U.S Navy Rear Adm. Mark I. Fox, a spokesperson for Multi-National Force-Iraq, speaks Wednesday about recent progress in Iraq. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Carl N. Hudson, Combined PressInformation Center.

U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Mark I. Fox, a spokesperson for Multi-National Force-Iraq, Mr. Marcus Sani, Gulf Region Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Michael Walsh, commanding general of Gulf Region Division, outlined many advancements in the security and stability of Iraq.

Fox noted several operations that netted multiple arms caches.  In one day’s operations throughout Iraq, Coalition Forces confiscated nine weapons caches yielding a summary of 391 mortar rounds varying from 60mm to 155mm, 252 rockets of varying sizes, 21 rifles and pistols, 28 grenades, and caches of homemade weapons explosive materials that included 475 gallons of nitric acid and 5,000 pounds of fertilizer. 

“We are seeing increasingly positive trends in terms of the number of weapons and explosives being taken away from the enemy,” Fox said.  “We have seized more weapons caches in the first six months of 2007 than we did in all of last year.  The reason for the dramatic increase, the volume and accuracy of tips, now over 23,000 per month.”

Fox also credited Iraqi Security Forces for their efforts in the fight.  An example of their support and growing independence, he said, was an instance last week when an alert Iraqi Air Force pilot flying a helicopter in Basra noted thieves siphoning oil from a pipeline break in west Neisseria.  The Iraqi quickly notified the appropriate authorities who rapidly responded, arrested the thieves, confiscated their vehicles and foiled an attempt to still oil from the Iraqi people, Fox said.

Fox commented on the importance of a “one team, one mission” approach before turning the conference over to Sani, who provided an update on Iraqi reconstruction efforts.  The GRD has conducted numerous operations over the past four years, Sani said.

“We had around 35,000 projects that has been accomplished and the work is continuing over 2,000 other projects that will cost about $7 billion,” Sani said.  “And we will start also with other projects that will cost for about $2 billion.  And the total number allocated for that exceeds $26 billion that are being disbursed for 40,000 projects.”

In addition to reconstruction projects, Sani said GRD has other projects such as distributing desks and food to the people, generators to villages, blankets to displaced people and water plant projects throughout Iraq. 

All this work is being done with the cooperation of the Iraqi government, Sani said. 

“We have a good partnership with our Iraqi friends, with the ministers and deputies,” he said.  “And we have a good relationship with both sides from the GRD and the Iraqi ministries. And of course, all those sides are working for the same aim, that is to increase the services for the Iraqi civilian.”

Sani outlined many examples of supporting Iraqi ministries, including: over $72 million to the Ministry of Education for 1,400 projects such as reconstructing 180 schools and rehabilitating schools; more than $200 million for 263 projects

with the Ministry of Communication; and 190,000 projects for the Ministry of Defense.

U.S. Army Story by Sgt. Matthew McLaughlin, Combined Press Information Center

In other developments throughout Iraq:

•           The members of Multi-National Force-Iraq (MNF-I) join with the people of Iraq to congratulate you on your electrifying victory over South Korea today.  It was an exciting game in the quest for the 2007 Asian Cup.  Good luck in the finals on Sunday against Saudi Arabia!   

•           Multi-National Division-Baghdad troops uncovered a weapons cache and detained three suspected insurgents July 23 in the eastern Baghdad Adhamiyah District.