Baghdad General Meets New Iraqi Troops (Iraqi soldiers train, get ready to lead combat patrols.)

Defend America News ^ | Staff Sgt. Jon Cupp

[SandRat]

Baghdad General Meets New Iraqi Troops
Iraqi soldiers train, get ready to lead combat patrols.
By Staff Sgt. Jon Cupp 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division CAMP TAJI, Iraq, April 20, 2007 —The general in charge of leading the Iraqi efforts in Operation Fardh Al-Qanoon, also known as the Baghdad security plan, is Lt. Gen. Abud Qanbar, commanding general of the Baghdad Operations Command. He paid a visit here April 17 to meet with troops from the newly established 3rd Brigade, 9th Iraqi Army Division (Mechanized). "With their first patrol the other day, the first ‘tank’ battalion made history, and you could see that they were well trained and following the standards, which was very impressive to see. They continue to get better at what they do each day." U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Pablo Squiabro Accompanied by U.S. Army Brig. Gen. John F. Campbell, Multi-National Division-Baghdad’s deputy commander for maneuver, and two other Iraqi generals, Qanbar took the opportunity during his visit to talk to the brigade’s leaders about progress they have been making as they work to make the transition from training to taking an active role in combat missions that support Operation Fardh Al-Qanoon.   The plan, which was originally announced in January, is for Iraqi security forces –  working alongside coalition forces – to take the lead in crushing the insurgency in the capital city and outlying areas. In a briefing with Qanbar, U.S. Army Lt. Col. Michael Loew, chief of the transition team, told the general the units within his team are “…making a lot of momentum, going in the right direction.” “The (brigade’s) soldiers have been training with the 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment and they have a great staff. We and the (Iraqi army) troops enjoy working with them every day,” added Loew, who hails from Stafford, Va. An Iraqi officer also at the meeting told Qanbar that “…the brigade’s 1st battalion is ready” to take on any challenges in its area of operations. After the briefing, Qanbar had the opportunity to meet with his troops from the 1st “tank” battalion, 3rd Brigade, 9th Iraqi Army Lt. Gen. Abud Qanbar, commanding general of the Baghdad Operations Command, reviews his troops from the 1st Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 9th Iraqi Army Division (Mechanized) as they stand next to their T-55 tanks, April 17, at Camp Taji, Iraq. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Jon Cupp	Lt. Gen. Abud Qanbar (center), commanding general of the Baghdad Operations Command, listens as he is briefed, April 17, by leaders from the 3rd Brigade, 9th Iraqi Army Division (Mechanized), members of the U.S. Army’s transition team, and the 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, at Camp Taji, Iraq. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Jon Cupp Division (Mechanized). The battalion’s tankers, who operate from T-55 tanks, took the lead on their first mounted combat patrol earlier this week.  “Do your best and you will continue to improve in your efforts,” Qanbar told his newly initiated combat troops. “I, and the Iraqi people, are very proud of you.” Within a few weeks, Iraqi army troops in the brigade’s 2nd battalion will take on their first combat patrols as well, a sign that progress is being made toward turning over sovereignty of the newly democratic nation to the control of its people, according to U.S. Army Maj. Steven Rodriguez, deputy team chief of the transition team. “It shows that the security plan is taking effect as planned, so it is a validation of the plan,” said Rodriguez, a resident of Beatrice, Neb. “They are getting to a point to where they can eventually take over their own security.” Rodriguez also said that Iraqis actually seeing their own troops on patrols in Iraqi towns and villages will build the people’s trust and confidence in their security forces and eventually see more limited participation from U.S. and coalition forces. San Antonio-native Command Sgt. Maj. Pablo Squiabro, senior noncommissioned officer for the 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, said it has been a meaningful experience to see Qanbar’s troops in action. “Training them to take over in the sector is our way home,” said Squiabro, whose soldiers in Company C, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment have been training some of the troops in the 3rd Brigade, 9th Iraqi Army Division (Mechanized). “With their first patrol the other day, the first “tank” battalion made history, and you could see that they were well trained and following the standards, which was very impressive to see. They continue to get better at what they do each day.” Prior to his departure from Taji base camp, Qanbar dined with 3rd brigade Iraqi army leaders, as well as leaders from the U.S. Army’s 1st “Ironhorse” Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, and members of the transition team.

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