Progress in Iraq: Radio Station Opens Doors

Most news stories coming out of Iraq are filled with the grisly details of life in a savage combat environment. But in the middle of the bullets, the bombs, and the blood, progress is being made. The story of the Al Noor radio station is an example of some aspects of life are slowly returning to normal in the country once ruled by dictator Saddam Hussein.

Known as "The Light," the Al Noor radio station in Balad Ruz, Iraq was recently opened by the local government. On hand for the festivities were members of the Iraqi Army the Iraqi Police, and the 5-73 Cavalry Regiment of the United States Army's famed 82d Airborne Division.

City Mayor Mohammed Maroof al-Hussein was quoted by an Army journalist from Multi-National Force-Iraq as saying, "This is a great day for Balad Ruz and its people." "I think this is a new stage for our city and a new way to serve our people."

Army Specialist Ryan Stroud, 3d Brigade Combat Team, 1^st Cavalry Division, reported on the radio station opening while deployed to Iraq as part of the U.S. military. In his report, Stroud quoted Captain John Pratt of the Company B, 404^th Civil Affairs unit, who had a hand in getting the station opened. "This is a free station," Pratt said. "The people can say what they want, they can speak freely."

The Al Noor radio station was set up to provide coalition forces with a communications means for countering the efforts of insurgents in the area. As Captain Pratt says, "I remember the first night we were here at Forward Operating Base Caldwell and hearing an Iranian broadcast in English to target American Soldiers." "These terrorists were getting their message out, but the people here didn't have a way to get their message out."

Pratt went on to say, "This is a pro-government radio station that counters what terrorists are saying." "It also lets the people know what the coalition forces are doing in their area to help them."