Publication:Chattanooga Times Free Press
Date:Saturday, March 19, 2005
Section:Front Page; Page:1

DISPATCH Iraq
‘The road to democracy’

By Edward Lee Pitts Military Affairs

CAMP CALDWELL, Iraq — Since the January elections here, Iraqis have cooperated better with U.S. forces and are more willing to provide information on the activities and identities of potential insurgents, unit commanders with the 278th Regimental Combat Team said.

"You can tell it’s starting to get into their heads that things are changing," said Capt. Mitch Murray, commander of 1 st Squadron’s Deacon Company that patrols the city of Mandila. "They are not as afraid. They are starting to see that new people are in charge, and they had a voice in that."

The commanders said the more-open Iraqi public might be because of the realization among the local residents that they can support U.S. forces without becoming a target of the insurgency.

Now the Tennessee-based National Guard unit, into its fourth month here, is shifting focus toward more training of Iraqi army and police personnel and letting them take more control over the security of their country.

Capt. Dale Bradley, who commands 1st Squadron’s Apache Troop, attributed the increased aid coming from the average Iraqis here to the voter turnout success of the Jan. 30 elections.

"They are on the road to democracy and are starting to be more optimistic about what’s going to happen," said Capt. Bradley, whose unit oversees Balad Ruz, Iraq.

Capt. Dan Smith said that, using intelligence gathered from a more friendly local populace, his 2nd Squadron’s H Company has caught eight people suspected of working against U.S.-led coalition forces since the elections.

"We are seeing a downturn, and we have gotten into their network of people," Capt. Smith said. "They are starting to get desperate and starting to make mistakes."

H Company, which pursues a suspect only after getting three confirmed tips, is seeing its informant list grow.

Deacon Company also used information from sources to catch a bomb maker in Jisr Naft and two others accused of smuggling weapons and people into Iraq, Capt. Murray said.

Capt. Matthew Smith, 3rd Squadron’s L Troop commander, said Americans back home get a skewed picture of Iraq that focuses too much on what happens in large cities such as Baghdad.

He said the still-violent activities occurring in cities with populations in the millions do not reflect the climate in parts of the country such as the 278 th’s sector along the Iranian border, where populations are smaller and resistance lighter.

Still, he said, dangers exist for American soldiers here. His unit has faced a number of roadside bombs recently while patrolling the towns of Jalula and As Sa’diyah.

"My area is still hot, and I have a combat zone I am dealing with," he said.

Capt. Dan Smith of H Company said the Sulayman Bak area his unit patrols has been the site of four roadside bombs explosions since the elections, although none caused serious injuries.

He said that right after the blasts occurred he had about 100 soldiers on the streets looking for the bomb makers or for people with information.

Some soldiers have begun calling the insurgents "squeezers" because the attackers usually disappear after squeezing a few rounds out of their weapons well before the bulk of the responding 278 th unit arrives, he said.

IRAQIS IN TRAINING

The increased stream of intelligence gathering will help the Iraqi security forces gain confidence and move toward taking charge of the area, 278 th commander Col. Dennis Adams said. Many Iraqi soldiers and police officers still wear masks to hide their identities while working, a habit 278th soldiers discourage and one they hope will fade once Iraqi security forces realize their towns are supportive.

Col. Adams said it would require one to two months of training and mentoring before the Iraqi security forces will be able to take the lead.

He said this partnership between the Americans and the Iraqis includes shifting the focus of the Iraqi military after soldiers served for decades under a dictatorship.

"What we have found is that the Iraqi army in the past was designed to control the people," Col. Adams said. "Now we are teaching them to protect the people."

Slightly less than a third of the more than 3,000 combat patrols conducted so far here have involved Iraqi security forces, Col. Adams said.

Capt. Matthew Smith said his unit has done numerous joint patrols with the Iraqis. One raid last month with more than 200 combined soldiers nabbed 15 suspected members of the insurgency, he said.

Capt. Jim Reed, of Cookeville, Tenn., said his I Troop of the 3rd Squadron is mentoring about 1,700 Iraqi border enforcement officers and more than 200 Iraqi army soldiers. On-the-job training around the city of Khanaqin ranges from weapon-firing tips to passport and customs operations at border crossings, he said. Capt. Chris Vineyard, commander of the 2nd Squadron’s E Troop, said his soldiers, working around the city of Tuz, have divided into two teams and conduct Iraqi army training four times a week.

The regiment will continue combat operations when necessary, especially those that involve keeping supply routes open so fuel and food can be transported safely, Col. Adams said.

Soldiers with the 278 th headed the majority of patrols and raids during their first three months here. But now they are working for the day when roles are reversed and Iraqis take charge.

"Instead of us going out and taking the lead, it will be us showing up at their (Iraqi security forces) headquarters and asking, ‘How can we help? What are we going to do?’ " Capt. Bradley said.

The 278 th commanders said the Iraqi soldiers and police officers will be ready.

"They already have been going out on their own patrols and taking care of things without us," Capt. Murray said. "If I didn’t trust their abilities, I wouldn’t send my guys out with them."

E-mail Lee Pitts at lpitts@timesfreepress.com

ON THE WEB: Photos by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Russell Lee Klika of the 278 th Regimental Combat Team are available on the Chattanooga Times Free Press Web site

Visit http://www.timesfree press.com /kp

U.S. Army Photo by Staff Sgt. Russell Lee Klika - Capt. Matthew Smith of the 278 th’s 3 rd Squadron, right, gives orders to Iraqi soldiers and 278 th guardsmen. The Iraqi army will be playing a larger role in establishing security in upcoming months.

U.S. Army Photo by Staff Sgt. Russell Lee Klika An Iraqi army soldier, his face covered to protect his identity, stands guard in northeastern Iraq.

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