for many cities in Iraq.
Keeping the massive dam and more than 1,000 Marines operating here safe for the past five months is 150 Azerbaijani Army soldiers.
Located on the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan is the host country of the guardian soldiers who left their country in July to spend six months supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They worked alongside the Marines with 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment and 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines since arriving.
“We have great cooperation between us and the Marine battalions,” said Azerbaijani Army Maj. Ramiz Eyubov, the company’s commanding officer. “We come together and make one barrier protecting the base.”
The main mission here is to ensure the dam and its surrounding areas are safe and secure. They maintain entry control points and other observation posts that look over the Euphrates River and Lake Qadisiyah, a man-made reservoir for the dam.
The soldiers are also responsible for searching every dam worker as they enter the compound. The workers require badges when they work and an escort when they must be in certain parts of the dam.
“The workers here must wear their badges at all times,” said Azerbaijani Army Capt. Rashad Garayev, the company’s executive officer. “They sign in when they come in the morning and sign out when they leave.”
The high security keeps the dam safe from explosive devices and other attacks by terrorists in the region. The Azerbaijanis’ constant professionalism supports the Marines as they operate outside the dam.
“With all the line companies forward, they help us out a lot,” commented Sgt. Brock A. Lewis, a Marine with 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines. “They help keep the dam secure so that way everyone can focus on their jobs opposed to having to worry about a thousand things at one time.”
Before arriving in western Iraq, the soldiers are taught everything from urban combat to how to deal with the Iraqi people and culture. They use a desert training area in their home country to teach the soldiers what it is like to operate in the conditions here.
The training doesn’t stop when they get to the dam though. Every month the Azerbaijanis participate in live fire ranges to keep their skills sharp and prevent complacency within the unit.
“Everyone, including the officers, goes out monthly to fire their weapons and the .50 caliber machine gun to stay sharp,” commented Garayev, a native of Baku, Azerbaijan.
The company of soldiers is almost done with their deployment and new Azerbaijani soldiers will replace them soon. According to Eyubov, their deployment is a great way for his troops to gain experience in the Global War on Terrorism.
“Our country has terrorist attacks sometimes,” said Eyubov. “The experience we have all gained here will be used when we go home to keep our country safe.”
More at source
Marines and Azerbaijani's
I remember during the early days of Iraqi Freedom there was concern that Saddam was going to blow the Haditha in an attempt to flood out Coalition forces in an attempt to stop or slow the advance on Baghdad.
Located on the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan is the host country of the guardian soldiers who left their country in July to spend six months supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They worked alongside the Marines with 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment and 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines since arriving.
Thanks for the ping!
BTTT
My sons unit is based out of the Haditha Dam. He only gets back there once a week or so to get mail and do laundry. Interesting to see reports about other countries supporting our operations.
Good news!
Thank you Azerbaijanis for your support and sacrifices.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.