thedrifter
02-14-07, 06:47 AM
Marines try to build trust with Iraqis, one complaint at a time
By Steve Mraz, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Wednesday, February 14, 2007
HADITHA, Iraq — Establishing relationships and building trust with the local population is a key component of any counterinsurgency.
The Haditha Civil Military Operations Center — manned by Marines with the 4th Civil Affairs Group — performs that community outreach for Haditha’s 50,000 residents and those living in nearby Haqlaniyah and Barwanah.
“Right now, the CMOC acts like city hall for Haditha and the whole triad,” said Capt. Kirk Merritt, director of the operations center, referring to Haditha, Haqlaniyah and Barwana.
Open six days a week for roughly five hours a day, the center is where Iraqis can come to talk to Iraqi police and leaders, file damage claims, and have Marines hash out local disputes. Locals also can obtain personal identification and vehicle registration.
On Sunday, several dozen Iraqi men stood in line outside the center after being searched by Iraqi police, waiting to speak with Marines and interpreters.
“It’s vital to have an area where local nationals can come and have direct contact with Marine leaders,” said Merritt, 31, of Glenwood Springs, Colo.
Some Iraqis were trying to get permission Sunday to drive their cars around town. Vehicles were banned in the area a few months ago because insurgents were driving around, launching attacks against Marines and then fleeing.
Since the traffic ban, attacks have slowed. The operations center is beginning to issue residents vehicle registration stickers so they can drive again.
Marines also communicate with local ministers to work out issues on food, fuel, power and water. A few weeks ago, an issue arose with the area’s water treatment plant. To supply water to the triad, power had to be cut off to one neighborhood.
“The minister came in, we hashed it out and came up with a solution,” Merritt said. “Working things out at our level here before it gets to be a bigger problem is what we do. There is a certain level of trust here as well. When we look them in the eye, we have to do what we tell them we’re going to do.”
Lance Cpl. Ryan Bonesteel volunteered to come to Iraq for the civil affairs mission.
“I like being able to deal with the people,” said Bonesteel, 22, of Littleton, Colo. “Instead of just hearing about Iraq back home, I wanted to see what was happening with my own eyes.”
The civil affairs mission in Iraq is not the most important aspect of the overall effort, but it’s a huge step toward the goal here, said Marine Staff Sgt. Andres Quiniones, 29, of Golden, Colo.
“A lot of the people here only see Marines out on patrol,” he said. “To have a place where they can come interact with us goes a long way.”
Ellie
By Steve Mraz, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Wednesday, February 14, 2007
HADITHA, Iraq — Establishing relationships and building trust with the local population is a key component of any counterinsurgency.
The Haditha Civil Military Operations Center — manned by Marines with the 4th Civil Affairs Group — performs that community outreach for Haditha’s 50,000 residents and those living in nearby Haqlaniyah and Barwanah.
“Right now, the CMOC acts like city hall for Haditha and the whole triad,” said Capt. Kirk Merritt, director of the operations center, referring to Haditha, Haqlaniyah and Barwana.
Open six days a week for roughly five hours a day, the center is where Iraqis can come to talk to Iraqi police and leaders, file damage claims, and have Marines hash out local disputes. Locals also can obtain personal identification and vehicle registration.
On Sunday, several dozen Iraqi men stood in line outside the center after being searched by Iraqi police, waiting to speak with Marines and interpreters.
“It’s vital to have an area where local nationals can come and have direct contact with Marine leaders,” said Merritt, 31, of Glenwood Springs, Colo.
Some Iraqis were trying to get permission Sunday to drive their cars around town. Vehicles were banned in the area a few months ago because insurgents were driving around, launching attacks against Marines and then fleeing.
Since the traffic ban, attacks have slowed. The operations center is beginning to issue residents vehicle registration stickers so they can drive again.
Marines also communicate with local ministers to work out issues on food, fuel, power and water. A few weeks ago, an issue arose with the area’s water treatment plant. To supply water to the triad, power had to be cut off to one neighborhood.
“The minister came in, we hashed it out and came up with a solution,” Merritt said. “Working things out at our level here before it gets to be a bigger problem is what we do. There is a certain level of trust here as well. When we look them in the eye, we have to do what we tell them we’re going to do.”
Lance Cpl. Ryan Bonesteel volunteered to come to Iraq for the civil affairs mission.
“I like being able to deal with the people,” said Bonesteel, 22, of Littleton, Colo. “Instead of just hearing about Iraq back home, I wanted to see what was happening with my own eyes.”
The civil affairs mission in Iraq is not the most important aspect of the overall effort, but it’s a huge step toward the goal here, said Marine Staff Sgt. Andres Quiniones, 29, of Golden, Colo.
“A lot of the people here only see Marines out on patrol,” he said. “To have a place where they can come interact with us goes a long way.”
Ellie