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BAGHDAD, March 16, 2010 – Iraqi security forces arrested nine terrorism suspects during two combined operations yesterday in northern Iraq. Both security operations were conducted pursuant to warrants issued by Iraqi judges, officials said. In western Mosul, Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors captured a suspected al-Qaida in Iraq leader believed to have played a key role in acquiring vehicles and weapons used to carry out assassinations. Six of his associates also were arrested. In southern Kirkuk, an Iraqi emergency services unit and U.S. advisors captured a suspected mid-level al-Qaida in Iraq leader for Kirkuk and Diyala provinces. He is believed...

Iraqi Soldiers with the 49th Iraqi Army Brigade, 12th IA Division, attend a literacy class at the 49th IA Bde.'s compound in Kirkuk province, Dec. 3. Photo by Staff Sgt. Jason Douglas, 1st Cavalry Division. KIRKUK — In an effort to ensure the success of its Soldiers in military educational courses, one Iraqi Army division here has instituted classes to instruct Soldiers on Arabic reading and writing. Working closely with the 49th Iraqi Army Brigade, 12th IA Division, are U.S. Soldiers with a Military Transition Team, who observe and provide logistical support for the classes.Maj. Tim Rustad, a Mankato, Minn.,...

A Route Clearance Team with the 77th Armored Regiment inspects a Maysan province road for threats while on patrol, recently. The 30-foot remote controlled arm of the Buffalo Mine Resistant Clearance Vehicle provides increased safety to operators inside. Photo by 2nd Lt. Juan Torres Jr., 4th Brigade Combat Team. FOB HUNTER — Combat engineers with Task Force Saber recently performed their final route clearance mission in Maysan, then headed to Basrah to do the same. "It is our job to focus on the road and make sure it's safe for travel," said Pfc. Jeffrey Bernier, a combat engineer from Lebanon,...

BAGHDAD, Dec. 23, 2008 – Deployed National Guard soldiers often find themselves doing a job outside of their military occupational specialty. Army Capt. Jaime Hernandez takes a picture of a Baghdad project Dec. 17, 2008, to track its progress. Hernandez, an armor officer, serves as a project engineer for a general contracting firm in his civilian job. While deployed, he uses many of his civilian skills to be successful in his brigade’s engineer section. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Jason Kendrick  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Army Capt. Jaime Hernandez, who serves in Multinational Division Baghdad with...

WASHINGTON — After three months commanding Multi-National Division - Southeast in Iraq, British Marine Maj. Gen. Andy Salmon said he’s struck by progress since the Iraqi Army’s “Charge of the Knights” operation this spring and the way Iraqi security forces have stepped up since securing Basra. Speaking to Pentagon reporters via teleconference, Salmon cited low levels of violence, on par with crime and murder rates in Manchester, England, and lower on a per-capita basis than in Washington. “Overall, there seems to be a spirit of reconciliation and peace in the air here in Basra,” he said. “That’s really constant.” People...