Posted on 12/09/2005 10:24:53 AM PST by SmithL
The low boom of an American 155-mm gun erupted in the distance, and bursts of magnesium illumination lit up Qadessiya with an orange glow. Two U.S. Apache attack helicopters hummed overhead.
The meticulously planned raid, which involved more than 800 Iraqi police and soldiers, was a major test of the ability of Iraq's nascent security forces to take a far larger role in combatting the insurgency in this part of the rebellious Sunni triangle.
With Americans providing only air and illumination support and the minimum of groundwork and oversight, the operation culminated 12 months of rigorous training of Iraqi forces by the U.S. Army's 2-7 Infantry Battalion of the 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division.
"It can be considered a graduation exercise for all the Iraqi forces in the region," said Lt. Col. Todd Wood, 42, of Indianola, Iowa, the 2-7's commander. "It's nice to see it all come together. A year's worth of work."
But for the battalion itself, the Thursday morning sweep -- dubbed Operation Rising Force -- had the feel of the Last Waltz. The soldiers are scheduled to return to the United States next month,...
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
Now that's funny! Good one...
CHECK who ran this article.
Next thing they``ll do is say guns can save lives
Reminds me of my kindergarten graduation.
Support our Troops. COMPLETE THE MISSION!!
They have the training and motivation, now all they need is more equipment.
Isit in their paper and ink publication.
I haven't laid hands on the actual paper, but according to the article, it's on page A-1.
Comparing Apples & Oranges: Why The Training of Iraqi Security Forces is Taking So Long.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1532262/posts
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