Replies

Last story from Iraq. Flight got delayed until the 19th so I'm out at BIAP enjoying doing nothing! Enjoy.

John

Rising From The Ashes

3rd Brigade Assisting In Rebuilding Of Iraqi Army

By Spc. John S. Wollaston
3BCT PAO

BAGHDAD, IRAQ – Twice during the last 15 years, the Iraqi armed forces have been literally obliterated courtesy of the United States and her allies. The first time, the Iraqi military was left to its own devices, forced to do what it could to re-constitute itself any way it could. But the second time around, in the aftermath of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the Iraqi Army is rising from the ashes of defeat with the help and assistance of an unexpected ally, the United States Army.

At Camp Cook, the former Iraqi military installation in Taji just north of Baghdad, a small contingent of U.S. and Australian soldiers are teaching a new Iraqi army the tactics and skills necessary to defend the country. A six-man team representing the Bulldog Brigade are training, advising and conducting operation with between 100 and 120 Iraqi Army Soldiers. The soldiers of the new Iraqi Army are a mix of old and new. Carefully screened former soldiers are combining with new recruits; senior non-commissioned officers are working with cherry lieutenants, all with one goal in mind, to make Iraq safe for their countrymen.

“There’s a lot of pride in the soldiers.” According to Captain Johnny Casiano, one of the trainers from 3rd Brigade. “They (the new Iraqi Army) have the potential to be a powerful force. Their concept of how to conduct operations has really developed well over the last 45 days”
Using a crawl, walk, run method to train the Iraqis, Casiano and his team have started with the basics, teaching U.S. based fighting doctrine at the squad and platoon level. So far the company being trained by Capt. Casiano have participated in 8 operations in the Taji area in a combined effort with U.S. troops.

“At the beginning it was tense working with the Iraqis.” said Sergeant 1st Class Dan Smith, a member of Casiano’s team from the 1st Armored Division’s Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 123rd Main Support Battalion. “But now they’re happy we are here and it feels real good working with them.” The Iraqi Army soldiers echo that sentiment.

“At first we had a very different impression of the U.S. Army.” Said Major Azam, an Iraqi Army commander. “Now we realize they are good people who want to help us and came to liberate us. There is mutual respect between the soldiers and they’ve been very good at assisting us with our training.”

And at a time when it is still risky for Iraqi citizens to be seen openly assisting coalition forces, Capt. Casiano points to recent bombing in the Kadamia district of Baghdad as an example of how willing the soldiers of the new Iraqi Army are in securing the country.

“They wanted to go down there.” Casiano says of his soldiers. “They had no orders to do so but they were willing to go down there and help.”

Over the next few months, as security forces like the new Iraqi army assume a larger role in protecting the country, the main concentration will be on the formation of light infantry units. Plans call for 27 battalions in the new Iraqi Army by the fall of this year, with the last four battalions being aviation units.

Last story from Iraq. Flight got delayed until the 19th so I'm out at BIAP enjoying doing nothing! Enjoy. John

Hi, John. Thanks for your service to America. Prayers sent for your success and safety.
Waiting for your flight on the 19th!!

Hi, John....thanks for letting us know your status. We were hoping no news meant you were on a plane. ohioWfan's son is in Kuwait, as is HopeandGlory's DIL. They too, are soon for home. Will you have computer access for the duration of your wait?