30-Day Focused Effort Brings Salman Pak Area Back To Life
Salman Pak, Iraq- As part of an effort to build the economy and improve the local government response, the soldiers of the 1-15th Regiment participated in a 30-day surge. A determined effort was made on the part of the local leaders, Coalition soldiers, and members of the Iraq National Army to try and boost Salman Pak and rejuvenate the local scene.
After the 30 days concluded last Saturday everyone involved can point to areas where it succeeded. The 15th infantry, 1st battalion worked on a number of issues. One of the main ones was their headquarters, which they moved much closer to Salman Pak.
At the same time, the Coalition unit 13th Georgian Light Infantry transferred their base of operations to COP Cleary, and worked to start operations in Salman Pak and Wehida. Leaders of the 15th Infantry, and the 3rd Heavy Combat Team met and made a number of decisions. Part of their efforts they focused on pushing south from Salman Pak to several other villages in the region.
Al Lej, and the village of Dura’iya had not seen consistent Coalition Forces in the last two years. As part of the 30 day surge, COP Cleary was constructed right next to Dura’iya. “We are working to increase the amount of our presence in the area,” said Captain Rich Thompson. Captain Thompson is Commander of Company B, 1-15th Regiment.
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“We have made a great deal of progress in talking to leaders here in the Salman Pak area. We are showing them we are here to help them, and to encourage them to lead a normal life, not to control them, or make them change,” said Thompson.
