A report on an awards ceremony for the 203rd Iraqi National Guard Battalion. Also mention of some of the on-going projects in support of the ING.

Balad, Iraq - Soldiers from Task Force 1-77, “Steel Tigers,” 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, have been working closely with their counter-parts from the 203rd Iraqi National Guard Battalion since their arrival in Iraq in March. Soldiers from the “Steel Tigers” have trained the ING on everything from common soldier skills such as basic rifle marksmanship and marching, to more advanced medical training and platoon level patrolling skills. The focus of this intense training has been to develop the ING into a competent, professional organization that the Iraqi people will be able to rely on to provide them with security. Following the Transfer of Authority on June 28th, 2004, soldiers from the 203rd ING have taken on an increasingly larger role in the effort to bring peace to Iraq. On Friday, September 3rd, at the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 203rd ING Command Post, soldiers from both units participated in an awards ceremony to recognize soldiers from the 203rd ING who have distinguished themselves through their actions and service since June 28th.

The ceremony, held in HHC/203rd’s nearly completed, $92,900 motor-pool facility that is being sponsored by TF 1-77, was attended by over 50 local dignitaries, to include the Balad District Mayor, the Balad City Council President, members of the Balad District and City Councils, and prominent Sheiks from the area, whose tribes produce many of the ING soldiers. The event was covered not only by the American military’s “Combat Camera,” but also by representatives from recently started newspapers in the cities of Balad and Yethrib. These newspapers are being sponsored through grants from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team.

Ten soldiers from the ING were recognized on Friday for their leadership, duty performance, and dedication to serving their country. Each soldier received an award certificate, as well as a 1st Infantry Division coin. The awards were presented to the soldiers by their Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Shaker Faris, who addressed his battalion and the guests at the beginning of the ceremony. “It is great to have members of the community here to celebrate with these soldiers who are working so hard to protect them,” he said. “This is very good to be able to recognize their hard work. We are very proud of them, and they are proud to serve Iraq.” LTC Shaker was followed by Lieutenant Colonel David Hubner, Sr., Commander of Task Force 1-77. LTC Hubner, who has emphasized the need for his soldiers to work with and mentor the ING, spoke to the gathering about the importance of the Coalition Forces and the Iraqi people working together to help bring peace to Iraq. “This is a great day for Iraq,” he said. “Today we recognize the hard work and dedication of all of the soldiers of the 203rd ING Battalion, as well as the 10 soldiers who are being awarded for distinguishing themselves in their service to Iraq. I am proud to be a part of this ceremony, as we are all brothers, working to make Iraq and the Iraqi people free from tyranny.”

Staff Sergeant Breer, from HHC/203rd, earned his award for his hard work developing a system to reorganize and properly account for the equipment in the Battalion supply room. “I am very proud today to be a part of the Iraqi National Guard. I am very happy to be getting this award, and very happy to be able to help my people.” The awards ceremony was not only a great opportunity for the soldiers of the 203rd to be recognized by their leadership for their hard work, but it was also a chance for the Iraqi public whom they are working to defend to recognize the soldiers for their contributions to their communities. Mayor Fawsi, the Balad District Council President, addressed the soldiers, and thanked them for their service. “Today we recognize these fine soldiers for their commitment to making Balad a better place. They are playing an important role in our efforts to rebuild Iraq.” This ceremony is a part of a larger effort by TF 1-77 to develop a strong relationship built on trust and cooperation between local city and district governments and the ING. Charlie Company, 1-26 Infantry, which is attached to TF 1-77, used a recent Isahki City Council meeting to recognize the soldiers from their area of operations who have completed TF 1-77’s basic training course, and would be heading to Tikrit for an intense ING basic training course. This ceremony, much like the one held today, gave local council members an opportunity to see the hard work of their ING soldiers for themselves.

Following the ceremony, Colonel Randal Dragon, Commander of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, who attended the ceremony, spoke with and congratulated the ING soldiers. The ING soldiers showed their appreciation for the Colonel’s visit, presenting him with a plaque and a banner, each commemorating the joint efforts of the American soldiers of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team and Task Force 1-77, and the soldiers of the 203rd ING Battalion. Task Force 1-77 will continue to work closely with and support the 203rd ING until their redeployment back to Schweinfurt, Germany. The Task Force is continuing to fund projects to improve ING facilities, such as their $200,000 project to build Charlie Company, 203rd ING, a brand new command post facility in Isahki, and to resource them with things such as three hot meals per day and fresh drinking water for each soldier.