English | العربية
 
  :: Commanding General's Letter on the Security Agreement, December 2008
Azerbaijanis Complete Tour in Iraq
Thursday, 04 December 2008

Soldiers with the 1st Azerbaijani Peacekeeping Company stand in formation during a ceremony at Camp Ripper, Al Asad Airbase, Iraq, Dec. 3, 2008. Photo by Gunnery Sgt. Jason Bortz, 1st Marine Division Public Affairs.

CAMP RIPPER — For the past five years, servicemembers from a small country approximately the size of South Carolina have been providing vital security for one of Iraq’s major sources of power, the Haditha Dam.

On Dec. 3, Coalition forces recognized the hard work and efforts made by Soldiers from the 1st Azerbaijani Peacekeeping Company during the past year, for their mission in Iraq is over and the Soldiers will be returning home soon.

Azerbaijan is a small country located on the western shore of the Caspian Sea, north of Iran. Azerbaijan was once part of the Soviet Republic, but declared its independence in 1991. The country is approximately 33,000 square miles and has a population of over 8 million.

Though Azerbaijan may not be well known by most Americans, the work they have done in Iraq for the past five years deserves special recognition worldwide.

“The Azerbaijanis provided security for an absolutely vital piece of infrastructure in the al-Anbar province, the Haditha Dam, which produces in excess of 25 percent of the entire power grid for the country of Iraq,” said Col. Patrick J. Malay, commanding officer of Camp Pendleton-based Regimental Combat Team 5, whose area of operation includes the Haditha Dam.

Read more...
 

Feature Stories

Crocker, Odierno Statement on Ratified Security Agreement

U.S. EMBASSY BAGHDAD — We welcome today’s ratification by Iraq’s Presidency Council of the Strategic Framework Agreement and Security Agreement. With this action and following an exchange of diplomatic notes, these agreements will become official and will enter into force on January 1, 2009.

The United States Embassy and the Multi-National Force-Iraq will begin immediately to implement these two agreements with our Iraqi partners.  We will undertake initiatives to strengthen our cooperation in the fields of economics, energy, health, the environment, education, culture, and law enforcement.

 
School Opens for Children of Ghazaliya

School children attending the opening of the Nahwaran School in the Ghazaliya District of northwest Baghdad smile after receiving backpacks from Iraqi security and Coalition forces, Nov. 25, 2008. Photo by 2nd Lt. Cait Smith, 1st Infantry Division Public Affairs.BAGHDAD — The day was bright – as were the smiles on the faces of the families and children in attendance at the opening of Nahwaran School in the Ghazaliya district of northwest Baghdad, Nov. 25.

With more than 100 people in attendance, the event began with local Iraqi Police, Iraqi Army and teachers handing out backpacks, notebooks and pencils to the school children.
 
Clean Water Flows for Millions in Sadr City

BAGHDAD — “I am very happy for the 2 million people of Sadr City,” said Iraqi Engineer Aqeel Lami of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

“I have been working here at the R-3 Water Treatment Plant for more than three years, since the start of the project.  It’s the first in Iraq, fully automatic and with American standards of best quality,” Lami continued.

 

Photo Gallery

Helping Mom

Helping Mom

Visit from the Stars

Visit from the Stars

Perfect Fit

Perfect Fit

Embracing Culture

Embracing Culture