CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE WARRIOR, Iraq -- Members of United States Division -- North and the 1st Kurdish Regional Guard Brigade met to discuss the future of security in the Kirkuk province, Aug. 24.
"We talked about a number of issues around the security checkpoints and how important it is for the 1st RGB to assume more responsibility," said Maj. Colin Williams, primary advisor to the 1st RGB and member of 1st Advise and Assist Task Force, 1st Infantry Division. "Not only logistically but operationally and physically, especially since American advisors and Soldiers on the ground are leaving."
Williams is the primary advisor to Kurdish Brig. Gen. Shirko Fatih Shwani, commander of the 1st RGB.
Brigadier General Jeffrey Bailey, deputy commanding general -- maneuver, 4th Infantry Division and USD -- N, also attended the meeting.
"We set up a good plan for the Eid after Ramadan to protect the civilians," said Shirko.
Eid is a two-day Muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan.
There are a total of eight RGBs in the Kurdistan Regional Government, said Williams, a native of Binghamton, N.Y.
"Here, in Kirkuk province, there is only one (RGB). It (was) the first to set up and it is the best-equipped and most manned unit," Williams said.
U.S. forces have transitioned from manning checkpoints.
"The American forces have (transitioned control) and the Combined Security Forces will be manning the checkpoints for the foreseeable future," Williams said.
The CSF includes the Iraqi Army, Iraqi Police and the Kurdish Regional Guards.
"Their main focus is securing Iraq from external enemies," Williams said. "There are internal enemies, which the RGB faces and addresses, but for their focus the real threat is external forces."
The RGB's goal is peace and security, said Williams.
"We are exchanging ideas and also (making) a good plan to protect the civilians from (violent extremist network) attacks," Shirko said.
All attendees agreed that these meetings should happen frequently to maintain a good relationship between the KRG and U.S. forces.
"Fortunately, I can say that it was a very good meeting," Shirko said. "I am sure we will have very good results."
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