BAGHDAD, Iraq – Cooperation between Iraqi and Coalition forces continues to yield results, expanding Iraqi manpower while reducing terrorist capabilities in Iraq.
In western al Anbar Province, Iraqi and U.S Forces wrapped up Operation Al Asad (Lion) March 4. The five-day operation sought out anti-Iraqi forces attempting to hide along the Euphrates River.
Iraqi Army Soldiers, supported by U.S. troops from Regimental Combat Team-7, uncovered 80 weapons and munitions caches, a total of more than 62 tons of material, significantly reducing the number of weapons and munitions available to anti-Iraqi forces. Two insurgents were killed and 65 suspected insurgents were detained as a result of the operation.
Col. W. Blake Crowe, commanding officer of RCT-7, said local citizens expressed appreciation of the military forces. “I spoke with one man and he invited us in for cold water,” said Col. Crowe. “He invited us back and said his village welcomed our presence.”
In Baghdad, Iraqi and Coalition Forces detained eight suspects in a joint operation March 11.
Iraqi forces led the joint operation and discovered several rooftop fighting positions, AK-47s and Molotov cocktails.
Four men were detained at the Al Khayr Mosque Complex, which military officials identified as a possible Al Qaeda in Iraq safe haven. Four others were detained from other sites raided during this operation.
The detainees are suspected of kidnapping, manufacturing car bombs, and financing and supporting terrorists.
Successful operations like these demonstrate the effectiveness of training Iraqi Soldiers receive from Coalition Military Transition Teams. The MiTTs train their Iraqi counterparts daily, providing them the knowledge and confidence required to secure and stabilize their country.
More than 130 Iraqi Army Soldiers from the 8th Iraqi Army Division recently completed a two-week training cycle instituted by a MiTT from the 4 th Infantry Division’s 3 rd Battalion, 16 th Field Artillery Regiment.
Normally MiTTs train units from the Iraqi Army and those graduates refine their skills on their own. This MiTT took a different approach.
The team trained only the Iraqi officers and noncommissioned officers, who in turn took over the role of instructing the rest of their battalion. The training team continued to observe the course, and was available for guidance, but the real training was conducted by Iraqi Army leaders.
“This was a real test for the leadership abilities of the [Iraqi] officers and NCOs,” said Capt. Christopher Waddell, commander of the MiTT. “We gave the leaders the chance to lead and, without hesitation, they took command of their soldiers.”
A small graduation ceremony commemorated the accomplishments of the soldiers as senior Iraqi Army leaders commended them for their eagerness to learn, and recognized six of them for exceptional performance.
“The success of this IA training marks another step in the path towards an independent Iraq,” said Iraqi Maj. Jasim Abadi al Salawi. “As the IA moves forward, so do the Iraqi people and soon we will reclaim our stake in a prosperous and free Iraq.”
The Iraqi Police force is also growing, gaining 55 new graduates from the Iraqi Police Basic Skills course at the Hammam Al Alil Recruit Training Center March 9.
The graduation marks the successful integration of Iraqi police recruits at the center, which usually trains Iraqi Army recruits. This is the first combined Iraqi Security Forces Regional Training Center.
“The partnership of the Iraqi Police and the Iraqi Army is critical to the future of Iraq,” said Lt. Col. John Norris, commander of the 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, who attended the event.
Iraqi police Maj. Gen. Wathiq addressed the class and recognized the Honor Graduates and Distinguished Graduate with gifts and graduation certificates.
“I want to tell the terrorists that we grow stronger day after day and our IP’s are now fully equipped to stand against any force that wants to disrupt peace in Iraq,” said Maj. Gen. Wathiq.
(Compiled from Official DoD Sources)
Some silly links: http://www.beecy.net/frank/
Other humour: http://www.glumbert.com/media/rave.html
And if that offends you, well deal with this: Its In The Koran Good News From Iraq
War on Terror
MNF Iraq
0 people have spoken:
Post a Comment