Posted on 01/03/2009 12:08:15 PM PST by SandRat
BASRAH — Three days after graduating a multi-week training course, the first Iraqi Special Weapons and Tactics Tactical Response Team joined Coalition forces in a joint operation here.
The river-focused force filled vital overwatch positions, and maintained active security and communications with Iraqi Police and Army units as well as with Coalition units.
“This demonstrates the capability of this force, and how their training prepared them for real-world missions,” said a Coalition advisor to the TRT.
The TRT is a new capability for Iraq allowing the Police to have a specially trained cadre skilled in the art of maritime and land-based, urban-strike operations.
The TRT is targeting smuggling networks and will use watercraft to gain access to areas difficult to reach, said a Coalition advisor to the TRT.
“Once on the objective, the TRT is trained to quickly transition from the water to the land, so the team can quickly interdict a person or facility engaged in illegal activities,” he said.
The region is a patchwork of navigable waterways ranging from rivers and tributaries to man-made canals and vast marshlands. The abundance of waterways coupled with the proximity to the Persian Gulf and Iranian border has Iraqi officers concerned about the smuggling to Iraq’s enemies.
“Outlaws use the river to hideout and transport weapons from across the border,” said the Iraqi lieutenant in charge of the Basrah TRT.
The TRT will also allow the Iraqi Police a quick means of reaching small villages to either track down an enemy or deliver assistance to fellow citizens, he added.
While the TRT is now considered the lone, elite river-focused strike force in the Iraqi Police, the training for the team began on land for the IP volunteers coming from numerous precincts in and around Basrah.
The TRT candidates were taught advanced weapons skills and the principles of waterborne insertion and extraction, said a Coalition advisor to the TRT.
“Within a month, I’ve seen leaders emerging within the team, taking responsibility and pushing each other to do better and get stronger … It’s very encouraging,” said the Coalition advisor mentoring the TRT.
For those who recently endured the difficult training and physical demands to see graduation day, they stand ready to protect Iraq.
“We completed the toughest training and became one of the best and most brave within the IP,” said the Iraqi officer in charge of the TRT during his address to the class during graduation.
nice to see USA’s hard work pay off. nurturing Democracy in the unlikeliest of places, and empowering the once defenseless Iraqis.
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