troopscoop’s posterous

"We're trying to defeat the enemy with unconventional means," said 1st Lt. Patrick Nevins, a plt cmdr with Echo Co. "We don't have to revert to our organic weapons in a COIN [counter insurgency] fight." The Marines understand that to win this conflict, the population must support them, according to Nevins.  By working together with the civilians, the Marines have improved security in a highly volatile area with aid from the U.S. Army and ANA.

Speaking with village elders before moving through their villages has produced positive results in this region, giving Nevins and his Marines a communication advantage over the enemy. "I let them know that I'm here for them," Nevins said. "If there's anything they need, then they can come talk to me. We're just working on building relationships and mutual trust."

Nevins says geography plays a major role in counter insurgency ops throughout Helmand prov. Villagers close to ISAF installations depend on the security these compounds offer and the communication they provide, whereas populations living farther away from coalition positions are not able to see what CF are doing for them.

As MEB-A continues ops in southern Helmand prov., more and more smiles greet Marines as they patrol through villages and surrounding areas.  More often Nevins sees his Marines treated as friends by communities that once met them with suspicion. "They welcomed us with open arms," said Sgt. Anthony Matthews, a squad leader with Echo Co, when his squad made their way for Lakari village, for just the 2nd time since moving into the area. "Even though we didn't give out stuff last time, they were all over us."

Often Marines, weighted down with flaks, helmets and weapons, also carry brightly-colored stuffed animals and candy as the walk the village streets. "They love us," Matthews said. "When we start getting a bigger presence, they'll recognize that we're here for them."

The patrols have also started to expose a shift in public opinion toward the Taliban and a new willingness by the Afghans to voice this shift. "They hate them just like we hate them," Matthews said. "It seems like they learned to live with them" and now they realize there's a better life available to them.

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As the troops filed out of the back of the aircraft, they were immediately met by sponsors, Soldiers from 6th "Saber" Sqdrn, 9th Cav Regt, 3rd HBCT, 1st Cav Div that volunteered to personally escort the troops during their visit to Sykes. With hugs and handshakes, it was as though the servicemen had known each other all their lives.

Eight individuals traveled to Sykes, sponsored by U.S. Army, and Troops First Foundation which allows wounded servicemen and women the opportunity to return to Iraq, gain some perspective on their injuries, and see the progress that has been made since their service and sacrifice.

The troops were given a short briefing by Lt. Col. Guy Parmeter, cmdr of the Saber sqdrn, focusing on how the Army's mission has changed over the course of the last several years. "One of the biggest changes you will notice is that the Iraqis are providing security for their cities and town," Parmeter said as he spoke to the troops. "Earlier in the war, you may have seen 50 to 60 reported incidents a day. In our area of ops, we may see 2 or 3 a week, and now we have an IA liaison that works right here with us."

The largest change these troops noticed was the true partnership between the ISF and U.S. Forces in Iraq. They received a tour of Saber's tactical ops center and got a chance to meet the IA liaison now working side-by-side with his Saber counterparts. They were amazed at the progress that had been made since their deployments, which in some cases dated as far back as 2003.

"This is great," said 1st Lt. Edwin Salau, retired, who was injured in 2004 by an RPG and small arms fire during an ambush, which resulted in the loss of his lower left leg. "This is exactly what we needed to see." After the briefing and the tour of the tactical ops center, the sponsors and troops broke off individually to tour the FOB. They checked out the living conditions, the morale, welfare and recreation facilities and the dining facility for a taste of good old Army chow.

Sgt. 1st Class Joshua Olson commented on how the living condition had changed at the FOB, saying that the Soldiers had better conditions now than he remembered having during his deployment. Olson was injured in 2003 by an RPG blast resulting in the loss of his right leg from the hip down. He still serves in the Army as a competitive marksman and marksmanship instructor.

The day ended with a ceremony in honor of these troops.  Saber Soldiers came together in a horseshoe formation to thank the troops for their service and sacrifice.  Col. Gary Volesky, the bde cmdr for 3rd "Greywolf" and Command Sgt. Maj. James Pippin, flew in from FOB Marez to honor the troops by inducting them into the Order of the Spur, a rite of passage for U.S. Army Cav Soldiers, in which they earn their gold spurs through a combat deployment with a cav unit. "As you great Americans are here healing from your wounds, you are also providing healing for us," said Volesky. "We have 16 great Americans that we have to carry back in our memories from this deployment. You being here also offers us a chance to heal. Thank you for that."

IA Brig. Gen. Rahman, cmdr, and Dr. Abdl Al, mayor of the city of Tal Afar, also attended the ceremony and spoke to the troops. "We will always remember you and your sacrifice," said Rahman. "Our blood and your blood have mixed on the Iraqi countryside. Your service has helped us stabilize Iraq. We will never forget that."

The troops of Op Proper exit are expected to tour other areas of Iraq throughout the week.

Soon, local dairy farmers will get some help from a new micro-dairy farm opening on Talabani's land near the city of Daquq, Kirkuk prov. A micro-dairy is a place where farmers near a local dairy cooperative can bring their milk to have it processed and prepared for sale at a local market.

Talabani said that since the invasion in 2003, it's been hard on small-time farmers because of a large increase in the cost of many essential farming supplies, such as equipment, fertilizer, pesticides and petrol. This opened the market for outside dairy producers to move their products into Iraq and sell them at a cheaper price than the local producers could afford to do. The local dairy business continued to spiral downward, until essentially no dairy products were being produced for sale on local markets.

With the introduction a micro-dairy farm in the area, Talabani said dairy farmers will again be able to produce a product that can compete in price with imported dairy products. Because of the closeness of this micro-dairy to the farmers who will use it, the cost of transportation will be minimal and the expense of pasteurizing and processing both cow and sheep's milk at the dairy farm will be very low.

In addition to this micro-dairy farm, 3 more will be placed in the prov. near the cities of Hawijah, Riyaad and Altun Kapri. "This will build an industry that currently doesn't exist here," said Lt. Col. Hugh McNeely, the dep. comm. officer of 2nd BCT, 1st Cav Div. "Many of the farmers already have the cows; they just need something to do with their milk."

"I feel very comfortable that this is one that can work," said McNeely to Talabani about the project. "I think this is going to be good for your assn and the whole prov."