UCSB GLOBAL STUDIES PROGRAM RECEIVES IRAQ FLAG

December 3, 2004:

The Iraqi flag that once flew over the tank division of the headquarters of Saddam Hussein's Republican Guard in Tikrit Iraq now hangs in the global studies offices in UCSB. The flag was presented by Staff Sergeant Jeong Ko, a global studies major, to Prof Mark Juergensmeyer, director of Global and International Studies at UCSB at a reception for global studies majors.

SSG. Ko served in Tikrit with the US Army's 425th Civil Affairs Battalion in Tikrit. His unit was stationed in Saddam Hussein's former Presidential Palace, where it was responsible for efforts to restore disrupted communications, electricity, and other essential infrastructure after the initial US invasion in 2003. His unit was also responsible for helping to restore hospitals, schools and banking services for the local population.

SSG. Ko has returned to his studies as a global studies major at UCSB. He was enrolled in Prof Juergensmeyer's Fall class on global conflict where he provided insight on the ongoing conflict in Iraq.

SSG. Jeong H. Ko with a child in Tikrit, Iraq