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Release A051215a

Iraqi, U.S. forces prepare security at polling sites

Multi-National Force-Iraq

CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Soldiers of 3rd Brigade,1st Armored Division and Iraqi officials northwest of Baghdad spent the last week working toward a common goal: making polling sites as secure as possible. The Soldiers transported concrete barriers and emplaced them at polling places to ensure that voters remain safe during the historic national elections on Dec. 15. The entire planning process was a collaborative effort between Coalition Forces, Iraqi officials, and the Iraqi Army. Iraqi Police and Iraqi Army will assume the primary role of polling site security on election day.

Iraqi officials took the lead in planning election-site security and 3/1 AD troops assisted with logistics, said Maj. Scott Sill, civil military operations officer for the brigade. Joint planning began right after the Constitutional Referendum vote in October. Everyone involved was able to refine and improve their December plans based on their experience from the first two elections. The Iraqi Forces are building on what they achieved during the Referendum vote when they curbed attacks and ensured that citizens made it to the polls safely.

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THIS STORY HAS ACCOMPANYING PHOTOGRAPHS.  TO RECEIVE THE PHOTOS, E-MAIL THE CPIC PRESS DESK AT cpicpressdesk@iraq.centcom.mil. 

CUTLINES:

TAJI, Iraq -- Sgt. William Moon, an artilleryman with 4th Battalion, 1st Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 1st Armored Division, secures a concrete barrier on the back of a cargo truck Dec. 11.  (U.S. Army photo) 

TAJI, Iraq -- Concrete barriers are stored at Camp Taji on Dec. 11, waiting to be emplaced to provide security for Iraqi polling sites during the Dec. 15 national elections.   (U.S. Army photo)

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FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS RELEASE, CONTACT THE TASK FORCE BAGHDAD PUBLIC AFFAIRS PLANS AND OPERATIONS NCO, MASTER SGT DAVID ABRAMS AT:  DAVID.ABRAMS@ID3.ARMY.MIL.