Posted on 04/27/2007 6:03:28 PM PDT by SandRat
An Iraqi boy tugs on Sgt. Pietrzyk Bjoerm's stethoscope as the healthcare specialist with the 5th Battalion, 6th Iraqi Army Division Military Transition Team, conducts a medical screening of the child during a medical operation in the Iraqi capital's Ghazaliyah neighborhood March 25. U.S. Army photo.
BAGHDAD — Coalition leaders noticed security improvements in southern Ghazaliyah Monday since Joint Security Station Thrasher was erected March 14.
Approximately 40 days after JSS Thrasher was constructed, Iraqi and Coalition security forces have maintained a continuous presence in Ghazaliyah to prevent militia activity from re-emerging.
Southern Ghadaliyah was previously known for frequent casualties of violence and improvised explosive devices, said U. S. Army Capt. Darren Fowler, commander of D Company, 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division.
“Since we established the JSS, it has allowed us to dominate the battle space,” he added.
As part of Fardh Al-Qanoon, JSSs are a relatively new concept in counter-insurgency strategy designed to build relationships with the community, protect the population from a short distance, and prevent insurgency activity by presence.
“It has allowed us to gain control and now we are in the control phase in southern Ghazaliyah where we can focus more on essential services and restoring civil projects to the communities,” Fowler said.
With an established outpost in the neighborhood; the local populace began to get comfortable with JSS Thrasher as Iraqi and Coalition leaders began to build relationships with Iraq citizens in the area.
“They started coming here and started saying, ‘Hey, this is my problem. Can you help me with that?’ and we actually go out and help them,” said Fowler. “Now they are not so afraid to come here.”
Shortly after, information started to filter in through the tip line, a 24-hour hotline that Iraqi residents can call to expose insurgent activity and prevent harmful acts in their neighborhood.
Not only has JSS Thrasher seen improvement in the security of southern Ghazaliya, it has also seen Iraqi security forces being slowly pushed into the lead on planning and executing missions with Coalition forces.
“[We’re] letting them do more for their own community, which puts faces on all the projects instead of the American faces,” he said.
As the Ghazaliyah citizens gained confidence in the security forces operating out of JSS Thrasher, local sheiks and elder community leaders spoke with Fowler and Iraqi Lt. Col. Jabar, commander of 3rd Bn., 4th Brig., 10th Iraqi Army Div.
“The first thing out of their mouths was, ‘We feel secure, finally. Thank you. Now that we have security, this is what we want to see happen,’” said Fowler.
The two commanders took notes and began prioritizing the population’s list of needs as far as civil actions, water, electricity, sewage, hospital and academics.
As Fardh Al-Qanoon enters its third month, security is expected to help provide an opportunity for the Iraqi government to begin reconstructing vital utilities and shortly after, return everyday life to normal.
(U.S. Army Story by Spc. Jeffrey Ledesma, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs)
In other developments throughout Iraq:
FR WAR NEWS!Good news, thanks! Ghazaliyah was my son’s last sector before he came home. Great to hear good things are happening there.
Good news!
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