Free Republic

WASHINGTON [MENL] -- Iraq's security forces, ordered to prepare for an offensive against the Mahdi Army in Najaf, have been plagued by a desertion rate that exceeded 80 percent. A U.S. report warned that Iraqi Interior Ministry troops remain unprepared to fight Shi'ite or Sunni insurgents and could not be deemed reliable. The report, published before the current showdown in Najaf, said the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps, renamed the Iraqi National Guard, has not been trained to fight insurgents armed with rocket-propelled grenades and heavy weapons. "Effective Iraqi security forces are critical for transitioning security responsibilities to Iraq," the Government...

KHARABRUD, Iraq, June 25, 2004 — It had to be an exciting day for the people of this small village when soldiers of Task Force 2-11 Field Artillery, 96th Civil Affairs Battalion and the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps came here May 31. It was a day of two significant ceremonies for the village and its surrounding communities, as a new health clinic was opened and a ground breaking ceremony was held to mark the start of construction on a new elementary school.

Iraqi Security Forces Open the First JCC in Northern IraqStory by Task Force OlympiaMOSUL, IRAQ – The Iraqi Security Forces in the Ninevah Province increased their ability to protect Iraqi citizens and to react to emergencies, when they opened the first Joint Coordination Center in northern Iraq June 23. All security operations will operate from the Mosul JCC where a representative from every security force element will be stationed to facilitate coordination. Representatives from the Iraqi National Guard, Iraqi Police, Facility Protection Services and Iraqi Armed Forces will be stationed at the JCC to efficiently fight crime and terrorism....

CAMP INDIA, Iraq(June 20, 2004) -- There aren't any of the famed yellow footprints, but Iraqis are learning the basics of soldiering, courtesy of the U.S. Marines. More than 30 Iraqi men, 18-to-37-years-old from the city of Zadan, got their first taste of the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps boot camp. The seven-day basic training package is taught by Marines. The first day of boot camp began with a speech from the commanding officer before the recruits are introduced to their drill instructors - Marines ranging in rank from privates first class to sergeants. "I respect you for what you're doing...

BAGHDAD (AFP) - Iraqi prime minister Iyad Allawi announced a dramatic overhaul of the country's defence structure, vowing to deploy all security forces, including the army, in the fight against insurgents. Allawi said a new command and control structure would streamline the country's defences, with top officials reporting directly to him. The premier also announced the formation of an elite military unit to do battle with the insurgents and stem unrest which has killed more than 200 people since his interim government was unveiled on June 1. "I have directed that the immediate priority is to establish an effective Iraqi...

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- A sport-utility vehicle packed with artillery shells slammed into a crowd of people waiting to volunteer Thursday for the Iraqi military, killing at least 35 people and wounding 138, the Iraqi Health Ministry said. A U.S. military officer said the bombing was believed to be a suicide attack. U.S. Army Col. Mike Murray said none of the recruits was among the casualties. But survivors and Iraqi officials said many of the victims had gone to the center to volunteer for the government security force. Capt. Hani Hussein of the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps said about 100 volunteers...

BAGHDAD, Iraq - A sport-utility vehicle packed with artillery shells blew up Thursday in a crowd of people waiting to volunteer for the Iraqi military, killing at least 35 and wounding 138. Another car bomb north of the capital killed six members of the Iraqi security forces. The explosion in Baghdad, the deadliest attack since a bombing outside another recruiting center in February, was part of a surge of attacks on U.S. coalition forces and their Iraqi allies ahead of the transfer of sovereignty to Iraqis on June 30. The blast scattered bodies and debris across a four-lane highway outside...

Survivors rushed to help passing drivers caught in the blast At least 25 people have been killed in a car bomb attack at an Iraqi army recruitment centre in western Baghdad. The car, packed with artillery shells, blew up at the gates of the centre, housed in an old airport. The blast was heard throughout the city. According to reports the car drove into a crowd of about 100 people queuing to volunteer, before exploding. Debris was scattered along a four-lane highway. At least one shell could be seen lying on the blood-stained road. Some 70 people have been...

A strong explosion shook Thursday morning the center of Baghdad and a smoke escaped close to the building which sheltered the old Iraqi Parliament, noted a journalist of the AFP. The American army did not have immediate information on the nature of the explosion. Previously several series of explosions were heard in the night and at dawn in Baghdad, without making damage apparently, according to American military sources which gave a report on controlled "explosions "of ammunition.

Two Sides to the Picture in Iraq Wednesday, June 16, 2004 By David Asman STORIES BACKGROUND ARCHIVE With all the stories of Iraqi soldiers refusing to fight, you may have missed this story buried deep inside the news cycle. Two weeks ago, U.S. Marines and members of the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps (search) were on a joint patrol near Fallujah when they were ambushed from the rear. As a Marine was cut down, his Iraqi partners closed ranks around the downed Marine and began returning fire. They did not try to run away from the line of fire. They stayed...

Submitted by: 1st Marine Division Story Identification #: 200461633050 CAMP INDIA, Iraq(June 11, 2004) -- Five Iraqi Civil Defense Corps soldiers were decorated by Marines for bravery under fire during a ceremony June 11. Col. John R. Toolan, commander for Regimental Combat Team 1 awarded two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals and three Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals to the Iraqi soldiers. The soldiers were cited for braving enemy fire to aid Marines in a May 30 clash. The awards included "V" devices for valor. Marine infantrymen and their Iraqi counterparts jointly walked the beat at Kharma May...

  First Sea Lord Opens the Iraqi Coastal Defense Force UMM QASR, Iraq -- The rebuilding of Iraq took another step forward June 12 as the newly formed Iraqi Coastal Defense Force took control of its assets at Umm Qasr naval base. British, American, Australian and Dutch naval personnel have been training the Iraqi Coastal Defense Force since January. Iraqi officials and numerous military dignitaries presided over the ceremony. The handover include giving the Iraqi Coastal Defense Force five fast patrol boats and 10 rigid inflatable boats. The ICDF will police the Iraqi coastline and territorial waters out to...

Top Marine Corps commanders in Iraq bestowed valor awards June 11 upon five Iraqi Civil Defense Corps soldiers credited with saving the life of a Marine when their joint patrol was ambushed in May. The awards, two Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medals and three Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medals — all with combat “V”s — were presented by Maj. Gen. James N. Mattis, commander of the 1st Marine Division, and Col. John Toolan, who commands Regimental Combat Team 1. According to award citations provided by 1st Marine Division, the Iraqi riflemen and members of Charlie and Bravo companies, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine...

    1st Infantry Division Graduates Iraqi Leadership Class, Dedicates Training Center TIKRIT, Iraq - Members of the 1st Infantry Division, local dignitaries and other guests were on hand June 10 for an Iraqi Civil Defense Corps Primary Leadership Development Course graduation ceremony. The class was the first to graduate from the newly opened North Central ICDC Regional Training Center at Forward Operating Base Danger. After the graduation, the facility was dedicated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The new facility will also host basic training for ICDC soldiers. Maj. Gen. John R.S. Batiste, commander of the 1st ID and Task...

            Headhunters Sweat it out on the Streets of BaghdadStory and photos by Spc. Jan Critchfield122nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment      BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Grab your body armor, lock and load, and come along for the ride. Jump in the back of a Bradley fighting vehicle, and join the men of Forward Operating Base Headhunter on one of their regular—and dangerous—foot patrols through the streets of Central Baghdad.     Engaging the citizens of Baghdad in conversation and scanning every rooftop for threatening silhouettes, Soldiers of Task Force 1/9 “Headhunters” are on the prowl for insurgents who, hiding amongst the populace,...

1st Cav, ICDC Conduct Joint Cordon-and-Search Mission BAGHDAD, Iraq - Under the guidance of 1st Cavalry Division troops, Iraqi Civil Defense Corps Soldiers recently conducted a cordon-and-search mission in the Al Sowaib area of Al Rashid. It was the first large-scale ICDC combat operation in the 1st Cavalry area of operations. Capt. Martin Wohlgemuth, a fire-support officer with 1st Cavalry Division, said the ICDC Soldiers did exactly what they were trained to do. "We had a team that went in and cleared the building, another team that went in and searched, and they did exactly that," Wohlgemuth said. "They...

  ICDC Soldiers Assume Security in Khalidiyah KHALIDIYAH, Iraq - Soldiers from the Army's 34th Armored Regiment, serving as part of the 1st Marine Division force in Al Anbar Province, turned over authority of Combat Outpost Killeen to a local Iraqi battalion June 1. The 502nd Battalion of the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps assumed responsibility for security in the city in a ceremony at the base. The battalion's five companies will all be assigned to protect critical structures and locations throughout Khalidiyah. They will also be tasked to root out terrorists.  Release #040604b Iraqi Police Capture Known Terrorist Baghdad,...

Iraqi dentist, ays, reports regularly "Stories and news from Iraq after the liberation" in his blog Iraq at a glance. Not only does his news reflect a positive outlook of many Iraqi, he has added to his masthead the words: "Liberation, Freedom, Democracy, Now we have the right to act as we choose" On Wednesday, June 02, 2004, ays had this to say. These short stories may seem so minor compared to the media stories coming of Iraq each day; but remember, as you read below, these are freedoms never experienced before by Iraqi citizens under Saddam. Hi friends, *I'm...

TF Danger Soldiers Find Large Cache KIRKUK, Iraq - Task Force Danger Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment led explosive ordnance disposal teams to weapons cache near here May 29. The EOD teams recovered more than 70 artillery and mortar rounds, 23 anti-tank munitions, an antipersonnel mine and three hand grenades. While the EOD team was at the site, an Iraqi child brought one SA-7 surface to air missile to the Soldiers. The cache was taken to a Coalition base for destruction.  Release #040530c ~ May 29 ~ 1st ID Soldiers Destroy Car Bomb TIKRIT, Iraq - 1st...

I ordered first a substantial increase in the training and equipment of South Vietnamese forces. . . . The primary mission of our troops is to enable the South Vietnamese forces to assume the full responsibility for the security of South Vietnam." President Richard M. Nixon, on his Vietnamization policy, Nov. 3, 1969."Eventually [Iraqi forces] must be the primary defenders of Iraqi security, as American and coalition forces are withdrawn. . . . At my direction, and with the support of Iraqi authorities, we are accelerating our program to help train Iraqis to defend their country." President George W. Bush,...