CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq – The 4th Brigade, 1st Armored Division “Highlanders” hosted an Iraqi Special Forces Partnership conference on Contingency Operating Base Adder July 11.
Key leaders of the U.S. and ISF operating in the Dhi Qar, Maysan and Muthanna provinces met to discuss their partnership roles within the U.S. - Iraqi security agreement.
“We planned this conference with our ISF partners to ensure we are speaking on the same sheet of music so our operations are well-coordinated,” said Col. Peter Newell, commander, 4th Bde., 1st Armd. Div. “It’s important for Iraqi citizens to know we are here to advise and assist the ISF and all of our movements are planned with them.” Attendees included the 10th Iraqi Army Division commander, Provincial police chiefs, IA brigade commanders, Director of Border Enforcement, U.S. battalion commanders and Police and Military Training Team chiefs.
“The purpose of this meeting was to determine the movements and methods for U.S. forces and the provincial reconstruction team inside cities,” said Staff Maj. Gen. Habib Al-Husseini, commander, 10th IA Div. “Additionally, we will specify roles for ISF assigned to provide escorts and protection to those elements.”
Newell also emphasized the need to inform the public about what U.S. forces are accomplishing to improve Iraq’s economy and governance capacity.
“Many Iraqi people erroneously believed that after June 30 they would not see any more Americans inside Iraqi cities,” said Staff Maj. Gen. Sabah Al-Fatlawi, Dhi Qar Province chief of police. “The U.S. Soldiers will continue to advise and provide training to Iraq Security Forces in the city. Also, the provincial reconstruction teams have ongoing service projects inside the cities that require their presence for implementation.”
“The productive relationship between Soldiers and leadership in the Highlander Brigade has directly contributed to the ability of a diverse group of leaders to focus their considered judgment on developing effective solutions for implementation of the security agreement,” said Lt. Col. James Gallivan, commander, 1st Battalion, 77th Armd. Regiment “Steel Tigers”. Overall, the U.S. leadership and the Iraqi leadership were able to put a number of concerns into a better perspective through discussions and a detailed review of the security agreement.
“Our ISF partners, based on the event, now understand the importance of communicating our partnership with local citizens,” said Varney. “It was an extremely productive session because we were able to articulate our partnership responsibilities.”
