Published: May 05, 2008 03:34 pm            

Indiana National Guard gets down to business

BAKIR, IRAQ — U.S. Army leaders are making the most of security gains made by local Iraqi leaders and moving forward with a plan to drive more economic opportunity toward Iraqis. The initiative, Iraqi-Based Industrial Zone, has been used in other parts of Iraq to support small and large business owners in their efforts to secure contracts with coalition forces.

Lt. Col. Patrick Thibodeau, operations officer for the Indiana National Guard’s 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, said the program is more about changing an environment that has until recently favored insurgents who work to destabilize Iraqi government and coalition efforts.

“This initiative is not going to solve all of their problems,” Thibodeau said, “but it starts us down a path of change by creating real economic opportunity. Insurgency will continue as long as the environment stays the same.”

Thibodeau had good reason to be optimistic, if cautious. The response to a recent invitation to discuss the program at a local community center drew a much larger crowd than he had anticipated.

Well over 100 business and community leaders met in Bakir, an Iraqi village nestled in the Tigris river valley and in the shadow of coalition forces’ largest military base in northern Iraq, listened patiently as Army and Iraqi officials discussed new opportunities.

The presentation had all the hallmarks of a small-town America chamber of commerce meeting. Leaders of Logistical Support Area Anaconda outlined services and materials they needed to support the more than 30,000 coalition personnel at the installation.

“This program is going to take a considerable amount of time and resources to implement. But it doesn’t really take as much as it takes to utilize foreign nationals,” said Thibodeau, a reference to the logistical support that comes from outside Iraq by way of costly airlifts or on dangerous supply routes.

The concept of a commerce zone adjacent to LSA Anaconda is attractive for many reasons. Security for business owners and their employees, easy access for installation contracting officers and the prospect of providing coalition personnel an opportunity to patronize local vendors are but a few advantages leaders point to.

Thibodeau also emphasized that coalition forces do not want to be the sole consumer of IBIZ suppliers and service providers. The initiative’s long-term goal is to support Iraqi businesses to grow and become vital drivers of change in the region.

“We are being very selective and forward thinking, and plan for the day when we leave,” he said.

Although resources and support will be directed to support the initiative, coalition forces are looking to local business leaders to invest capital. Army leaders want to partner with existing vocational training programs to develop training for electricians, plumbers, carpenters and other high-demand trade skills.

Most telling is the level of support the initiative is receiving from local commands, according to Thibodeau. “This initiative has absolutely everybody behind it. We understand this can go nowhere without unity of effort.”

Planners are drawing on a number of resources; engineers, civil-military affairs and finance contracting officers, among others from LSA Anaconda, are supporting the effort.

“The active component has a really good handle on the contracting and they have already made a significant impact, making sure we can be very accurate in what we say to the business owners,” said Thibodeau. “We can’t afford miscommunication.”

Additionally, he said the National Guard Soldiers of the 76th IBCT are bringing a unique perspective that can provide critical insight to drive success of the program as well.

“Many of these guys work for small businesses, or are small business owners,” he said. “They understand the challenges, the frustrations that come with it.”

Thibodeau said he could not look past the fact that Col. Courtney Carr, 76th commander and LSA Anaconda garrison commander, is the executive director of the economic development board of the city of Columbus, Ind.

“I don’t know when you’ve had somebody with that level and mix of experience, a business leader, brigade commander and West Point grad,” said Thibodeau.

Thibodeau said the Army is in the process of regaining institutional knowledge of counterinsurgency operations that was lost during the Cold War, and although it has been a challenging and often costly process, it is a process the Army is by and large embracing.

He points to Lt. Col. John Dunleavy of the 2-320th Field Artillery Regiment, as the kind of leadership that is making a difference. Dunleavy’s unit operates in the surrounding countryside, working to improve security, build relationships and support local government; classic counterinsurgency.

Dunleavy’s rapport with the local leaders was evident as he wrapped up the meeting with a translated joke, a high-stake risk that paid off.

“If you have gained nothing else from this meeting,” Dunleavy announced in a measured gait to allow the translator time, “you will at least have had lunch.”

The room laughed.

But Dunleavy continued, “I want to say something important. The time of the insurgent has passed.”

Dunleavy then paused to let the point sink in and then added: “The time for your opportunity is now ... Now, let’s eat!”

Dunleavy was rewarded with nods of agreement, a banquet provided by a local caterer and a genuinely enthusiastic session of networking and business card exchange that lasted well into the afternoon.

        

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