Posted on 05/06/2008 4:15:41 PM PDT by SandRat
CAMP STRIKER — Iraqi Army, Coalition, tribal and Government of Iraq leaders met at the IA Compound in Mahmudiyah May 1 to discuss the progress of Operation Marne Piledriver.
Marne Piledriver, a capacity-building operation, kicked-off April 15 with an air assault and dismounted patrols throughout the Mahmudiyah Qada, aimed at disbanding any remaining al-Qaeda threat in the area.
“We want to build trust within Mahmudiyah and make sure the terrorist threat is gone for good,” said Sheikh Abu Amar, Mahmudiyah Qada Council chairman. “In gaining trust, however, we expect people to come to the government when they have issues or project ideas.”
Since the start of Piledriver, a series of projects have begun to improve the stability of local governance and economics throughout the qada.
Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch, Multi-National Division – Center commanding general, pointed out that Mahmudiyah was experiencing violence every day only 14 months ago. “All of that has changed now because of the implementation of security measures,” Lynch said.
In conjunction with Marne Piledriver, the Rakkasans of 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) have assisted in the construction and refurbishment of schools, medical and water treatment facilities, new IA battle positions, patrol bases and various Sons of Iraq checkpoints throughout the qada.
Also, a 9-kilometer pipeline is being run to pump fresh water through the area.
In recent weeks, Operation Marne Piledriver has generated enough energy, resources and money for water treatment facilities that by August, 85 percent of the entire qada will be able to receive clean water, said Col. Dominic Caraccilo, commander of 3rd BCT, 101st Abn. Div. (AASLT).
In other improvements: One of two new radio stations is now up and running. The one in Mahmudiyah aired its first broadcast April 27 and the Yusifiyah station will become operational by May 11. Caraccilo said the stations will broadcast information on health, agriculture and voting information to the populace.
Revitalization of the fish and poultry industries is also under way, with hopes of boosting the economy by providing more jobs to the local populace.
“The ability to be able to offer all of these projects begins with security,” said Brig. Gen. Ali Jassim Muhammad Hassen al-Frejee, 25th Brigade, 6th IA Division commander. He said the improved security has allowed the Coalition, IA, Iraqi Police and GoI to work together in creating a better Iraq.
“Without security we cannot do anything, and we know that,” Caraccio said, echoing al-Frejee’s statements.
“Leadership is the key to the success in this area,” Lynch said, who attributes the success in Mahmudiyah to three things: the great Rakkasans’ leadership at battalion and brigade levels, the strength of the Mahmudiyah Qada’s IA and IP forces and tribal leaders from the area willing to meet the requirements set before them.
“Seeing the country I call home move forward brings great pride,” al-Frejee said. “Everyone must realize it is not being a son of Mahmudiyah, it’s being a son of Iraq and it’s amazing how much progress has been made over the past months.”
Orange juice and vodka - Screwdriver
Milk of magnesia and vodka - Philips Screwdriver
Prune juice and vodka - Piledriver
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The 3rd Infantry Division was activated at Camp Greene, North Carolina, in November 1917. Eight months later, at midnight on July 14, 1918 the Division went into combat for the first time. During World War I, as a member of the American Expeditionary Force to Europe the Division earned its name as the "Rock of the Marne," when surrounding units retreated, the 3rd Infantry Division remained. Although the stand was quite successful, the unit suffered many casualties.
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