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FOB LOYALTY, Iraq, August 2, 2006 - Multi-National Division - Baghdad Soldiers of 4th Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, attended the Zafariniya Government Council meeting July 25 in Baghdad's Zafaraniya district. The meeting was key in that the soldiers of 4th Battalion have a vital stake in Zafaraniya's security since they patrol the area on a daily basis, along with the Iraqi National Police. "These are all the leaders," said SPC Charles Joseph, a combat medic with Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 4th Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, adding that all of the district and religious leaders attended the event. "You've got all the key players in there seeing how they can improve security for their people," added CPT Ernest Meadows, operations officer, Special Police Transition Team, 2nd Battalion, 8th Iraqi Brigade. "It allows national police and Iraqi police to see 'this is what the people want, this is what we need to do, lets go out and do it. "The meeting can sometimes last up to six hours and can become very heated. At one point, a disagreement over curfews arose. LTC Kevin Milton, commander of 4th Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, followed the debate through an interpreter. "This is a standard. Let's be clear, there is only one curfew time. It extends to every muhalla, to every street," said Milton. Putting leaders of the various constituencies in the same room has a value all its own. "This is an excellent chance to teach Iraqi civic and government leaders how to network effectively," said MAJ Bruce Coyne, operations officer, 4th Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment. |
