Contact: Shane Wolfe

Contact: Shane Wolfe wolfes@orha.centcom.mil MEMBERS OF IRAQI SECURITY FORCES HONORED FOR BRAVERY IN DISPOSING OF EXPLOSIVES Baghdad, Iraq February15, 2004 – About 50 members of Iraq’s ever-growing security services beamed with pride and applauded their comrades this weekend as their bravery in disposing of explosive ordnance was recognized for the first time. The members of the Ministry of Interior’s Civil Defense and Iraqi Police Service Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams were presented pins by Coalition forces from the U.S. Army 63rd and 79th EOD battalions. The pins recognized those who have received EOD training from Coalition forces as well as those who have gone on to become supervisors and master technicians. The Iraqi technicians help to provide safety and security for their country by undertaking the dangerous task of disposing of unexploded ordnance and improvised explosive devices. “Our work is about humanity; it is important to protect both Iraqi people and property,” said Colonel Laith Yass Abbas, chief of Baghdad’s Rusafa fire district. “These courageous men work together everyday for the new Iraq and protect it from our terrorist enemies. They use their skills with their eyes on the new democratic Iraq.” The 63rd and 79th EOD battalions work closely with and provide on-going training to the Iraqi technicians.