'Team Tripoli' clears path to stability and success
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    Exclamation 'Team Tripoli' clears path to stability and success

    'Team Tripoli' clears path to stability and success

    9/11/2009 By Lance Cpl. Jason Hernandez , Multi National Force - West

    Service members from all branches of the U.S. military currently operate in Iraq and conduct a wide variety of missions from Air Force jets transporting cargo across the country to Navy doctors providing care for U.S. forces and Iraqi civilians.

    Even though each service wears different uniforms, operates different weapons systems and equipment, and even speaks in its own jargon, they are all bound together by a shared purpose.

    There are few places in Iraq where this bond is as strong as in temporary area of operations Tripoli in Ninewa province, Iraq.

    “Team Tripoli” is the nickname of a unifying project created by Lt. Col. Kenneth R. Kassner, commanding officer of 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion.

    “The idea for Team Tripoli came about to ensure that all [U.S.] forces operating in the area of operations were in sync,” said Kassner. “Together, we’ve been able to deny the enemy freedom of movement through unit coordination and daily operations.”

    Team Tripoli is comprised of various U.S. military commands operating in the area and encompasses many different operating units such as Border Transition Teams, U.S. Army operational detachments and Marine Corps light armored reconnaissance units.

    Together, the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps units deployed there conduct combined operations, in cooperation with local Iraqi army and police forces, while working to ensure that security needs are met with speed and efficiency.

    “I traveled the battle space, meeting all of the coalition leadership in the area,” said Kassner. “Then invited all of them to a meeting that included security and intelligence officers. From there, not only were we able to establish the frequency of future meetings, but we were also able to lay the ground work for what would become Team Tripoli.”

    Coordinating efforts is vital to the task of securing the province. In an area containing different ethnic groups, having everyone on the same page becomes essential to understanding activities taking place across the province.

    Capt. Chad C. Brooks, judge advocate for 3rd LAR Bn., explained that when 3rd LAR first arrived in Ninewa, arranging meetings with key figures throughout the province was slowed by having to coordinate with various chains of command.

    “Team Tripoli was a way to get everyone on the same page. This includes everyone from border security units to Army operational detachments,” explained Brooks.

    The different units are working together, coordinating efforts on everything from counter-smuggling to professionalizing the Iraqi military and police forces in the province.

    The professionalization of the Iraqi army and police is something that men like Brooks and Kassner feel they are achieving with astounding success.

    “The Iraqi army and police are doing an outstanding job of growing and organizing,” said Brooks. “When the insurgents and terrorists commit violent acts, it’s near the homes of men in the IA and IP. As we depart, the insurgents will no longer have the excuse of trying to target Americans. After that, public support for the military and police can only grow stronger.”

    As Kassner and Brooks prepare to pack their bags to return to the United States, they can leave knowing that their work on “Team Tripoli,” which was formed from an idea, has grown into an interconnected series of military units that will continue to flourish as long as U.S. forces operate in the area.

    Ellie

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