Iraq: Land of Sheiks and Agriculture (VIDEO)

Agriculture flourishes near Balad along with the good relations between American soldiers and local governmental leaders; known here as sheiks.

(BALAD, Iraq) - Iraq may invoke images of desert terrain and that is the case in certain areas, but around Balad, agriculture is the mainstay of the local economy.

Sgt Jonathan Fondow with the U.S. Army's 101st Airborne, says it is very good land, "Compared to if you go north or south of here, this is probably the best farming area that I have seen."

On this day, members of the 101st Airborne visited a local sheik who oversees the area's produce stores that sell these ag products that in turn feed many of the local people here. The relations are good according to SSgt Peter Bjorklund, a resident of Washington state, an area also known for local agriculture.

SSgt Peter Bjorklund who heads this platoon, says the interaction between sheiks and soldiers is often a pleasant and successful experience.

"Definitely, we build rapport with them and get to know them, the whole entire family, that's a good feeling."

During this visit, Bjorklund inquired as to the whereabouts of a man from this village who frequently shares information with these soldiers.

Through the platoon's interpreter, the Sheik explained, "I saw him yesterday with you guys and I saw them today, he went to (deal with) some tribe problem, he's not here."

Iraq may be at war, but the people who live here are friendly and cooperative with these soldiers. There may not be much in the way of choice when it comes to this, but they often go above and beyond the call to accommodate these Americans, according to Bjorklund.

"Every time we come out here we expect a quick meet and greet, they usually expect us to come in and have chai, they cook us lunch or dinner; the hospitality is pretty amazing."

The crops vary in nature, but are largely reminiscent of California's farmlands.

Fondow explained, "We have grapes, date palms, we also have a lot of wheat, but the primary sources are between the grapes, oranges, fruit and things like that."

Man-made canals move water throughout the local farmland and keep the products growing at a hearty rate. These canals are sometimes a hazard for military vehicles that from time to time, overturn and become submerged in these waterways. But then Iraq has plenty of hazards, as one local boy found out when he injured his leg during a fall.

The team's medic took the time to treat this lad, another example of the good relations that take place between Iraqi nationals and military forces near Balad.

The next step in this patrol was a check of the local stores that sell the agricultural products. It is all part of maintaining security in this area.

The Iraqi's that the soldiers worked with on this day, allowed access to their buildings and supplies. The sheik complied with the requests place before him and the patrol ended with a successful inventory of the local merchants, many of whom are funded by U.S. business startup money.

The soldiers say the security allows most of these Iraqi's to live in peace and keep food on the table.

Tim King is a former U.S. Marine with twenty years of experience on the west coast as a television news producer, photojournalist, reporter and assignment editor. In addition to his role as a war correspondent, this Los Angeles native serves as Salem-News.com's Executive News Editor. Tim spent the winter of 2006/07 covering the war in Afghanistan, and he was in Iraq over the summer of 2008, reporting from the war while embedded with both the U.S. Army and the Marines.

Tim holds awards for reporting, photography, writing and editing, including the Silver Spoke Award by the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (2011), Excellence in Journalism Award by the Oregon Confederation of Motorcycle Clubs (2010), Oregon AP Award for Spot News Photographer of the Year (2004), First-place Electronic Media Award in Spot News, Las Vegas, (1998), Oregon AP Cooperation Award (1991); and several others including the 2005 Red Cross Good Neighborhood Award for reporting. Tim has several years of experience in network affiliate news TV stations, having worked as a reporter and photographer at NBC, ABC and FOX stations in Arizona, Nevada and Oregon. Tim was a member of the National Press Photographer's Association for several years and is a current member of the Orange County Press Club.

Serving the community in very real terms, Salem-News.com is the nation's only truly independent high traffic news Website. As News Editor, Tim among other things, is responsible for publishing the original content of 82 Salem-News.com writers. He reminds viewers that emails are easily missed and urges those trying to reach him, to please send a second email if the first goes unanswered. You can write to Tim at this address: newsroom@salem-news.com

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Vic September 26, 2008 7:13 am (Pacific time)

"Of all the enemies of public liberty, war is perhaps the most to be dreaded, because it comprises and develops the germ of every other." – James Madison

Henry Ruark September 22, 2008 11:37 am (Pacific time)

To all: Politics will always be politics, including such as Reid and his actions --and also similar in lots of situations from GOP, too. Understand and appreciate WV but if, as he says, his aimed at Reid-action,already obvious to any susceptible to that one point here. Do believe Tim's professional approach and expression in his story cannot help but build better appreciation, from each point of view we may hold here to what is actual truth as now demonstrated there. Fact remains: Attack in Iraq was needless war, preemptively triggered for neocon reasons, sold to American public by a straight-lie "marketing approach". Even with best of brotherly feeling mutual with WV, that is unvarnished truth, within wihich Tim's work stands out for its integrity and visual depth. That's function of ov'seas observer truthfully reporting to backhomers. What more do you want for your nickel ?

Vic September 22, 2008 7:12 am (Pacific time)

Wow....a resolution thanking the troops...ridiculous. How about a resolution thanking the sun for rising, or the wind for blowing? When was the last time we passed a resolution thanking mothers for mothering? Or teachers for teaching? Most everyone appreciates our soldiers and those who do not will not be moved by a resolution. Another example of fiddling while Rome burns...a waste of time and blatant showboating by Republicans (and Democrats) led by Likud/Independent Lieberman, whose only concern about the troops is that they continue to fight Israel's for them.

Tim King September 22, 2008 12:54 am (Pacific time)

War Veteran, I know it is very different from the earlier years, I just want to see the best outcome possible. Thanks very much for your service, few words can cover that.

War Veteran September 21, 2008 1:12 pm (Pacific time)

I did two tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan (173rd Airborne). My below post dealt with Senate Majority leader Reid preventing a vote on a simple resolution thanking miltary personnel for their service in Iraq. What this shows me is that the democrats have made it political because they do not want to go on record with a vote. Please recall that it was Sen. Durbin who called us war criminals and nazi's and Sen. Kerry who called us stupid, and many others in the democratic party who ridiculed us. I also know where you are and I assure you that because of what we did you are far safer than you would have been previously. Once again, it is not me making this a political issue, Reid and others have. Thanks for going over there and providing your reports. Too bad you did not go over at the start for comparison purposes. At any rate it has been a success so far and in time these people will figure out how to get along. Look at the murder and violence in the States, we sure haven't figured out how to get along after over 200 years.

Tim King September 21, 2008 12:37 pm (Pacific time)

War veteran, I am more than happy to acknowledge the success of the war but it is definetely not that simple, and I state that from a first-hand perspective. Paying former enemies to come across to your side is a strategy that will only work as long as you keep paying them. The money from some of the Sons of Iraq checkpoints is already being pulled back and a given percentage of these guys are only working with us temporarily. The 101st Airborne is due to move out of the base where I am located at Balad, and most of them do not think things will go well with a draw down. An Iraqi interpreter I have spent a good amount of time around believes a civil war will erupt between the Shiite and Sunni populations here and he predicts that it will be very bloody and tragic. He says the people of this part of the world need to be ruled with an iron hand, and that is why the country was a lot more stable before the invasion of the Coalition. So while there are triumphs and I support the people here fighting the war 110%, it seems the politics we are currently applying are not going to be the answer. I do not mean to rain on your parade, but this is not a GOP versus Democrat thing. The GOP wants to have this viewed as a success and I believe that this is partly true for the moment, but very temporary. Two times within the space of an hour this base was the subject of indirect attacks with soldiers and airmen scrambling for bomb shelters, that has never stopped here at Balad (Camp Anaconda) ever. Thanks for your input.

Henry Ruark September 20, 2008 10:02 am (Pacific time)

W-Vet et al:
Comnent appreciated and praise for those serving highly appropriate.
Fact is still fact. Iraq War is preemptive choice by imperial President, costing trillions and 4000-plus dead.
Rhetoric, praise, even "victory" --never defined by McCain, despite 100-year stay-promised--no substitute for what those young strengths would have provided nation now badly sabotaged in demanded change and progress here by ngoing costs when vets come home with wounds and mental agonies.
Your good participation here in support of troops points up precisely what is demanded for any 21st Century understanding needed for next steps to make sure "never happens again".

War Veteran September 20, 2008 9:07 am (Pacific time)

Even Barack Obama, who opposed the Iraq troop surge, has finally acknowledged its success. But some of his fellow Democrats in Congress apparently remain unconvinced. Earlier this week, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Armed Services Chairman Carl Levin teamed up to block a vote on a bipartisan resolution "recognizing the strategic success of the troop surge in Iraq" and thanking our men and women in uniform for their efforts. Citing General Petraeus by name, the resolution, which is sponsored by Independent Democrat Joe Lieberman and Republican Lindsey Graham, "commends and expresses the gratitude to the men and women of the United States Armed Forces for the service, sacrifices, and heroism that made the success of the troop surge in Iraq possible." The Senators had hoped to attach the resolution to a defense bill under consideration this week. But Mr. Reid wouldn't allow it. Democrats have often claimed that while they may oppose the war in Iraq, they wholeheartedly support the troops. That's a defensible position, and this resolution honoring our soldiers and Marines for a job well done gave them a chance to back up their rhetoric. Yet they still balked. (Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...

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Iraq: Land of Sheiks and Agriculture (VIDEO)

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