Sioux city federal prosecutor returns from duty in iraq
fourth member of u.S. attorney's office to service in iraq in last five years
Contact: Peter Deegan
A federal prosecutor who spent more than 14 months in Iraq as a Deputy Justice Attaché and Special Deputy United States Marshal has returned to his duties as an Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) in Sioux City, Iowa.
AUSA Forde Fairchild is the fourth attorney from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa to serve in Iraq since the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom, which was succeeded by Operation New Dawn on September 1, 2010.
Fairchild served six months at the United States Embassy in Baghdad where he helped investigate crimes being considered for prosecution in the United States even though they occurred outside the United States. He also helped the Government of Iraq increase the security of its investigative and trial officers and improve its use of modern forensic evidence in criminal investigations and trials.
The latter part of Fairchild’s time in Iraq was served primarily at forward military operating bases outside of Baghdad. There, he worked closely with United States and Iraqi military and civilian criminal justice agencies to use the Iraqi Criminal Justice System to disrupt or dismantle terrorist organizations that posed a threat to the Government of Iraq and the United States.
Both in Baghdad and throughout Iraq, Fairchild went daily into the “Red Zone.” To minimize the risks of these trips, Fairchild traveled in armored convoys with a personal security detail. At other times, he was escorted by a military unit in which he was imbedded. He often had to travel in mine resistant armored personal carriers or striker armored personal carriers. By getting out into the field, Fairchild forged strong partnerships with Iraqi law enforcement professionals and helped them use the Iraqi criminal justice system to fight the counter-insurgency.
[photo at http://www.justice.gov/usao/ian/press/Dec_10/FOF.pdf]
“Serving my country in this war-torn place was the single most difficult but meaningful contribution I have ever made to something larger than myself,” said Fairchild. “I saw terrorists attack every aspect of the justice system, and this further emphasized how crucial the rule of law is to the stability and success of any society. I got the chance to help the Iraqis respond to daily life and death challenges, and this more than made up for any personal inconveniences I faced.”
United States Attorney Stephanie M. Rose expressed admiration for and pride in Fairchild’s service. “Forde went above and beyond ordinary public service in taking a position far from his family and the daily comforts we take for granted. He was willing to place himself in danger and make great personal sacrifices to help people who are desperately trying to help themselves. His efforts have been recognized by the Justice Attaché in Baghdad as being ‘a shining example of what can be accomplished by a motivated, talented Assistant United States Attorney."
