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| U.S. soldiers and Iraqi citizens share the common goal of peace. |
| By Spc. Mike Alberts
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HAWIJA, Iraq, Feb. 15, 2007 -- When they arrived six months ago they knew coalition success in their area of operation would hinge on integrating Iraq’s tribal culture. For centuries, tribal sheiks have influenced the social, economic and political landscape of the predominantly Arab southern portion of the Kirkuk Province.
So they began the arduous process of building relationships. Six months later, Wolfhound soldiers of the 25th Infantry Division’s 3rd Brigade Combat Team are achieving their goals of a more secure and peaceful region one city at a time. Soldiers of 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, hosted a mayoral luncheon welcoming civic and law enforcement leaders from surrounding communities to include the cities of Zaab, Multaka and Hawija to Forward Operating Base McHenry, located just outside of Hawija, Iraq, Jan. 28. According to Capt. Jeffrey Fuller, fire support officer, the event was organized for the unit to express its appreciation for the support of those cities that have worked with coalition forces to rebuild local communities. “We wanted to take the opportunity to say ‘thank you’ for the support,” said Fuller. “The (attendees today) are the individuals and city representatives that cooperate the most with us. They have seen the benefits of working with us and helping us, and now understand that by cooperating they have fewer problems in the short run and greater benefits in the long run,” he continued. For instance, Fuller explained that the cities of Zaab and Multaka have been the first to approach coalition forces with information of those responsible for setting improvised explosive devices in and around major supply routes. Hawija, although volatile at times, is also beginning to assist coalition forces in thwarting insurgent activity. “There will always be hotspots,” said Capt. Roland A. Keller, Jr., company commander, Delta Co. “But some cities are forcing change and peace. We want to reward those that are moving forward by showing them the attention that they deserve. Their efforts are appreciated and we respect what they’ve accomplished,” continued Keller. |
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| “People want peace they want their children to grow up in peace,” he said. “They want a future that they were being denied and these three cities saw the coalition as providing them a means for a future. These three cities have begun pulling themselves out of the quagmire of war and are building for themselves a future that does not include us.” The ultimate goal, of course, is a future with functioning governments and cities that can protect and police themselves explained Lt. Col. Drew Meyerowich, battalion commander. “The future of Iraq will include a central government that is willing to accept all Iraqi people as one Iraq regardless of their faith or ethnic background,” said Meyerowich. “The terrorists don’t want that, so we have spent a lot of time working with local communities and helping them understand who we are as a coalition but more importantly who we are as Wolfhounds, both ruthless and compassionate” he said. “I certainly can’t take the credit for our increased success,” said the battalion commander. “Our success is attributable to the day-to-day interactions of my soldiers. It’s the soldiers that (citizens) are seeing engaged not solely in combat operations. When (citizens) see my young soldiers taking care of their communities it makes building relationships easier and achieving success much more possible.” |
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