Hello Mr. Cianciola,

How are things sateside? Good i hope. Things over here are going well. We had a lot more time working with the Iraqi Police and more hands on time with them. We went out for a couple of nights to stay at the Iraqi Police station to help them with the beginning of a new station in a bad area. This is the 4th or 5th IP station built in this area. It has been there for a while now and needed some leadership for the IP's working it. I'm not trying to insult there intelligence, but if you do not babysit them they will accomplish nothing. That's the main reason we stayed out there. Our tasks were to build up fighting positions for them on the roof, clean up the trash and things i never want to see or smell again in the area, and get some paper work done, along with giving them the supplies they need. Staying there for those couple nights worked out great. We had three fighting positions completed, along with the paper work, but one thing lacks and that is the cleaning up of there area. Ohh, we also brought along bed frames with mattresses so they can have a place to sleep. It sounds weird but they do sleep at the IP station or relax on the beds. We also helped out with a new program in the area with all the civilians living near by. This new program is good to have in the area and somewhat not. It's something like a neighborhood watch, but with weapons. The civilians picture and information are put in a system so we can keep track of them and then they are given a badge, which allows them to carry one firearm. I hope you see where this can go bad. On the other hand, i feel that the people are tired of the conflict that is still near there homes. All in all i hope this program goes well and that our IP's can keep there work area up to par, so that we can hand over that are back to the people.

We also had more training with the IP's at our range on the camp and taught them first aid. Granted they learn these things at the IP academy, but we just wanted them to learn how we do things and that they feel confident with doing there jobs. Some of the IP's were great to work with because they do pick up on things quickly, but the downside of it all is that if you want something done right you have to babysit. Hopefully they will learn the importance of this mission the U.S is on and that they take the same pride that all soldiers here do in gaining freedom back for there country.

That is all i have for now and i hope you are doing alright. Have a great weekend Mr. Cianciola and everybody listening.

Signing out,

Dan Lyon