2/12th Cavalry Looks to Build on The Success of the 82nd
Captain Robin Worch, S-1 & PAO, 2/12th Cavalry
June 30, 2008

 

 

Muthanna Province, Iraq

   Muthanna Province is in Green. Source: www.goalsforamericans.org

2/12th Cavalry leadership joined members of the 82nd Airborne Division and members of the Muthanna Provincial Reconstruction team at the Joint Security Station (JSS) near Combat Outpost #6 in northern Muthanna to meet with local mayors and tribal sheiks. 

The traditional meeting took place in a modif, a traditional Iraqi meeting room, and was a welcome and a farewell.  A welcome of LTC Scott Kendrick, 2/12th Cavalry Battalion Commander, and a farewell of LTC Drummond, 1-82nd Brigade Special Troops Battalion (BSTB) Battalion Commander.  The 82nd have made many gains throughout their time in Muthanna province, one of the poorest and most sparsely populated provinces in Iraq.  2/12th Cavalry will take over responsibility for the province from 1-82nd BSTB in mid July and hopes to build on the many advances that have occurred under the BSTB. LTC Kendrick wanted to ensure that the local leaders knew that his cavalry Soldiers are here as partners to the Iraqi people.  LTC Kendrick stated that, “Their success is our success.  And we are here to support the Iraqis in their move towards a democratic and representative government through a partnership with Iraqi Army and Iraqi Police in all joint missions throughout the province.” 

     LTC Kendrick greeting a local sheik at the JSS

Muthanna falls under Provincial Iraqi Control (PIC) which requires permission from the local authorities before allowing soldiers to enter any of the cities in the province.  This could be a source of friction but has instead fostered more and greater cooperation between coalition forces and the local authorities.

2/12th Cavalry hopes to continue that spirit of cooperation throughout their deployment in the Muthanna and Dhi Qar provinces.  LTC Kendrick took the opportunity to introduce his civil military affairs team at the meeting.  Muthanna had been largely ignored under Saddam Hussain’s rule and did not receive a lot of attention at the beginning of OIF but has recently started to receive reconstruction projects started by the 82nd. 

CPT Guevara and 1LT Kester hope to continue that trend of reconstruction.  CPT Guevara said, “In an area of subsistence farmers each project no matter how small can make a big difference.  We will use all the assets that we have to continue bringing more projects to the area.

     CPT Matt Guevara talking to the Mayor of Kadir

The Soldiers and leaders of 2/12th Cavalry are professional and will acquit themselves well in this new role in Muthanna province.