Former local resident joining Iraq security unit

By JOHN MUNFORD
jmunford@TheCitizenNews.com

Former Peachtree City resident Fred Wellman, who abandoned a campaign for mayor in 2001 to rejoin the military and fight the war on terrorism, is yet again taking a more active role in the war.

Originally head of a helicopter unit running rescue and other special operations, Wellman is now heading back to Baghdad to join the Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq. The command's role is to equip, man and train all of the Iraqi Security Forces, which U.S. officials have said are key to bolstering the security of the country enough for the U.S. to step back its military efforts in the country.

Iraqi security forces often find themselves the target of insurgent attacks, but Wellman isn't too worried about possibly being in harm's way.

"I don't know about being in the line of fire, but I will be out a lot so I suppose there is that opportunity," Wellman said in an e-mail interview this week. "I am not too concerned about that. You just can't think about those things and still accomplish the mission."

Wellman will take media representatives to visit Iraqi security units in the field, letting them go on patrol with the Iraqis and find out "how brave these guys really are and what they are doing for their country," Wellman said.

Wellman took a recent trip to Mosul, visiting his old stomping grounds, so to speak, from the earlier part of the campaign. He was able to contact a former sheik he worked with who is now a battalion commander in the Iraqi Army.

"It was a fascinating trip, seeing the Iraqi Security Forces up close and personal for the first time, and I was actually pretty impressed by the level of professionalism and passion I witnessed under incredibly tough circumstances and minimal resources," Wellman wrote in the e-mail. "Best of all, I was able to see how my old friend Sheik Raad and his U.S. partner unit are giving the terrorists a really hard time in his area. I came back feeling good about what is happening around our old base up north."

Earlier in the war, Wellman's friends in Peachtree City started a well-received campaign to provide school items and other supplies to Iraqi residents in the area where Wellman was stationed. Wellman recently followed up with on of his unit's last projects that went unfinished: the construction of a chicken house for the area. A chat with the American commander about it led to the project being completed, with a projection of the house creating 40 jobs and over $4,000 a month for the area.

"So, I guess it's possible to still help the people of my old area in some small ways," Wellman said.

Wellman particularly acknowledged the support from his wife, Crystal, who is taking care of the family's stateside obligations as are many other military spouses, learning to make do with just one adult running the whole family ship.

"To say I owe Crystal is an understatement of a lifetime," Wellman said. "None of the things I do could be done without my family being so supportive and believing in me. Crystal is the absolute bedrock of my soul and I would not be the man I am if I did not have her back home taking care of our family."

(Anyone with information about local service members or civilians serving in Iraq or the region may contact jmunford@TheCitizenNews.com.)


		Friday, Apr. 15, 2005