CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE BASRA, Iraq – Multi-National Division South Commander Maj. Gen. Richard C. Nash spoke with members of the Pentagon Press Corps Aug. 6 from Contingency Operating Base Basra using a satellite video teleconference link.
Nash painted a general picture of what his area of operation looks like for the press corps.
“Our mission here in Iraq is to build civil capacity and transition security to the Iraqi Security Forces,” said Nash. “We do this through partnerships with three subordinate brigades and their Iraqi Security Force counterparts.”
The questions from the reporters focused on the specifics of the region, and even tapped into the relations between the Iraqi Security Forces and the U.S. Forces. While Maj. Gen. Nash acknowledged the differences and the challenges therein, he also highlighted the ability of both the Iraqi Security Forces and the U.S. Forces to focus on the bigger picture.
“I am confident that through the partnership that we have developed between the U.S. and Iraq, we will continue to work through our issues that may arise,” said Nash. “We share the same goal of safety and security for all Iraqi people.”
To that point, Nash also commented on the general feeling from the Iraqi People.
This is the first time the general has spoken to the Pentagon Press Corps on behalf of Multi-National Division South Forces.
