CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq - Key members of the U.S. House of Representatives Armed Services and Veterans Affairs committees visited Soldiers of the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division "Highlander" in Iraq Aug. 9.
U.S. Reps. Patrick Murphy, Joe Wilson, Gus Bilirakis and Ben Ray Lujan were briefed on the brigade's "advise and assist" mission, toured an Iraqi civilian training facility and met with Iraqi Security Force leaders at the 10th Iraqi Army Division's operations center.
The delegation received a briefing at Highlander brigade headquarters to gain an understanding of the advise and assist mission. Staff presented an overview of the specialized training and reorganization of the brigade to support civil capacity development for Iraq and advising Iraqi Security Forces. The delegation also had the opportunity to meet nearly 100 Soldier constituents from their congressional districts. "It's great to be here ...I'm the father of a veteran who's served in Tallil," said Wilson, who served 30 years in the Army Reserve and S.C. National Guard. 1st Lt. Christina McMillen, 121st Brigade Support Battalion logistics officer, from Edgewood, N.M. was excited about meeting Lujan.
"Congressman Lujan's visit is an excellent opportunity for a local leader to see firsthand the significant progress made as we partner with the Iraqi Army," said McMillen. "He will be able to bring this experience back and express to the folks at home, who typically only see the bad news, that what we're doing here really is important." The next stop on the visit was the Southern Region Training Complex, a facility used by Iraqis with classrooms, medical facilities and laboratories. A cost-sharing project funded by the Commander's Emergency Response Fund, Government of Italy and Iraq Army. Adjacent to the base and located near Nasiriyah, the secure compound is utilized by academic, agriculture and government officials for meetings and seminars. Dr. Anna Prouse, Dhi Qar Provincial Reconstruction Team leader and Lt. Col. Mike Eastman, deputy brigade commander for civil capacity led the delegation on a tour including visits with Iraqi Army Soldiers in a basic literacy course and Iraqi law students attending a seminar with U.S. attorneys from Baghdad.
"We've hosted a variety of events including archeology courses for Ziggurat preservation, entrepreneur workshops, reconstructive surgery for children with cleft lips and milk processing classes since opening in March 2007," said Prouse. "This facility is a great resource for Iraqis." The delegation met with leaders from the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division and Iraqi Security Forces at the 10th Iraqi Army Combined Division Operations Center at Camp Dhi Qar, an Iraqi base. The CDOC is staffed by members of the U.S. brigade and Iraqi Army who synchronize military operations and share intelligence. Leaders briefed the congressional delegation on how the "advise and assist" mission improves collaboration in accordance with the Security Agreement. "I couldn't be more proud of the outstanding Soldiers accomplishing this mission," said Murphy. "This brigade is successful because of your strong partnership with the Iraqi Security Forces."
