The Lone Voice

Iraqi army recruits graduate from basic training

CAMP TAJI, Iraq – A new crop of trained soldiers joined the ranks of the 9th Iraqi Army Division (Mechanized) after completing basic training Feb. 21 at the Taji Training Center.

At a ceremony filled with fanfare, pageantry and British drill and ceremony, 83 new Jundis (privates) graduated from the five-week basic training academy here.

“I order you, brave sons of the great Iraq, to strike with an iron fist anyone who would dare disturb the security of your country,” Iraqi Capt. Hamed Baker, the assistant commander of the Taji Training Center, charged the new graduates in the commencement speech. “You are to be the shield against terrorists. Congratulations for this. Your honor will be mentioned in our history for many years to come.”

A number of distinguished guests were on hand to view the ceremony, including Iraqi Col. Alla Ahmed, post commander for Camp Taji. Ahmed presented certificates to four expert marksmen, recognizing their accomplishment.

“We started the basic training class with 86 personnel,” explained Staff Sgt. Michael Munoz, the operations sergeant for the basic training academy, “but we finished with 83. Almost all of the training was conducted by the Iraqi army instructors.” Soon the academy will be turned over completely to the Iraqi army.

The Jundis, new recruits, have done a lot of things that they had never seen before and learned to do things outside the base, such as manning check points and clearing rooms. They also learned first aid tasks, rifle marksmanship, and drill and ceremony.

“All these graduates belong to the 9th Iraqi Army Division,” said Sgt. 1st Class Marvin Green, the noncommissioned officer in charge of the basic training academy. After the graduation ceremony, the new graduates check into their units. Afterward, they go on leave to spend some time with their families.

One of the Jundis commented afterwards that he was thankful for completing the training and that he’s happy now and is looking forward to going home to see his family.

Another of the Jundis said the recruits thank everybody in the academy for the excellent training from the instructors and great experience they received from the American advisors.

In closing, Ibraheem thanked many who had supported the basic training academy. “A special thanks to the Americans for giving us unlimited support.”

More than 150 Iraqi Soldiers graduate from academy

FORWARD OPERATING BASE CONSTITUTION, Iraq – More than 150 3rd Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division Soldiers stood proudly at attention Feb. 5 to receive their graduation confirmation following six weeks of grueling training.

The soldiers had just completed the Iraqi Army’s new basic training course and are amongst the first training cycles to graduate from the academy here.

The basic training course was run completely by the Iraqi Army, but a U.S. Military Transition Team was available for guidance when needed.

Lt. Col. Hazim Abdel, executive officer for the Iraqi brigade, said he is proud of his new soldiers and that more recruits are on their way.

“These men felt very lazy before joining the army because many of them did not feel like they had a purpose before,” he said. “Now they feel that they are doing something important by protecting their great country of Iraq. Soon we will have another group coming for the next cycle.”

“It was interesting to see how the (Iraqis) do their ceremonies and how they conduct their training,” said Sgt. 1st Class David Larson, MiTT, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, who is also a former Army drill sergeant. “It’s a once in a lifetime experience.”

Sgt. James Bates, also with the MiTT, said the team is on hand for both training and in real-life combat situations. The team is comprised of Soldiers from each battalion of 1st Bde. and several other units.

“We are there with them, but they operate in their own battle space without U.S. assistance,” he said. “We provide them with things, such as logistical support and making sure they do proper reporting of what is going on in their area of operations.”

The Iraqi Soldiers improved their physical stamina by running three kilometers each day and conducting combatives classes throughout their 1.5 month of soldier-skills training.

“We’ve given the Soldiers very intensive lessons to help them while they conduct military duties,” said Lt. Col. Hausim Hameed, commanding officer of training for the brigade. “I think that they will have great roles protecting their country when they join their new units soon.”

Hameed added that his troops also mastered marksmanship, learned tactics and techniques for fighting in an urban environment and basic medical treatment procedures.

Anwar Yass, a new graduate, said he felt that the training he received was comprehensive.

“They taught us many basic things about the military,” said Yass. “We knew nothing about this type of lifestyle in civilian life. We overcame all of the difficulties that faced us, and I am ready to work at any unit I am assigned to. I am happy to fight the terrorists and serve my country.”

CAMP BUTLER, Iraq – Iraqi soldiers of the 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Tank Brigade, 9th Iraqi Army Division, conducted a tank gunner range here Feb. 16-21.

The range served to certify the tankers on T-72 Main Battle Tank, who fired 125mm rounds with pinpoint precision on a designated target a mile away.

As the rounds exploded, “We have been in training for two months to become a tanker in the new Iraqi army,” said Ramn Abis, an Iraqi tanker who recently qualified on the T-72 to help his country fight against terrorists. “After this, we have a duty to go down to the units and catch terrorists.”

The tanker school taught Iraqi soldiers a variety of skills, such as communications, driving the tanks, shooting the T-72’s arsenal of weapons and how to deal with terrorists. The course was two months long and concluded with the tank gunnery exercise. The class was taught by the 2nd Tank. Bn., Military Transition Team, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.

“These guys are great, and there are a lot of young ones who are really trying hard,” said Maj. Scott Davis, Military Transition Team. “We are here grading them to see how they do. These guys are really proud of these tanks.”

The 1st BCT is working closely with soldiers of the 9th IA Div. to teach, coach and mentor them. The Taji-based Iraqi division is composed of three heavy tank brigades, each consisting of almost 4,000 soldiers.

Two of the brigades are already patrolling the area, fighting the terrorists and detaining suspected criminals either by themselves or with some American support. The third brigade is scheduled to be fully operational in the next couple of months after Iraqi cadets complete basic training to fill its ranks.

The goal of the 1st BCT is to have the 9th IA Div. fully functional and taking control of the 1st BCT battle space. To accomplish this goal, the Iraqis are taking the lead in every operation. In addition, military transition teams are assigned to work hand-in-hand with the Iraqis to mentor key leaders within the Iraqi command group staff.

Iraqi tanker school is just another example of military transition teams teaching the soldiers of the Iraqi army to better themselves so they can defend themselves.

“I have done this for years, so it was easy for me,” said Abis, who has been a tanker for 32 years. “We have the same technology today. But before, we didn’t have the same clear orders. Now we practice and we go to school a lot. We are much better than we were in the past.”

Minefield cleared with help from local man

TIKRIT, Iraq – Iraqi and coalition Soldiers cleared a previously unknown minefield Feb. 23 near Tikrit thanks to a tip from a local man.

The Soldiers from the 1st Brigade, 4th Iraqi Army Division and the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division were searching the area for weapons caches when they came across the man and were guided to the minefield.
Thirty anti-personnel mines were unearthed and destroyed at the site, along with two rifles and a large quantity of machine gun ammunition also discovered during the mission.

Iraqi security forces and coalition units receive tips about weapons caches and terrorist activities from Iraqi civilians almost every day. These tips have led to the seizure of hundreds of weapons and have helped take numerous terror suspects off the streets.

Citizens who help their nation by providing these types of tips may qualify for substantial rewards.

Iraqi citizen’s tip helps IA, MNB-D Soldiers

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Soldiers from Multi-National Division – Baghdad’s 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, responded to an Iraqi citizen’s tip Feb. 23 and found a roadside bomb east of An Najaf.

The shape-charge bomb was encased in Styrofoam and was pointing towards a road.

Iraqi police and an Iraqi Explosive Ordnance Disposal team arrived on the scene.

The team defused the bomb to nullify the threat.

Elsewhere, two Iraqi soldiers were wounded Feb 23 when a terrorist’s mortar shell impacted northwest of Baghdad at approximately 2:30 p.m.

Both Iraqi soldiers were medically evacuated to Multi-National Division – Baghdad’s 10th Combat Support Hospital for treatment.

MOSUL — On the east side of the Tigris River, Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 4th Brigade, 2nd Iraqi Army Division, perform routine patrols from Combat Outpost Resolve.

Serving alongside Iraqi Soldiers, a U.S. Military Transition Team lives with the 4th Bde. to mentor and train the officers of the Iraqi Army.

“It has been a very rewarding experience to live with the Iraqi Army. “It's a great pleasure
to work with them, to learn their culture,” said Capt. Jesse Bell, a MiTT officer. “They have courage and want a free Iraq.”

These IA Soldiers make me feel proud to be with them, it shows a lot of heart and courage to go out without alot of the equipment we have, said Capt. Michael Pregent, an intelligence officer working with 3rd Battalion, 4th Brigade, 2nd Iraqi Army.

“It makes you stand taller in our turret when we are out with them. They are very professional and courageous.”

“We don't make a lot of money, but I did not join for money,” said one Iraqi Soldier. “I joined to preserve my country, and to make Iraq a safe place for all the people and safe from terrorists.”

One obstacle facing the Iraqi Army is a working relationship with the Iraqi Police. This has been a constant struggle for the MiTT's, but the relationship is improving by getting both organizations to sit down and talk. The 4th Brigade's mission is to quell insurgency in their area of operation, and that means working hand-in-hand with the Iraqi Police to keep the citizens of Mosul safe.