Posted on 07/27/2009 5:36:07 PM PDT by SandRat
591st Military Police Company Soldiers walk back to their vehicles after checking on the progress of their Iraqi Police counterparts at a checkpoint in western Baghdad, July 24. Photo by Staff Sgt. Mark Burrell, Multi-National Division – Baghdad.
BAGHDAD — Since Sovereignty Day, June 30, the Iraqi Security Forces have taken the lead, but the 591st Military Police Company (MPC) still has work to do here.
These U.S. MP continue to train their Iraqi Police (IP) counterparts to take over security on the outskirts of western Baghdad. To that end, the MP met with the IP yet again, July 24.
"Our mission hasn't changed," said Staff Sgt. Jonathan Romero, a squad leader with the 591st MPC. "There is still more PTT [Police Transition Team] training that we can do even though they've taken the lead."
According to Romero, the PTT mission is to help build tactical and technical skills in order to make the IP more proficient. In order to check their progress as a blossoming police station, the 591st MP frequently visit their IP counterparts.
During this visit, they asked the IP about what new weapons they've received, what investigations are ongoing, if they've detained anyone and if the Ministry of Interior has made any requests.
Romero noted that the amount of classes the IP have wanted to take has dropped since June 30, most likely because the IP thought the MP were supposed to have been gone.
"By talking to the station commanders, we have been able to slowly spread the word that the June 30 deadline only applied to the city and not the countryside, and we're still here to help them out as much as we can," explained 2nd Lt. Romeo Hizon, a platoon leader with the 591st MPC.
As soon as the MP arrived at the Walid IP station surrounded by farmers tending to their wheat fields, they were swarmed by excited IP asking, "Class? Class?" But, since it was Friday, the Iraqi officer-in-charge already had a mission to guard a mosque in his area.
"They are good," Lt. Ahmed Nejb Sfar, an IP patrol commander said about his Coalition partners. "When they come here, they help us and give my Policemen classes."
The classes, which include hand-to-hand combat, weapons maintenance, house clearing, vehicle searches and how to run traffic-control points are all something that will make the government stronger, he added.
"These MP have really helped our training, but we still need them," said Ahmed.
Hizon agreed, but added, "For the most part it's the minor details that are slowing them [IPs] down."
"Our role is, 'Hey, this is what we can do if you need our assistance,'" said Romero after playing a friendly game of dominoes in the IP station to try and strengthen ties with his Iraqi counterparts. "They do still need a little support from Coalition forces ... but as far as training goes and providing security for the community, they're good to go."
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