Signals of success:

Marines support Iraqi Army in Ninewa sweeping operation

SAHL SINJAR, Iraq – As Brigadier Gen. Rasheed, commanding general of the 3rd Iraqi Army’s 11 th Brigade, looked down over the open expanses of Ninewa Province, his soldiers swept through towns looking for insurgents and evidence of criminal activity. The operation rendered the capture of several high-value individuals and improved the security of the region. But, ask Capt. John S. Kinitz, assistant operations officer for 1 st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion and he’ll explain that another success could be seen from the hilltop.

“I think we need to be proud of just how far Coalition Forces have come from the initial push into Iraq in 2003 to where we are now in 2009,” said Kinitz, 31, from Bethlehem, Penn. “Here are the Iraqi Security Forces, ready to take charge and take over security for their country.”

Berserkers rejoin 1 st LAR in Ninewa Province

SAHL SINJAR, Iraq – As Marines of 1 st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Task Force Ninewa helped support Operation New Hope, a mission to target anti-Coalition and Iraqi Security Force activity near Mosul, Company B, 1 st LAR Bn. rejoined their battalion after several months of operating in other parts of Iraq.

“After the new Status of Forces Agreement was approved, we act as more of an enabler for the ISF to conduct their missions,” said Capt. Dominique B. Neal, commanding officer for Bravo Company. “We have done our part and now it’s their turn and they are doing a magnificent job.”

Company B spent much of their deployment conducting missions in Anbar Province and Madaysis before joining 1 st LAR Bn., which has been conducting reconnaissance and security operations in Ninewa Province for more than 100 days now.

“It is good to be amongst LAR companies again and now we are back in the tempo, following trace of what the battalion has been doing for many days now,” said Neal, 33, from San Francisco. “The Marines of this company have done an outstanding job and have seen Iraq from the Jordanian and Saudi Arabian border to now, all the way up near Syria.”

One of those Marines is Cpl. David R. Burkhalter, a scout with Bravo Company. read more...

Marines secure city for Iraqi transition

BIAJ, Iraq – Operating from a small compound on the outskirts of Biaj, Military and Police Transition Teams have been assisting Iraqi Security Forces take control of their area with the help of a small detachment of Marines from 1 st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion.

With a team of less than 20 men, the only Marines in the area have maintained a presence that helps not only soldiers here accomplish their mission, but the Iraqi people to enjoy security in an area where few U.S. forces have been, explained Sgt. Ernest C. Browne IV, designated marksman with 1 st LAR Bn.

“It is a great privilege to be the only ones operating in a battle space that has been almost completely untouched by Marines,” said Browne. “While the rest of our battalion and Marine forces as a whole have moved out of urban areas, it has been a unique opportunity for us to have tactical employment in some of Iraq’s northern cities.”

Partnership with the Iraqi Security Forces in the area has also allowed this small unit a look at how other services are handing responsibility over to the Iraqis, said Browne.

“This has been an awesome opportunity to have the chance to work with some of the leadership from the Army,” said Browne. “Their role here has caused some big changes in the efficiency of the Iraqi Army and it’s been a pleasure to work with them.” read more...