Published: April 06, 2006
Bayji Security Agencies Work Together for Community Good
Capt. Amy A. Bishop, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
BAYJI, Iraq (April 3, 2006) -The newly formed Bayji Security Council and Coalition Forces are coming together to discuss ways to combat security problems in the city.
Members of the Bayji Security Council meet to discuss security problems and ways to utilize all available agencies to combat them.
U.S. Army photo: Capt. Amy A. Bishop, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment |
The Security Council was created to coordinate the efforts of the Iraqi security agencies, Coalition Forces and the leaders of the city. Joint meetings allow them to share information and participate in planning efforts to ensure the safety and security for the citizens of Bayji.
All areas of security are represented on the council not only from Bayji but surrounding villages: The Iraqi Police chiefs, the commander of the local Iraqi Army Battalion, members of the five different Strategic Infrastructure Battalions, the Highway Patrol, the internal infrastructure security leaders from the local chemical plant, oil refinery and power station, and the head of the Joint Communications Center. Also included are the mayor of Bayji and two members of the security subcommittee of the Bayji City Council.
The Joint Communications Center, Iraq's version of a 9-1-1 center, acts as a central reporting hub for all significant activities relating to security in the area such as IED strikes and direct fire attacks.
At the beginning of the meeting, the JCC briefs the members on all significant activities that have occurred throughout the week. This is important because many of the members live in outlying villages and are unaware of what is going on in other areas around the city.
Lt. Col. Randy George, Battalion Commander of 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, chairs the second part of the meeting. During this part of the meeting, suggestions are made and plans are developed, to combat problem areas utilizing assets from all different agencies.
Worker from the city of Bayji comes out to the Security Council meeting to pick up the new ambulance being presented to the city before the meeting.
U.S. Army photo: Capt. Amy A. Bishop, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment |
The meetings are also used to spread the word about good things that are happening, such as completed projects and improved conditions in Bayji. Before the meeting today, Coalition Forces presented two new ambulances purchased for the city to the members of the council. One is to be utilized by the local hospital and one for a nearby aid station in a village to the south of the city.
"The reason that we did it at the Security Council meeting is to - one, show that things are getting done in Bayji and things are getting better - and two to show them that Coalition Forces are trying to make things better for them," said Capt. Scott Goehring, Civil Affairs Officer, 445th Civil Affairs Battalion from Chicago, Ill., attached to the 1/187th Inf Regt. Goehring serves as the Coalition Force's liaison for the council.
Goehring believes that the meetings are definitely helping the agencies to work together and improve the security for the city. "When we started with this they never talked to each other at all. Now they are talking - and working together, - it has helped immensely."
ADDITIONAL PHOTOS:
Lt. Col. Randy George, Battalion Commander for the 1/187th Infantry Regt, 3rd Brigade Combat Tm, 101st Airborne Division and a sheik from the Bayji City Council talk prior to the Security Council Meeting.
U.S. Army photo: Capt. Amy A. Bishop, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment |
An Iraqi Army representative on the Bayji Security Council takes notes during the JCC briefing on the significant activities that have occurred around the city during the week.
U.S. Army photo: Capt. Amy A. Bishop, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment |
Capt. Scott Goehring, of Chicago Ill. and his interpreter show the newly acquired ambulance to a local sheik and the Bayji Chief of Police before a meeting of the Bayji Security Council
U.S. Army photo: Capt. Amy A. Bishop, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment |
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