WEBVTT 00:06.540 --> 00:09.040 today on Freedom's Journal Iraq . Iraqi 00:09.040 --> 00:11.010 forces take responsibility for the 00:11.020 --> 00:13.131 security of the International Zone in 00:13.131 --> 00:15.298 Baghdad and Specialist Cold Evil takes 00:15.298 --> 00:17.409 us on a patrol up and down the Tigris 00:17.409 --> 00:24.560 River . 00:25.040 --> 00:27.760 Welcome to this edition of Freedom 00:27.760 --> 00:30.130 Journal Iraq . I'm army sergeant Sherry 00:30.130 --> 00:32.241 neighbors and here's a look at events 00:32.241 --> 00:34.660 shaping the region . Every day the 00:34.660 --> 00:37.170 Iraqi army takes one more step towards 00:37.180 --> 00:39.236 independently securing the future of 00:39.236 --> 00:41.291 their country . Recently , the fifth 00:41.291 --> 00:43.820 brigade of the six Iraqi Army held a 00:43.830 --> 00:46.150 ceremony celebrating its activation 00:46.160 --> 00:48.770 Specialist rene Mayhem has more on this 00:48.770 --> 00:51.970 momentous occasion way 00:51.980 --> 00:55.930 after eight weeks of training soldiers 00:55.930 --> 00:58.097 from the fifth Brigade , 60 Iraqi army 00:58.097 --> 01:00.330 divisions are at last ready to take on 01:00.330 --> 01:02.497 the mission of protecting the citizens 01:02.497 --> 01:06.400 of Iraq way . This brigade will be 01:06.400 --> 01:08.400 responsible for defending the green 01:08.400 --> 01:10.990 zone and surrounding areas in Baghdad a 01:10.990 --> 01:12.760 difficult task . But these new 01:12.760 --> 01:15.040 inductees into the Iraqi military are 01:15.040 --> 01:17.210 trained by the best and ready for the 01:17.210 --> 01:19.960 task ahead . We've had soldiers duties 01:19.970 --> 01:22.270 as they call them have been wanting to 01:22.270 --> 01:25.010 be here . Uh They train hard , they've 01:25.010 --> 01:27.177 worked hard to get to where they're at 01:27.177 --> 01:29.288 today and today with their activation 01:29.288 --> 01:31.399 ceremony which is a turning point for 01:31.399 --> 01:33.510 the brigade from training to actually 01:33.510 --> 01:35.510 duel patrols and security degrees . 01:35.510 --> 01:37.621 They will show the american people as 01:37.621 --> 01:39.788 well as the Iraqi people to take up to 01:39.788 --> 01:42.590 the task and can handle the job . Such 01:42.590 --> 01:44.757 a significant accomplishment for these 01:44.757 --> 01:46.923 soldiers is more than enough cause for 01:46.923 --> 01:48.979 celebration . Troops get to show off 01:48.979 --> 01:52.770 basic soldering skills and 01:52.770 --> 01:54.714 even some specialty skills learned 01:54.714 --> 01:57.570 along the way . These brave warriors 01:57.570 --> 01:59.737 called themselves the defenders of the 01:59.737 --> 02:01.681 Green zone and have already proved 02:01.681 --> 02:03.570 themselves worthy of such a title 02:04.290 --> 02:08.020 way we learn from the Iraqi 02:08.020 --> 02:09.964 we've got our soldiers have a good 02:09.964 --> 02:11.742 feeling about the training they 02:11.742 --> 02:14.090 received from the americans . They 02:14.100 --> 02:17.130 proved very successful operation they 02:17.130 --> 02:19.830 had in the street 02:21.140 --> 02:24.720 and I feel proud that the Iraqi 02:24.720 --> 02:28.190 soldiers can defend the country of Iraq 02:28.200 --> 02:30.790 and I hope God make them bad and keep 02:30.790 --> 02:34.430 them safe . With over 2500 troops being 02:34.440 --> 02:37.030 activated today , the future of Iraq's 02:37.030 --> 02:39.360 military looks brighter than ever . 02:39.370 --> 02:41.020 Specialist rene May hand 02:41.530 --> 02:45.330 way six Iraqi 02:45.330 --> 02:47.560 army now has three brigades currently 02:47.570 --> 02:50.190 activated and securing areas in Baghdad 02:50.200 --> 02:52.970 by the october elections . Coalition 02:52.970 --> 02:55.090 forces plan to have as many as six 02:55.090 --> 02:57.590 brigades activated in the Baghdad area . 02:57.600 --> 03:00.010 Coalition forces continue to provide 03:00.010 --> 03:02.010 advanced training and assistance to 03:02.010 --> 03:05.110 these truths . Sergeant first class 03:05.110 --> 03:06.943 scott speaks , joins us now with 03:06.943 --> 03:09.880 today's away of headlines . Iraqi 03:09.880 --> 03:12.047 security and coalition forces continue 03:12.047 --> 03:14.047 operations scimitar and the Zaidoun 03:14.047 --> 03:16.269 region south east of Fallujah on sunday 03:16.269 --> 03:18.047 and improvised explosive device 03:18.047 --> 03:20.269 detonated near a military vehicle and a 03:20.269 --> 03:22.436 second I . D . Was discovered during a 03:22.436 --> 03:24.158 security patrol . Marines also 03:24.158 --> 03:26.213 discovered two weapons caches inside 03:26.213 --> 03:28.436 and that included mines , bomb making , 03:28.436 --> 03:30.602 materials , rockets and assault rifles 03:30.602 --> 03:32.769 operations . Scimitar call is a series 03:32.769 --> 03:32.480 of counterterrorism operations 03:32.520 --> 03:34.631 initiated by marines in the all Armed 03:34.631 --> 03:36.853 our province . The design is to disrupt 03:36.853 --> 03:38.964 terrorist activity and help end their 03:38.964 --> 03:40.853 campaign of fear and intimidation 03:40.853 --> 03:42.964 against Iraqi citizens also on sunday 03:42.964 --> 03:45.187 coalition forces released a Cyrus Kar , 03:45.187 --> 03:47.409 an Iranian born US citizen after he and 03:47.409 --> 03:49.464 his Iranian companion and their taxi 03:49.464 --> 03:51.631 driver were detained by the Iraqi army 03:51.631 --> 03:53.687 near balad on May 17th . A search of 03:53.687 --> 03:55.853 their car turned up 35 washing machine 03:55.853 --> 03:57.909 timers , a common component used for 03:57.909 --> 03:59.631 the construction of improvised 03:59.631 --> 04:01.631 explosive devices . Based on an FBI 04:01.631 --> 04:03.687 investigation , the testimony of car 04:03.687 --> 04:05.742 and the witness he called along with 04:05.742 --> 04:07.798 other witness statements . The board 04:07.798 --> 04:09.964 determined he was not an enemy commend 04:09.964 --> 04:09.870 recommended his release , which was 04:09.870 --> 04:12.350 approved . Visitor general Don Alston , 04:12.350 --> 04:14.350 Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic 04:14.350 --> 04:16.517 Communications , multinational force . 04:16.517 --> 04:18.461 Iraq said this case highlights the 04:18.461 --> 04:20.517 effectiveness of our detainee review 04:20.517 --> 04:22.683 process . We followed well established 04:22.683 --> 04:24.683 procedures and Mr Carr has now been 04:24.683 --> 04:26.683 properly released . The taxi driver 04:26.683 --> 04:28.739 remains in coalition custody pending 04:28.739 --> 04:30.906 the results of investigations into his 04:30.906 --> 04:32.794 activities . And that's a look at 04:32.794 --> 04:34.739 today's headlines here . Three day 04:34.739 --> 04:36.739 weather forecast is coming up . But 04:36.739 --> 04:38.906 first this reminded from randy hill of 04:38.906 --> 04:40.794 Italy texas that America supports 04:40.794 --> 04:47.110 you . 05:29.040 --> 05:31.590 The Tigris River in Iraq is one of the 05:31.590 --> 05:33.830 most ancient rivers in the world . It 05:33.830 --> 05:35.941 is also attempting means of transport 05:35.941 --> 05:37.997 for illegal movement of weapons from 05:37.997 --> 05:39.941 one area of the country to another 05:39.941 --> 05:42.170 specialist coal evil takes upon a ride 05:42.170 --> 05:44.290 with soldiers who prevent terrorists 05:44.290 --> 05:46.179 from navigating the river without 05:46.179 --> 05:47.179 paying a price 05:47.540 --> 05:51.400 tigers group . Main route 05:51.410 --> 05:53.600 for Rocky trade and shipping . It is 05:53.610 --> 05:55.830 also an obvious way for terrorists to 05:55.830 --> 05:57.608 move anti coalition weapons and 05:57.608 --> 05:59.830 supplies around the country . That's 05:59.830 --> 06:01.719 why the soldiers of Task Force 27 06:01.719 --> 06:04.000 infantry are out in boats combing every 06:04.000 --> 06:06.222 section of the river . Just north south 06:06.222 --> 06:08.278 of Tikrit . Today was an S . O . I . 06:08.278 --> 06:10.333 Engagement . We , uh , move the boat 06:10.333 --> 06:13.220 north on the Tigris River . And while 06:13.230 --> 06:15.563 meeting with the locals along the river , 06:15.563 --> 06:18.520 we also had another team looking to see 06:18.520 --> 06:20.464 if there's any unusual activity or 06:20.464 --> 06:22.464 signs of unusual activity . Weapons 06:22.464 --> 06:24.690 trafficking , things of that nature of 06:24.690 --> 06:26.801 the mission was really high spots for 06:26.801 --> 06:28.746 boats . That's what we're actually 06:28.746 --> 06:30.690 doing . The mission . Place behind 06:30.690 --> 06:32.968 another problem . Just checking it out , 06:32.968 --> 06:34.857 make sure , you know , there's no 06:34.857 --> 06:37.023 hospitals or anything like that on the 06:37.023 --> 06:39.246 island . Usually boat crew departs with 06:39.246 --> 06:41.570 8 to 10 personnel per boat dispersed , 06:41.580 --> 06:44.610 evenly balanced during fast turns . The 06:44.620 --> 06:47.500 team consistently commander , the front 06:47.500 --> 06:51.480 gunner , snipers , both security 06:51.850 --> 06:54.640 and the driver or boat captain . It's a 06:54.650 --> 06:56.761 different world . Just getting on the 06:56.761 --> 06:58.928 boat in off the boat , learning how to 06:59.060 --> 07:01.004 fight the current to keep the boat 07:01.004 --> 07:03.227 steady . You know , you gotta make sure 07:03.227 --> 07:05.449 the guys get on the most safe . So it's 07:05.449 --> 07:07.671 hard to keep doing it once in a while , 07:07.671 --> 07:09.449 you get the hang of it . That's 07:09.449 --> 07:11.504 different . They're still doing your 07:11.504 --> 07:13.616 job regardless here in a home here on 07:13.616 --> 07:15.727 the boat . Just something different , 07:15.727 --> 07:15.320 you know , change the case , which is 07:15.320 --> 07:17.420 good because the entire drugs . 07:18.390 --> 07:22.000 They patrol with 07:22.000 --> 07:24.240 28 ft fiberglass deep hole boats 07:24.250 --> 07:26.980 usually used for deep water fishing 07:26.990 --> 07:29.610 that sometimes causes problems for the 07:29.610 --> 07:31.832 crew smile . Let me drive their boats . 07:31.832 --> 07:33.832 But uh with this river is different 07:33.832 --> 07:35.999 because the channel , you know , 30 ft 07:35.999 --> 07:38.580 go out to five ft just gotta back off , 07:38.590 --> 07:40.368 you know , learn to recover and 07:40.368 --> 07:42.590 learning channel . You know , it's kind 07:42.590 --> 07:44.646 of difficult , but you have to go up 07:44.646 --> 07:43.770 and down a couple times . You get the 07:43.770 --> 07:46.740 hang of it feed also helps the soldiers 07:46.750 --> 07:48.750 50 need to get in and out of sticky 07:48.750 --> 07:50.630 situations quickly . The boats 07:50.630 --> 07:53.800 equipment to 1 15 mercury engines that 07:53.800 --> 07:57.150 can reach 35 to 40 miles per an hour . 07:57.160 --> 07:59.327 Unlike the um , the , when it comes to 07:59.327 --> 08:02.320 protection , speed armor is the boats 08:02.330 --> 08:04.480 that shield soldiers continue to wear 08:04.480 --> 08:06.591 all their kids what I'm wearing right 08:06.591 --> 08:08.702 now . So they've got their vests on , 08:08.702 --> 08:10.869 they've got their , their shabby place 08:10.869 --> 08:13.036 and they've got their mitch helmets on 08:13.036 --> 08:15.258 to provide them the protection you have 08:15.258 --> 08:18.150 against a small arms fire . And that's 08:18.150 --> 08:20.261 what we would probably see out on the 08:20.261 --> 08:22.380 river . I got a nice squad . Great 08:22.380 --> 08:24.269 squad . You know , these guys are 08:24.269 --> 08:26.491 always have to protect me too , was for 08:26.491 --> 08:28.602 them . A whole platoon is great . But 08:28.602 --> 08:30.436 you know , whatever you got each 08:30.436 --> 08:32.491 other's back . Although the soldiers 08:32.491 --> 08:34.602 didn't catch any terrorists . The day 08:34.602 --> 08:36.769 was not wasted . Well , we got to know 08:36.769 --> 08:38.824 the local people and we got to learn 08:38.824 --> 08:40.850 something new and what we found out 08:40.850 --> 08:43.830 today is they're making coal and a 08:43.840 --> 08:46.410 migratory family from Southern Iraq 08:46.510 --> 08:49.520 that came up here about 10 families 08:49.970 --> 08:52.440 together . They make coal with burn the 08:52.440 --> 08:54.551 wood and buried in the ground and got 08:54.551 --> 08:57.610 to meet some new people and they just 08:57.620 --> 08:59.898 put some faces to the people out there , 08:59.898 --> 09:02.064 putting a face to the locals , showing 09:02.064 --> 09:05.830 them why they are there to prevent the 09:05.840 --> 09:08.460 possibility of harm to other Iraqi 09:08.460 --> 09:11.020 families in the future , specialists 09:11.020 --> 09:14.760 call evil af news along the Tigris 09:14.760 --> 09:17.800 River . Thanks for watching the 09:17.800 --> 09:19.911 newscast that brings you stories from 09:19.911 --> 09:21.967 the front lines of the war on terror 09:21.967 --> 09:24.133 and Operation Iraqi . Freedom from all 09:24.133 --> 09:26.467 of us here at a pen and Freedom Journal . 09:26.467 --> 09:27.800 Iraq have a great day . 09:32.340 --> 09:33.560 Yeah .