Posted on 04/21/2010 6:42:54 PM PDT by SandRat
BAGHDAD – A U.S. Army company commander here is working to increase security and build stronger ties between various Iraqi divisions so they may better combat insurgents across Anbar and Baghdad.
Capt. Guy Girouard, commander of Company C, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, devised a plan encouraging Iraqi divisions to communicate better and fight the insurgency along the Anbar-Baghdad border as one force.
The 1st Iraqi Army Division leads the security effort in eastern Anbar province while the bordering area of western Baghdad province falls under the 6th IA Div. With the help of Girouard, the Iraqi commanders are realizing the need for both divisions to work together.
“Every division has their own sectors, so there [are] some gaps between there, and we’re trying to close them right now,” said Maj. Khudair Juaid Abood, 1st IA Div.
The ultimate goal is to create a bond from the division commanders all the way down to the company level, said Girouard. Then the company commanders can work out border issues on the ground and start sharing intelligence, resources and conducting joint patrols.
Abood stressed they are trying to initiate new patrols between the two divisions at the company level, but the most important thing is the exchange of information between them.
“I’m looking forward to doing a lot of things together,” said Abood. “We are holding a lot of meetings and we hope in the future things will come together.”
“I have high hopes, and I don’t think those high hopes are unwarranted,” said Girouard.
Progress may take a while to be clearly seen; however, Girouard said that within a few weeks, cohesion between the IA divisions should be moving along smoothly.
“1st IA Div. and 6th IA Div. commanders know the issues, and it’s going to take time, but they’re both motivated,” said Girouard. “It’s going to happen.
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