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By Spc.
Aaron L. Rosencrans
2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs
TAJI, Iraq — In a continuing
effort to reach out and build stronger relationships with
local leaders, Hudson, Ohio native, Col. Todd B. McCaffrey,
commander of the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th
Infantry Division, made a personal stop to visit Sheik
Sabah, local leader of Hor al Bash, a community outside
Baghdad.
This trip was
mostly just a meet and greet, but McCaffrey and Sheik Sabah
discussed topics like essential services and traffic in the
area.
The major
essential service Sheik Sabah brought to the discussion was
bringing electricity back to the community. The power lines
were damaged a while back, but the community replaced the
broken parts. The only thing that needed to be done was have
the lines hooked back up.
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Creighton, Nebraska native, Cpt. Jim
Polak C Troop 2-14 Cavalry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division,
enjoys some tea with local residents in Jerfal-Milla Taji,
Iraq on 15 January, 2008. The meet and greet event was
coordinated through the local leader, Sheik Naji. (photo by
Spc. Elliot Valdez, 2nd Stryker Brigade)
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McCaffrey
said if the local leaders could provide the supporting
documentation from the government of Iraq, he would be happy
to help them reattach the main power lines.
This was one
of the key topics discussed during the third installment of
the Northwest Regional Baghdad Security Summit held Jan. 10.
“Right now, we have created a window of
opportunity for the Iraqi Government,” McCaffrey said during
the summit. “All they need to do is walk through hat window
and take advantage of this situation.”
Reinstalling
the power lines to Hor al Bosh would be another step toward
improving the quality of life for the Iraqis of that area.
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San Bernadino,
California native Lt. Col. Thomas H. Mackey,
Commander 2-14, 25th Infantry Division, shares a
meal with local Sheik Naji in Jerfal-Milla Taji,
Iraq. The security of the Taji area has improved in
recent months.
(photo by Spc. Elliot
Valdez, 2nd Stryker Brigade)
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