Senator Obama has claimed during his trip abroad that our war in Iraq has weakened our standing with our Allies. I have here a list of Allies who are standing side by side with us in Iraq.
Albania
the Albanian contingents have conducted operations in the vicinity of the Mosul Airfield in order to minimize the threat to inbound and outbound aircraft. Throughout 2006, Albania has maintained a presence with approximately 120 soldiers, an infantry company and two Special Forces teams.
Armenia
The Armenian Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Mission in Iraq began in January 2005 when the first contingent arrived in Multi-National Division – Center South and was stationed at Camp Delta, near Al Kut, Iraq.
Australia
Since July 2003, Australia has deployed more than 5,180 total personnel to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. These forces have been deployed to support rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in Southern Iraq and to provide force security.
Azerbaijan
Since 2003, Azerbaijan has deployed over 900 troops to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. They currently have an infantry company at the Hadithah Dam embedded with the United States Marines, providing perimeter security and force protection for the Hadithah Dam in order to facilitate an uninterrupted power supply and irrigation of the Al Anbar province
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina has provided the Coalition with an Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) Platoon since joining the coalition in May 2005. Their first duty station was Fallujah, Iraq.
Bulgaria
Bulgaria provided forces in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from August 2003 until December 2005. After a short hiatus, Bulgaria rejoined the Coalition in March 2006 with an infantry company embedded with the United States Army at Camp Grizzly in Ashraf, Iraq.
Czech Republic
Since 2003 the Czech Republic has deployed a total of 1,633 troops to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. During 2006, the Czech contingent provided instructors to the Iraqi Police Academy in Basrah, training future Iraqi police.
Denmark
Since 2003, the Danish forces have completed more than 680 Civil Reconstruction projects with an overall budget of $3.2 million. In 2006 alone, the Danes have initiated 78 projects with a budget of $800,000 and been involved in other rebuilding projects in close cooperation with local councils with a budget of $1.1 million. The main effort of the Danish forces has been geared towards the refurbishing and building of schools, infrastructure, and fresh water facilities.
El Salvador
Since August 2003 El Salvador has deployed more than 3,000 troops to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. El Salvador’s troops were initially deployed as a part of the Latin America Brigade and stationed in the vicinity of An Najaf. They later moved to Al Hillah and later still to their current station at Camp Delta, Al Kut, Iraq.
Estonia
Since January 2006 the Estonian Special Forces Platoon has conducted over 300 combat patrols into Baghdad and Western Abu Ghraib. During these patrols the teams have seized weapons, ammunition and detained person’s of interest.
Georgia
Since August 2003 Georgia has rotated over 3,954 troops into Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The currentGeorgian contingent is divided into two parts, the first is a Special Forces Light Battalion stationed at FOB Warhorse near Baqubah, Iraq. The tasks that this battalion have been assigned include providing security to two important bridges and providing base security for FOB’s Warhorse, Caldwell and Gabe. The second contingent, a Light Battalion, is stationed in the International Zone in Baghdad and provides security for the United Nations Assistance Mission – Iraq.
Japan
The Japanese Reconstruction Teams operated out of As Samawah in Al Muthanna Province assisting the Iraqi civilians to rebuild their infrastructure. In the two and a half years that the Japanese were stationed in As Samawah, they provided assistance to a wide range of projects including medical services, potable water provision and repair work on the public infrastructure, such as roads and schools. These efforts resulted in easily noticed improvements and rehabilitation of the local infrastructure and the creation of numerous job opportunities. The Japanese forces, on average, created approximately 6,600 job opportunities per day or about 500,000 during the length of their tour. Furthermore, they were instrumental in beginning construction on a major power plant in As Samawah which, once completed, will dramatically increase the power output for the area. Japan has contributed over $1.2 billion thru the end of 2006 towards reconstruction of Iraq.
Kazakhstan
Since 2003 Kazakhstan has provided an essential EOD capability to the Coalition and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Tasked with searching for and destroying any unexploded ordinance within their AOR, the Kazak’s have searched and cleared, since March 2006, over 170,000 square meters. In addition to clearing their AOR, the Kazak EOD Team was tasked with destroying all ammunition located in caches or captured in raids. During this time they also provided instructors to teach the Iraqi Security Forces EOD techniques and practices.
South Korea
The Republic of Korea is one of the most valued members of the Coalition and has achieved truly phenomenal results in Multi-National Division-Northeast. With the motto “We Are Friends” the Zaytun Division has compiled a remarkable record of achievements since they began their Civil-Military Operations in Iraq in September 2004. The Koreans have established and advance literacy programs, built community centers and hospitals and provided training for the Iraqi Army and Police units in their AOR.
Lithuania
Since 2003 Lithuania has provided a total of 685 troops to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The Lithuania contingent is deployed to Camp Echo in Ad Diwaniyah with an infantry platoon stationed in Basrah, Iraq and staff officers assigned to Multi-National Force – Iraq in Baghdad, Iraq. In addition to conducting combat patrols, QRF missions and manning checkpoints, the Lithuanian forces have initiated three CIMIC projects and provide medical assistance to the local Iraqi civilians. In addition to being part of the Coalition, Lithuania also provides personnel to the NATO Training Mission – Iraq.
Macedonia
Since June 2003 Macedonia has provided a total of 259 troops to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Alternating between Ranger and Special Forces the current contingent comes from the Special Forces and consists of three teams. The Macedonian forces have conducted a variety of missions in support of the United States Army unit in which they are embedded.
Mongolia
Since joining the Coalition, Mongolia has provided a total of 828 troops to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Initially deployed to Camp Charlie at Al Hillah, the Mongolian forces were later moved to Camp Echo in Ad Diwaniyah where they remain today. Mongolia provides Force Protection to Camp Echo 24/7, manning guard towers and entry control points. Mongolia’s contribution has been invaluable in that their mission allows for other forces to conduct security patrols without having to provide personnel for base security as well.
Poland
Poland has provided the Command Element since 2003 for Multi-National Division – Center South at Camp Echo, Ad Diwaniyah, Iraq. Over 10,500 Polish troops have served in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom since 2003. In addition to the Division Command Element, the Polish Brigade Combat Team is made up an Infantry Maneuver Group, an Aviation Group, Military Police, CIMIC and MITT units. The Polish contingent, and the various coalition country contingents assigned to MND-CS, has provided security to the Iraqi inhabitants of their AOR and have restored infrastructure and facilities, delivered humanitarian aids and trained units of the Iraqi Army, Police and Border Police
Romania
Since August 2003, Romania has deployed over 5,200 troops to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Assigned to two different Multi-National Divisions, Romanian forces have provided intelligence support to Multi-National Division – Center South by conducting HUMINT Missions, Interrogations, Screenings, Reconnaissance and Surveillance Missions and operating UAV platforms. In Multi-National Division – Southeast Romanian forces provide base security, provide MSR Security and a QRF in Basrah, and conduct training and monitoring of the Iraqi Army units
Ukraine
Since August 2003, Ukraine, who originally had deployed an Infantry Brigade, has deployed over 5,800 troops to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Later reduced to a Police Training Team, the Ukrainian trainers work with the Iraqi Border Police along the Iraq-Iran border, providing advice, teaching and training the two Iraqi Border Police Brigades in their AOR.
United Kingdom
The UK is responsible for Multi-National Division – Southeast and headquartered in Basrah, Iraq. During their participation with the Coalition, the British forces have conducted Combat Patrols, Search and Arrest Missions, CIMIC Projects and Trained, Equipped and Mentored Iraqi Army, Police and Border Police units. In addition, the first two Provinces to migrate to Provincial Iraqi Control, Al Muthanna and Dhi Qar, are part of MND-SE’s AOR and are closely watched and supported by the British command
Has victory draws near may those who had not the courage to stand with us in war find the strength to work with us in peace.
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