Posted on 05/07/2009 4:10:15 PM PDT by SandRat
COB ADDER — After an intense eight weeks of training, 65 Commandos from the 10th Iraqi Army (IA) Division marched across the Camp Dhi Qar parade field near here signifying the completion of training, May 2. "Training's been hard from the beginning," said Maj. Gregory Stroud, a Military Transition Team chief with the 1st Cavalry Division. "But they worked just as hard and it definitely shows."
Stroud worked closely with the Romanian Special Forces from the 26th Infantry Battalion to train the Iraqi Commandos on various tactical skills such as small unit tactics and patrolling.
"The U.S. Special Forces have the same training and doctrine as us," said Maj. Nicolaescu Constantin from the Romanian 'Red Scorpions' Battalion. "That made the training go smoothly and was more effective for [the Iraqi Commandos]."
To show the audience of Iraqi and Coalition forces what they learned during the course, the Commandos demonstrated how to conduct a cordon- and-search.
"This is a high level of skill and professionalism you are at now," said Gen. Habib, the commander of the 10th IA Div., as he addressed the graduates. "But don't let this be the last level you reach."
For some of the Commando graduates, the next level will be teaching a new group of Iraqi Soldiers the very same skills.
"I think these guys are ready to be trainers," said Constantin. "They are professional, they know what they're doing now and it will be good for their Army."
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.