BASRA - During the morning of April 21, Iraqi Soldiers along with 504 PIR, 82nd Abn Div Soldiers participated in a joint humanitarian aid mission in the Tannumah district of Basrah.
Various school supplies, ranging from backpacks, notebooks and soccer balls were handed out by the Iraqi soldiers, while 504 PIR helped with security in the area.
SSG Brent Kwiatkowski said, "The people of Tannumah respect the IA and are grateful for all they have done." Col. Abas, cmdr. of the 1st IA Inf Bn, has helped bring electric power back to the district along with running water and is currently working a plan to clean the streets. Kwiatkowski also stated, "Providing security for the people is the first step in the right direction. Col. Abas has gone beyond that, and the people have responded by increasingly helping the IA with their efforts by providing info about criminals and caches."
Col. Abas stated, in a meeting after the event, "Providing these children with much needed supplies helps us further our connection with the local people. For helping these 1,500 children, news will spread to 1,500 fathers and mothers." COL Abas, with the help of 4th Plt, is planning more school supply handouts and a possible MEDCAP.

MND-B Soldiers kill 10 criminals in separate operations
BAGHDAD - Soldiers from 4th BCT, 10th Mtn Div, and IA soldiers were attacked by 6 mortars at approx. 6 p.m., April 24 at their JSS in northeastern Baghdad. Soldiers located a 3-man mortar team and engaged the criminals, killing all 3. No Soldiers were injured.
At approx. 10:10 p.m., an AWT spotted criminals digging by a road in northeastern Baghdad. The AWT engaged the criminals with a hellfire missile, killing 2.
At approx. 1 a.m., April 25, an AWT spotted 4 criminals emplacing an IED in northeastern Baghdad, and engaged the criminals with a hellfire missile, killing all 4 and destroying the IED.
An AWT witnessed 2 criminals setting up a firing position in northeastern Baghdad at approx. 1:30 a.m., and engaged with a hellfire missile and killed one criminal. The other criminal fled to a nearby building. The AWT could not engage the second criminal due because of innocent civilians in the area adjacent to the building.
New academy helps Diyala IPs meet training requirements
By Spc. Kirby Rider, 4th Stryker BCT, 2nd ID
BAQUBAH - As the situation in Diyala continues to improve, the mission is changing from clearing the province of AQI, to ensuring it remains secure and free of terrorist elements.
The improved security has allowed the IP to focus on other issues. One of the larger issues the force is addressing is the training of newly-hired policemen who have not received the training required by the Ministry of Interior. The solution is a temporary academy that recently opened on FOB Grizzly, near Ashraf. CF and Iraqi SF are working to build a permanent academy in the town of Muradiyah.
"Right now, Diyala has about 17,000 IP and only a third of those have received training," said Maj. Thomas Rider, provost marshal for 4th Stryker BCT, 2nd ID, from Fort Lewis, Wash., the unit responsible for Diyala province. "In large part it is because Diyala did not have its own training academy."
The academy started its first class April 14, and there are currently more than 400 new policemen enrolled. Twenty police officers from Diyala province and U.S. government contractors with extensive experience in law enforcement are conducting the training.
"The training that I have received (at the academy) will really help me and my platoon when we graduate and go back to our districts," said Mohammad, Diyala Emergency Bde policeman, through an interpreter. "When I go back, I am going to teach these lessons to others, so they know what to expect when they get here." Students at the academy live in tents, like the ones U.S. Soldiers use on their FOBs, and eat three hot meals a day. Since the weather has warmed up, the day's classes are taught under shade canopies to prevent the students from getting dehydrated. "When I came to the academy, I didn't know what to expect," Mohammad said. "The conditions here are a lot nicer than what I thought they would be."
Students and instructors spoke of the work needed to make the academy better, and what will be needed of the police force once CF leave the country.
Iraqi children help clean the streets
BASRA - The IA Sgt Major of 2nd Bn, motivated the children of the Hyyaniyah district in Basra, to pick up trash from their streets, April 20. He gave the children ice-cream as an incentive. The IA also provided soccer balls and helped make a park for the neighborhood.
Additionally, the sgt major delivered a speech to the children about being responsible for keeping one's streets clean.
