• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

PSYCHOLOGICAL OPERATIONS UNIT ATTACHED TO V CORPS FIGHTS MISINFORMATION IN IRAQ

V Corps Release

Release Date: 8/22/2003

By Spc. Christopher Stanis 1st Armored Division Public Affairs Office

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- In a city where rumors are rampant, the opinions of Baghdad's residents might be easily swayed with misinformation.

That's why the Army's tactical psychological operations teams throughout the city combat misinformation daily -- to subdue fears and paranoia citizens may have about the U.S.-led coalition.

"If there is somebody spreading rumors against (the United States), we're not going to go out and call them liars; that would just lend them more credibility," said Cpl. Philip Chun, Tactical PSYOP Detachment 1230. "Instead, we just put out the truth."

The TPTs from the 315th Tactical PSYOP Company, an Army Reserve unit from Upland, Calif. that is attached to V Corps's 1st Armored Division in Iraq, spend a lot of time in the community disseminating information through Baghdad Now, the PSYOP-created newspaper designed to provide citizens with positive news on the coalition's work in Iraq.

They also distribute posters and handbills and broadcast loudspeaker messages with important information, such as warning people to stay away from unexploded ordnance or encouraging them to join the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps.

While out in the city, team members also listen to the concerns of residents.

"We're not (intelligence) gatherers," said Capt. Aaron Davis, officer in charge of TPD 1230, "but if somebody comes up to us with a problem, we won't turn them away."

Davis said they collect as much information as they can about a situation - whether it is a robbery, a need for medical care, or information leading to the arrest of Fedayeen members - and pass it on to the proper authorities.

Chun says the willingness of Iraqis to approach and work with coalition forces to provide information reflects how tension has diminished since the 315th's arrival here May 1.

"In a lot of ways you can tell Iraqis are more accepting of us, because (PSYOP) posters used to stay up an average of three days then they would get torn down," Chun said. "Now we still see posters still hanging after three weeks."

Besides, Davis said, the majority here that is not unhappy with coalition forces is overwhelming the small number of people here who hate the coalition enough to bring harm to its soldiers.

"Eventually that small percentage will be drowned by people saying, 'Shut up,'" he said.

"There are five million people in Baghdad. I believe 99.96 percent of them are happy with us here. Life is better."

Davis attributed what resistance does remain here to economic conditions.

"The middle-class people and the educated people (in Baghdad) realize that (the rebuilding process) is going to take time," he continued. "It is the poor guy who had nothing before the war, has nothing now, and looks into the future and sees nothing, who is taking advantage that we're not as aggressive as Saddam."

Davis said over time Iraq could become a great example for peace in the Middle East.

"Iraq could be a shining light among Islamic countries," he said. "In the future it could be a good friend of the United States."