Posted on 08/17/2004 12:26:41 PM PDT by Ragtime Cowgirl
FORWARD OPERATING BASE DANGER, TIKRIT, Iraq Most were once farmers with little education from rival tribes. But on Aug. 16, the more than 300 Iraqi National Guard Soldiers who graduated from basic training were literally on one accord both militarily and rhythmically. We are ready to kill the enemy. We are ready to fight, the 202nd ING Battalion Soldiers thundered in Arabic, as they jubilantly hoisted their new AK-47 assault rifles in the air to celebrate the proudest day of their lives. The ceremony was held on a sweltering morning on this forward operating base. Dignitaries in attendance included Lt. Gen. David Petraeus, who oversees the training of Iraqi troops, Maj. Gen. John Batiste, commander of the 1st Infantry Division, Brig. Gen. Ahmed Salman Aameed, commander of the 30th ING Brigade and Dr. Bruska Shaways, secretary general of the Iraqi Ministry of Defense. Iraqi and America media were also present. The unit is the first cohort ING battalion, meaning all of the members came from Samarra, where there has been much unrest. The Soldiers trained together and will serve together alongside American troops.
Typically, ING Soldiers come from various cities and are assigned to unit across the country. The Soldiers went through a three week basic course in which they learn basic soldering skills. The training included rifle marksmanship, first aid and common task training. At the conclusion of the first phase, they went through an advanced six day course with the 1st Infantry Divisions 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment. During that training, the 202nd ING learned the 1-26ths standard operating procedures and other tactics, said Staff Sgt. John Peeples, a squad leader with Alpha Company of the 1-26 and a New Jersey native. His unit and the 202nd will go into battle together in Samarra if necessary, he said, adding that the best Soldiers from the 202nd ING were selected to form a scout platoon. They are the nucleus of the 202nd Iraqi National Guard Battalion that someday will be called upon to rid the streets of Samarra of terrorists, thugs and assassins, Batiste said of the new graduates. Shaways thanked Multi-National Force Iraq and the 1st Infantry Division for training the ING and other Iraqi security forces. Additionally, he sang the praises of the troops and urged them to make sacrifices as they run terrorists out of the country. My dear Soldiers, you have to know that you will enter history from the widest gates , Shaways said through an interpreter. The Iraqi people and we at the ministry of defense are proud of you, and we will support you as much as possible .
Hussein Abdul Karim, 18, was one of the graduates. Completing the ING course is his greatest accomplishment, he said, adding that his five brothers are also ING Soldiers. Despite the dangers that lie ahead, he said, hes not afraid for his life because he wants to defend his country and build a new Iraq. Besides, he was well trained, he said. After the graduation ceremony, Batiste met with Hamud Shukti, governor of the Salah Ad Din Province, where Samarra is located, and several Samarra officials. The United States is ready to spend tens of millions of dollars to improve the infrastructure in Samarra, a city with more than 200,000 people. However, not a dime will be spent until the streets are secured and coalition and Iraqi forces are able to operate there without interference from insurgents, Batiste said. We are all tired of the violence. The people of Samarra deserve better. Its a great city, Batiste said. He offered to form a partnership with the governor and city officials to devise a plan to rid the Samarra of insurgents. The Governor accepted, saying that he will do all he can to curb the violence. With that, the two leaders shook hands. By this proposal, we should kick out the terrorists he said. Let life go back to where it was. (Story by Spc. Ismail Turay Jr., 196th MPAD) |
I hope he means the way life should be, rather than the way it was...
FORWARD OPERATING BASE DANGER, TIKRIT Most were once farmers with little education from rival tribes....But on Aug. 16, the more than 300 Iraqi National Guard Soldiers who graduated from basic training were literally on one accord both militarily and rhythmically.
We are ready to kill the enemy. We are ready to fight, the 202nd ING Battalion Soldiers thundered in Arabic, as they jubilantly hoisted their new AK-47 assault rifles in the air to celebrate the proudest day of their lives.
Bad news for the bad guys, ping!
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8Duty First' Soldiers conduct Cajun Mousetrap III in Iraq ->
Good article..the Iraqi unit has to go into battle, get bloodied, then they can be spread around the rest of the Iraqi troops coming out if training...as NCOs..it's called the "cadre" approach..surprising that the word doesn't appear in the article..
Bump!
Bump!
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