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Iraqi warriors ready to train their own

AL HILLAH, Iraq -- More than 20 Iraqi Soldiers graduated from the Advanced Warrior Skills Training Program Jan. 30 in al Hillah. Iraqi Army soldiers, under the tutelage of Coalition Forces, are learning advanced warrior skills equivalent to those taught in the U.S. Army’s Primary Leadership Development Course.

In the previous Iraqi regime, only army officers received military training while noncommissioned officers and their soldiers received no formal training.

The program equips Iraqi NCOs with tools to further train their soldiers, said Sgt. 1st Class Charles Carrasco, head trainer, Troop C, 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. “It’s basically a train-the-trainer program.”

The four-week program educated Iraqi soldiers on individual and small-unit tactics. Other training focused on improvised explosive devices, tactical control points, building clearing and land navigation.

After three weeks of intense “Sabers and Scimitars” training, the soldiers were challenged with practical exercises to test their new-found knowledge. The training culminated with a live-fire exercise involving room clearing and close-quarters combat.

The graduates will immediately put their new-found skills to the test when they begin training soldiers from 1st Company.

“It is our ambition to be the ones who defended our country and got rid of terrorism in Iraq,” said Iraqi infantryman 2nd Lt. Mowafak Hussain. “We are eager to apply this training to the rest of our battalion so that we all can fight the enemy as one great unit.”

Insurgents found guilty of illegal border crossing and possession of illegal weapons

BAGHDAD, Iraq—The Central Criminal Court of Iraq held four trials last week convicting four security detainees for various crimes including possession of illegal weapons and illegal border crossing.

In the first case, Coalition Security Forces apprehended Khalid Ahmad Wayiss after conducting a combined raid with the Iraqi Army on his home, based on information received from an informant indicating the detainee was participating in Anti-Iraqi Forces / Anti-Coalition Forces activities Sept. 16, 2005. The Iraqi Army searched the detainee’s home and discovered one AK-47 and one sniper rifle with a scope. The Iraqi Army took the detainee into custody for possession of an illegal weapon and immediately turned the detainee over to Coalition Forces. On Feb. 1, the Court found Khalid Ahmad Wayiss guilty of possession of illegal weapons and sentenced him to two (2) years imprisonment and a fine of 50,000 Iraqi Dinars.

In the second case, Iraqi border guards captured Hassan Omar Ramadan Khalaf trying to cross the border from Iraq into Syria between border stations Oct. 8, 2005. The detainee is Syrian and had no paperwork allowing him to be in Iraq. Hassan Omar Ramadan Khalaf admits he entered into Iraq illegally. On Feb. 1, the Court found Hassan Omar Ramadan Khalaf guilty of violating Article 10/1/A, illegal border crossing, and sentenced him to three years imprisonment.

In the third case, Coalition Security Forces apprehended Talib Ibrahim Hamed after searching his home and finding illegal weapons Sept. 9, 2005. Coalition Security Forces found a rocket, two RPG boosters, two hand grenades, and several AK-47 rounds located three meters from the home. On Feb. 1, the Court found Talib Ibrahim Hamed guilty of illegal possession of special weapons and sentenced him to seven years imprisonment.

In the fourth case, Coalition Security Forces apprehended Salman Hazim Obaid for possessing illegal weapons April 3, 2005. Coalition Forces found three AK-47 rifles with numerous ammunition magazines, three long rifles, one RPK machinegun, one 9mm sub-machinegun with five ammunition magazines, two drums full of ammunition, 12 boxes of armor piercing ammunition, IED materials and 75 feet of wire inside his home. On Feb 1, the Court found Salman Hazim Obaid guilty of illegal possession of special weapons and sentenced him to one year imprisonment (with credit for time served).

Upon conviction, all defendants are turned over to the Iraqi Corrections Service to serve their sentences.

To date, the CCCI has held 860 trials of insurgents suspected of anti-Iraqi and anti-Coalition activities threatening the security of Iraq and targeting Multi-National Force-Iraq. These proceedings have resulted in 761 individual convictions with sentences ranging up to 30 years imprisonment.

Change of command in MNDCS

CAMP ECHO, Iraq -- Maj. Gen. Piotr Czerwinski relinquished command of Multinational-Division Central-South to Maj. Gen. Edward Gruszka in a ceremony at Camp Echo in Diwaniah Feb. 4.

Commanding General, Multinational Forces – Iraq Gen. George W. Casey attended the transfer of authority along with the Polish Ambassador to Iraq Ryszard Krystosik. Commanding General, Multinational Corps – Iraq Lt. Gen. Peter W. Ciarelli also attended.

Distinguished guests included Commanding General of Iraqi Land Forces Lt. Gen. Abdul Qadir, Commander of 8th Iraqi Army Division, Maj Gen Othman Ali Ferhood, representatives of Diwaniyah, Kut and Babil provinces authorities, Iraqi brigade commanders and chiefs of Iraqi police as well tribal leaders.

”I want to say sincerely thank you to the Governors of Diwaniayh , Kut and Babil provinces, to the heads of the Iraqi police and other public institutions. Thank you for the support you have given to our force. Thank you that you have accepted and supported our mission,” Czerwinski said.

The new MNDCS Commander thanked Czerwinski and his subordinates for their professional service.

“I am certain that although Division consists of twelve nations - we are and we will be ‘One mission, one team’. We will do our best to be a reliable chain of Multinational Corps and all Coalition Forces in Iraq,“ Gruszka said.

Gruszka said a common effort will result in a high level of training and tasks execution for the 8th Iraqi Division, Iraqi Police, Border Police and will bring a higher level of living for Iraqi people from al Diwaniyah and Kut provinces.

The key priority of MNDCS staff will be cooperation with the 8th Iraqi Army Division for the training and development its combat capabilities.

Detainees released following CRRB review

BAGHDAD, Iraq — About 50 male detainees were released from the Theater Internment Facilities Feb. 5. The Combined Review and Release Board reviewed their cases and recommended release.

The Iraqi-led CRRB, established in August 2004, consists of members from the Ministries of Human Rights, Justice and Interior, as well as officers from the Multi-National Forces.

To date, the board has reviewed the cases of more than 27,200 detainees, recommending more than 14,300 individuals for release.

Iraqi, U.S. troops aid flood victims

TIKRIT, Iraq – Iraqi and U.S. Soldiers rescued dozens of people southeast of Mosul Feb. 4 after powerful storms swept through northern Iraq, causing flooding along a Tigris River tributary.

Soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 2nd Iraqi Army Division used small boats and braved strong currents to rescue nearly 100 people stranded on small islands in the rain-swollen Great Zab River.

Two UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters from the 542nd Medical Company (Air Ambulance) responded to the Ninevah Governor’s request for assistance and transported two men stranded on an island that the boats couldn’t reach because of the current. The MEDEVAC crews also dropped off food and drinking water.

Two OH-58 Kiowa helicopters searched the river’s course for additional victims, but none were found.

101st Abn. Div., 4th Inf. Div. Soldiers detain suspected terrorists

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Multi-National Division-Baghdad’s 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, detained a suspected terrorist Feb. 2 south of Baghdad.

Acting on a tip from a local national, a patrol searched the suspect’s house and found a mortar sight and possible bomb-making materials.

In a separate incident, 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division Soldiers detained two suspects in connection with the detonation of two roadside bombs southeast of Baghdad Feb. 2.

The suspects had spotting scopes and bomb-initiating timers in their possession.

Finally a cool cartoon I found that sums up the sniveling coward Jack "Man of" Straw. Yes never mind the fact they blew up our citizens in London, never mind they held a demo and broke UK hate laws and were not arrested - the only arrests were to white chaps with copies of the cartoons! We even had some islamoloon walking about at the demo dressed up like a suicide bomber, and what happens? Nothing.

Never mind the fact our citizens are outraged at the muslims saying another 7/7 is on its way and threatening to behead any who dare to disagree with them, you just sit there and grovel before them.

New Labour = New Cowardice.

I wonder what the coward Jack Straws reply will be to the Islamoscum who have put out cartoons showing Anne Frank in bed with Adolf Hitler? Oh of course as its muslim they will ignore it. Link to this story here: islamoscum cartoon story

They post it as some sort of "revenge" against the Mohammed cartoons and yet it doesnt even have anything to do with the Danes, its just the old jew hating we have come to expect from the intolerant religion of peace.

Finally I have put a link to the Support Denmark site on the sidebar.

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