Continued Support From U.S. 3rd Infantry Turns The Tide
Baghdad, Iraq
The need to man checkpoints has been a vital linchpin in the increasingly secure environment in Iraq. Decreased violence, increased confidence among the Iraqi people, and an overall sense of peace and calm that has descended can be directly traced to the success of local checkpoints.
Iraqi security and police forces have recently slowly begun the process of assuming control of vital checkpoints in Saydiyah, near SE Baghdad. Their efforts continue to help bring stability and security to the area.
The local villagers and residents in the area and Saydiyah are convinced that the best security is when the Iraqi Volunteer Security checkpoints were in operation, said Lieutenant Colonel Johnnie Johnson. Colonel Johnson is the Commander of Fourth Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, Fourth Brigade, and 3rd Infantry Division.
Starting today, all Coalition forces, local Saydiyah leaders, and Iraqi Security and Police forces are coming together to make sure the checkpoints are manned and successful, said Colonel Johnson. Everyone is looking forward to being able to have other services and functions begin again in Saydiyah,? said Johnson.
We hope in the long term that all the checkpoints are manned professionally, securely and with actual people who live and are from the Saydiyah area, stated Colonel Johnson.
The Iraqi Security Volunteer forces that help man the checkpoints are actually paid a stipend or salary, one that can help make the difference in a person supporting their families.
This provides jobs, for males of working age that might not otherwise have a positive source of income, said Colonel James. The wages for the ISV force are provided by the Coalition.