Iraqi Troops Bring Combat Experience to Training

Defend America News ^ | Feb 7, 2006 | Staff Sgt. Jesse C. Riggin

[SandRat]

Iraqi army soldiers assigned to 1st Platoon, Company D, march to the training area at Forward Operating Base Wilson, Iraq, Jan. 28, 2006. U.S. Army photo By Staff Sgt. Jesse C. Riggin
Iraqi Troops Bring Combat Experience to Training
Iraqi soldiers finish a training cycle in which U.S. soldiers provided the course curriculum, and an Iraqi officer led the training.
By U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jesse C. Riggin 3rd Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs AD DAWR, Iraq, Feb. 6, 2006 — The Iraqi army is gradually taking the place of coalition soldiers and "putting an Iraqi face on security," said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Louis Lartigue, 2nd Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment commander. "They are Iraqis doing it for Iraqis." "Anything that we can do - combined operations, training them, supplying them within our limits and teaching them to do that for themselves - is what is going to eventually win Iraqi freedom." U.S. Army Lt. Col. Louis Lartigue "Anything that we can do - combined operations, training them, supplying them within our limits and teaching them to do that for themselves - is what is going to eventually win Iraqi freedom," said Lartigue. Iraqi soldiers with 3rd Platoon, Company D, recently finished a seven-day training cycle with the 2nd Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment Military Transition Team (MiTT). The U.S. soldiers provided the course curriculum, and Iraqi Lt. Abdulla Kasim Shallow, 3rd Platoon leader, led the training.      "The communication was good," said Abdulla. "The training was a good mix of U.S. and Iraqi tactics." The training schedule mimicked U.S. Army training standards: physical training at 6:30 a.m., classroom instruction 9:00 a.m. to noon,  and teach-backs after lunch, followed by practical exercises. U.S. Army Lt. Col. Louis Lartigue, 2nd Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment commander, commends his unit's Iraqi Army counterpart, Company D, 1st Brigade, 4th Iraqi Army Division, on their recent accomplishments in a ceramony held at Forward Operating Base Wilson, Iraq, Jan. 28, 2006. U.S. Army photo By Staff Sgt. Jesse C. Riggin Throughout the seven-day course, the Iraqi army soldiers learned and executed standard U.S. Army battle drills and close quarter battle techniques.	Iraqi Lt. Abdulla Kasim Shallow, 1st Platoon Leader, Company D, 1st Brigade (Iraqi Army), prepares his platoon for morning instruction at Forward Operating Base Wilson, Iraq, during a seven-day advanced infanty techniques program designed by the U.S. Army 2nd Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment. U.S. Army photo By Staff Sgt. Jesse C. Riggin Unlike U.S. soldiers, the Iraq's Company D soldiers see combat well before they ever receive advanced training. There is no Iraqi Joint Readiness Training Center to prepare them for combat; the combat is in their own backyard. The majority of Company D conducted live missions, having received only basic combat training much like that of the U.S. Army. They have not had the opportunity to train as extensively as the U.S. troops, but they bring a wealth of knowledge to the fight. "They bring knowledge of the terrain, knowledge of the people and the knowledge of what it takes to provide security for this area," said Lartigue. For Iraqi Pvt. Malik Karin Hussain, the war in Iraq is a chance to right the wrongs of Saddam's regime. His uncle was killed by soldiers from the former regime and his brother died while serving in their army. Malik and his family never received an explanation for his brother's death. Malik says he joined the Iraqi army for threereasons: "I want to defend my country, I hate the old system (Saddam's regime), and I need the money to support my family." Not all have the same history as Malik, but most feel a common call to duty. "If I don't join the Army, who will; who will fight for my country?" said Iraqi Cpl. Sharif Athob Tarish.  The soldiers serving in the Iraqi army carry many scars from the past but remain hopeful for the future of their country. "I am hopeful that the future will be peaceful," said Malik, "and one day Iraq will have friendly relations with all the nations of the world."

[SandRat]

Gee more good news.... wasn't Gen Pace and SEDeF Rumsfeld being grilled by the pompus ones on this today?????

[E.G.C.]

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