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Iraqi Army 2nd Brigade, 11th Division members display the flag of Iraq during the graduation ceremony from Besmaya Range Complex, Jan. 2. The unit is the second brigade to participate in Unit Set Fielding, a training process that couples Iraqi officers and Soldiers with equipment and training. Photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Erica R. Gardner. BESMAYA — A graduation ceremony filled with music, marching and speeches marked a tremendous step for all of Iraq, when the Iraqi Army’s 2nd Brigade, 11th Division graduated here, Jan. 2. The brigade is fully equipped and trained to battle the enemies...

SOLDIERS DISCOVER WEAPONS CACHE CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, AR RAMADI, Iraq – For the third time in as many weeks, Soldiers from 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Marine Division discovered a significant weapons cache in Ramadi, Al Anbar’s provincial capital. The unit was conducting a cordon and search operation, which began early morning on Oct. 9, in order to uncover suspected weapons caches at several garages and vacant buildings. Six suspected terrorists were detained. The find included Soviet-made rockets and surface to air missiles, more than one hundred 120 mm mortar rounds, dozens of 81 mm and 60 mm mortar rounds,...

The top family readiness programs in the reserve component for 2003 were honored today during the Defense Department's fourth annual awards ceremony in the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes. Master of ceremonies Marine Lt. Col. Ian Ferguson, of DoD's reserve affairs office, emphasized that family readiness is a key component of mission readiness. "Robust family readiness programs have greatly enhanced the deployablity of the Guard and Reserve," he noted. "One need only look at the last few years to recognize the critical role the reserve components play in supporting our nation. Improved family readiness programs and command emphasis have enabled Guard...

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Soldiers of Task Force 1st Armored Division’s 2nd Brigade, 82nd Airborne captured 28 fuel trucks and nine propane trucks illegally dispensing fuel as part of black market activity in a south Baghdad neighborhood at about 10 p.m. Dec. 18. Soldiers also detained 20 black marketers. The arrests were part of Operation IRON JUSTICE. The operation is intended to combat corruption both to improve quality of life for the Iraqi populace and to deny former regime elements illegal sources of income.