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Soldiers Magazine

SRTV


SecArmy sees Abu Ghraib operations improve

By Lt. Col. Jeremy Martin

Acting Secretary of the Army Les Brownlee, standing beside Col. David E. Quantock, commander of the 16th MP Bde., looks over Abu Ghraib Prison in Iraq during a visit Aug. 26. Acting Secretary of the Army Les Brownlee, standing beside Col. David E. Quantock, commander of the 16th MP Bde., looks over Abu Ghraib Prison in Iraq during a visit Aug. 26.
Pfc. Jonathan J. Springer

BAGHDAD, Iraq (Army News Service, Sept. 2, 2004) – Military police now serving at Abu Ghraib detention facility near Baghdad showed the Army’s top official last week that they have improved detainee operations there, along with setting up better conditions for Soldiers.

Acting Secretary of the Army Les Brownlee met with Soldiers at Abu Ghraib Aug. 26 and received an update from the 16th Military Police Brigade out of Fort Bragg, N.C., now responsible for detainee operations there.

“We’ve conducted refresher training on the Geneva Convention Law of Land Warfare, interrogation procedures, and have actively incorporated lessons learned into our current operations to ensure that our Soldiers are as prepared as possible to conduct this demanding mission – and also to ensure that all detainees are treated with dignity, respect, and humanity,” said Col. David Quantock, 16th MP Brigade commander.

Brownlee was also briefed on major quality-of-life initiatives already underway for Soldiers serving at the facility, including a post exchange, recreation center, education center, MWR, and also the establishment of a monthly promotion board for reserve-component Soldiers.

“You are serving in a place that became famous for all the wrong reasons,” Brownlee told the troops. “It would be tragic if all Soldiers who serve here are painted with the same broad brush.”

“It’s not easy to come to a place that has a reputation like Abu Ghraib and turn it around, but you’re doing just that. You’re also providing the opportunity for the people of Iraq to have a free and democratic society. It’s their job to make it work – but you’re giving them the opportunity,” said Brownlee.

The 16th MP Bde. assumed operations for the Abu Ghraib detention facility about seven months ago. The brigade is augmented by Army Reservists Soldiers from the 319th MP Battalion out of Columbus, Ohio, and the 428th Company from South Bend, Ind.

“Our Soldiers have exhibited tremendous effort and pride in conducting their mission, spearheaded by stellar NCO leadership that has focused on standards and training. We’re also solidifying the Soldier replacement system to ensure that key leaders are replaced on time,” said Quantock.

Soldiers serving at Abu Ghraib said they had mixed emotions about their assignment to the once-troubled facility. The official investigations into allegations of abuse at Abu Ghraib, on-going legal proceedings, and the lasting images of past detainee abuse seemed to at least initially undermine Soldiers confidence.

“It was hard for Soldiers initially to come to Abu Ghraib – some Soldiers just told families and friends they were stationed in Iraq, not specifically with duty at Abu Ghraib. That’s beginning to change somewhat. Secretary Brownlee’s visit and also Secretary (Donald) Rumsfeld’s (Secretary of Defense) visit, and their comments have helped,” said 1st Lt. David Zizkousky, 391st MP Bn from Columbus, Ohio.

“It was very uncomfortable for us initially – the media makes it seem like it’s still happening now but the abuses happened over seven months ago,” said Sgt. Sean Boney, 428th MP Co., who has been at Abu Ghraib since late February. Boney’s unit provides security for military intelligence interrogations and their transports.

“The quality of life here has improved and the Soldiers are more comfortable – doing things right,” Boney said. “There’s a new sense of pride, it was terrific to have the SecDef(Secretary of Defense), the CSA(Chief of Staff Gen. Peter J. Schoomaker), and now the (acting) secretary of the Army, talk to Soldiers here and thank us for our service and what we’re doing to improve the operations here at Abu Ghraib.

“Soldiers here are doing a tough job, we’re trying to make Abu Ghraib a model facility,” said Pfc. Jonathan Springer works in the information operations cell for the 16th MP Bde. “In the seven months that our unit has been here we’ve made remarkable improvements. The duty is tough, it’s hot, it’s not an easy job, but we’re focused on the mission.”





 
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