| FORWARD OPERATING BASE DUKE, Iraq, May 19, 2006 — The Imam Ali Police Academy in Najaf hosted a graduation ceremony May 18, inducting more than 280 new policemen into its ranks. Following the ceremony, the unit also sponsored a blood drive, receiving the needed blood from the new recruits. U.S. Army Lt. Col Michael Hilliard, the commander of 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, and his soldiers were on hand to witness the occasion and provide assistance for their brothers-in-arms. The event was co-hosted by Assad Sultaan Abu Gelal, the governor of Najaf, along with Iraqi Maj. Gen. Kareem Hussain Abbas, the Najaf chief of police. Several demonstrations took place during the ceremony, including drill and ceremony and hand-to-hand combat techniques. After the demonstration portion of the ceremony, Abbas outlined the achievements made by local police and security forces and acknowledged areas where improvements were still in progress. He thanked the citizens of Najaf for their cooperation and support and also thanked Hilliard, who reinforced the continued support of his unit located at Forward Operating Base Duke. In a private conversation after the ceremony, Assad and Hilliard discussed many issues, including a shortage of O-positive blood.
Recently, supplies of this all-important blood type have been shrinking to critical levels, said Assad. “If a rash of violence similar to the one that gripped areas closer to Baghdad were |
