Published: October 23, 2006
Army leaders attend district council meeting in Muqdadiyah
By Spc. Amanda Morrissey, 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
Lt. Col. Lou Lartigue, 2-9 Cavalry, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, laughs with Muqdadiyah council chairman Ra'ad Abd Jasim and an Iraqi translator at a district council meeting in Muqdadiyah, Iraq, Oct. 17.
Photo: Spc. Amanda Morrissey, 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment |
MUQDADIYAH, Iraq - District council members continued weekly meetings in Muqdadiyah, Iraq, by gathering with members of the U.S. Army Tuesday to discuss issues ranging from the operation of security checkpoints to rebuilding vital infrastructure.
The Muqdadiyah district council was formed with representatives from surrounding cities, as well as representatives from the Iraqi Army and police forces.
Council meetings have been facilitated by members of 2nd Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, since they arrived at Forward Operating Base Normandy in August.
"Our role is guiding and coaching in order to bring parties together to find agreements and common ground for a partnered way ahead," said Lt. Col. Lou Lartigue, the commander of 2-9 Cav. "Our success is their success. Any problem brought to me is really an Iraqi problem, and it'll be Iraqis who fix it."
Lartigue's squadron, deployed from Fort Carson, Colo., began operating out of FOB Normandy after spending 10 months at FOB Wilson. Since arriving, it has developed a schedule that has allowed many of the district's meetings to focus on security concerns, he said.
This last meeting was attended by the Muqdadiyah Chief of Police, Brig. Gen. Amer Kamel Aiden, and Iraqi Army Brig. Gen. Rahman Jerry Challab Al-Jahabi, of the 5th Iraqi Army Division.
What's more, the council has spent equal time discussing the city's infrastructure, said Lartigue. Muqdadiyah's market, once destroyed by insurgents, has come back to life thanks to the efforts of city officials, he said.
Capt. Ronald Magtanong, who works with the squadron's civil affairs staff to help coordinate infrastructure rebuilding projects, said the city has come a long way in restoring vital services.
"I saw the mayor looking at the burned out buildings," said Magtanong. "He was speaking to the owners and all the workers were working. It showed me there are people who can make a difference and who do care."
According to Magtanong, the council has also worked towards rebuilding roadways and bridges. Some of those projects are still in progress, he said.
Tuesday's meeting was one of the last that members of 2-9 Cav. will attend. The unit will be replaced in the coming weeks by 6-9 Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division, from Fort Hood, Texas.
"I look forward to building on the success of 2-9 (Cav.,)" said Lt. Col. Keith Gogas, the commander of 6-9 Cav. "I'm extremely impressed with how far along the city council has come. 2-9 Cav. really built those relationships and I want to continue with the relationships they've already established.
"Sitting in on the council meeting, I was very impressed," said Gogas, who arrived at FOB Normandy the day before the meeting. "I sat there and thought, 'This could be any city council meeting back home, where everybody tries to get their voice heard.' But, at the end of the day, everybody's there to work for the good of the local population."
alan@newsblaze.com
Search News
