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A pattern has started to develop in the armor and mechanization of Iraqi Army divisions. As the 9th Armored Division upgrades to M1A1 tanks, M113 and BTR4 armored personnel carriers, the older armor is transferred to other divisions. This has established a pattern of 3 sets of 3 divisions [9 total divisions] planned for upgrade and has identified the probable sequencing of the upgrades. However, there are several key items still missing – only the major items will be addressed. Based on the absence of orders for key weapons and the time needed to train/reorganize, the IA is 10-15 years...

This Iraqi Security Force (ISF) update provides a summary of changes to the ISF during July 2011. “The Missing Links – A Realistic Appraisal of the Iraqi Army” was published separately and will not be addressed here. The Iraqi Security Force Order of Battle is updated as of 31 July 2011. Highlights in this update include: * Locations of 4th and 18th RGB; Golden Lions has new base. * Najaf turned over to IA; IA taking over route-clearance in Kirkuk; Route-clearance training in Basrah; New Tank Regiment planned for Kirkuk; Second shipment of BTR-4s by end-year; Kipri MRAPs offered to...

Recently a comment was made that the Iraqi Army is the best Arab army in the Mid-East. That it had been trained by the US in Corps- and Division- level operations and thus was better than the rest of the Arab armies since they only effectively operate at Brigade-level. This is pure fantasy – the IA doesn’t have Corps and only started expanding divisional communications this year. Even the Iraqi Ministry of Defense never planned on the Iraqi Army being at that level of capabilities prior to 2020. There are major differences between counter-insurgency operations and external security. Low-intensity conflict...

This Iraqi Security Force (ISF) update provides a summary of changes to the ISF during June 2011. The Iraqi Security Force Order of Battle is updated as of 30 June 2011. Highlights in this update include: * Golden Lions are now a battalion-sized force. * 5th Division mechanizing; The first 2 divisional artillery battalions may have been identified receiving M198 training; The fifth cycle of battalion training in external defense has completed; 14th Division’s logistics force may be reorganizing. * Oil-for-Aircraft deal for Korean jet trainers?; 4 Mi-171s received; Contract for maintenance and support may be made through US FMS.

The Balisle Report recommended that over 6,500 billets be restored to the fleet. Only 2,200 were approved, with another 3,900 slated for FYDP accessions. The fine print never makes the headlines in All Hands, or the Navy Times. At this time we are told to cut the Navy by 9,000 Sailors. We have to cut solid performers who happen to be in overmanned ratings, while we should cut those who don’t meet standards, or are marginal performers at best. Why must we do this? Because personnel costs, and the billions of healthcare dollars those personnel require for readiness and recovery,...

AL ANBAR, Iraq – Soldiers of the 4th Advise and Assist Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, are packing their bags and preparing to return to Fort Stewart, Ga., as they near the completion of their yearlong deployment to Iraq. The team of roughly 3,000 soldiers supported the Iraqi security forces and local Anbar government during the end of Operation Iraqi Freedom and into Operation New Dawn. Although the 4th AAB, 3rd Inf. Div., deployment is coming to a close, their mission to advise, train, and assist the ISF in the Al Anbar province will remain, and will be carried out by...

KIRKUSH MILITARY TRAINING BASE, Iraq – Iraqi army soldiers selected from four brigades of 5th IA Division conducted operator training on the M113 Armored Personnel Carrier vehicle with assistance from U.S. soldiers from 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 25th Infantry Division at Kirkush Military Training Base, Iraq, April 27. During the M113 training cycle, focused on training the IA on becoming master drivers and vehicle maintenance specialists, students learned basic operating procedures and vehicle maneuvering skills, as well as troubleshooting vehicle malfunctions. “The M113 course lasts ten days, so there is a good amount of information to fit into that...

This Iraqi Security Force (ISF) update provides a summary of changes to the ISF during May 2011. The Iraqi Security Force Order of Battle is updated as of 31 June 2011. Of note, Karabala became the first non-Kurdish province to have no US units based in it in May and NATO Training Mission – Iraq is discussing training planned through the end of 2013. Highlights in this update include: * Peshmerga RGB development – 15th and 16th IA Mountain Divisions cancelled. * External Training of IA continues; M198 training in 5th IA Division; BTR4s confirmed in Iraq. * JBB beginning...

The Department of Defense announced today the deployment of units as part of an upcoming rotation of forces supporting Operation New Dawn in Iraq. This rotation involves one division headquarters totaling 775 personnel and two brigade combat teams totaling 6,400 personnel. The scheduled rotation for the forces begins in mid-summer and continues through the fall of 2011. In accordance with the security agreement between the United States and Iraq signed in 2008, all U.S. forces will depart Iraq by Dec. 31, 2011. Headquarters unit: 3rd Infantry Division Headquarters,Fort Stewart, Ga. Brigade Combat Teams: 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division,...

British defense officials announced Wednesday that the country is officially ending its military mission in Iraq on Sunday, concluding an unpopular eight-year operation that led to the deaths of 179 British military personnel. Although some British troops could still serve in Iraq as part of future NATO training obligations, Defense Secretary Liam Fox told the House of Commons that the 170 troops currently stationed in Iraq have successfully completed their mission to train Iraqi naval forces.

KARBALA / Aswat al-Iraq: Karbala celebrated today (Saturday) the handing over of the last post from the U.S. forces, making it the first province to have "no U.S. military presence according to the withdrawal agreement between the two countries." "Today is a national occasion because Karbela is the first among Iraqi provinces to have the U.S. forces withdraw since 2003," Governor of Karbela, Eng. Amal Al-Deen Al-Hir, told Aswat al-Iraq. "Husainiyah post (20 km outside of the city) was handed over to the Iraqi forces," he added. On the other side, Commander of Middle Euphrates Operations Othman Al-Ghanimi said that...

This Iraqi Security Force (ISF) update provides a summary of changes to the ISF during April 2011. The Iraqi Security Force Order of Battle is updated as of 30 April 2011. Highlights in this update include: * KRGB Soldiers graduate Iraqi Intelligence and Military Security School. * Breakdown of 1,026 M113 FOVs being provided to Iraq; 1st shipment of BTR4s to Iraq; M1A1 training and deliveries; First IA M88A2 training; External Defense Training; External Defense Exercises; Divisional MI Battalions?; Scout Sniper training. * US IPs depart AAC Squadron after 5 years; Czech L159s to be offered to Iraq. * MoI...

This Iraqi Security Force (ISF) update provides a summary of changes to the ISF during March 2011. The Iraqi Security Force Order of Battle is updated as of 31 March 2011. The articles “Iraqi Logistics - The Missing Links” and “Bloggers Roundtable from a Forgotten Front: Equipment and Training” were addressed separately and will not be addressed here. Highlights in this update include: * Iraqi Army’s Peshmerga Division. * US EDA deliveries; BTR4 delivery delayed again; Possible counter-battery radar buy; Joint Intelligence and Operations Center; External Defense training; M1A1 training; Possible division shift from Baghdad; Expansion of divisional support elements;...

The approved Centennial of Naval Aviation video is out: We are the most Aviation-centric military in the world. When people talk about Asymmetric warfare - I laugh. The US Military is Asymmetric to all ather militaries. What other army in the world has an aviation brigade in every division in addition to the corps/army level aviation? If the IA was building to true US standards they would need 17 aviation brigades with 64 squadrons to go with their existing divs. To the rest of the world [incl IA], aviation brigades are corps/army level assets... What other marine corps pairs equal...

I participated in a Bloggers Roundtable with the Director of Strategic Effects and United States Forces – Iraq Spokesman Major General Jeffrey Buchanan. I was tail-end Charlie and was surprised that no one asked about the US Excess Defense Articles [EDA] equipment delivery or the external defense training programs for the Iraqi Army [IA] before I did. I was hoping someone else would ask so I could move down my list of questions. It was obvious the General was primed for these 2 topics. One interesting item was that a joint "Intelligence and Operations Center" is being established to coordinate...

Logistics is not sexy - it is tedious and boring to most people. Logistics is also the essential component to any military operations. “Amateurs talk tactics, professionals talk logistics.” Without the beans, boots, and bullets – combat operations are impossible. The Iraqi Army [IA] is organized on a modified US Army structure while the Ministry of Interior [MoI] paramilitary forces - the Federal Police [FP] and Department of Border Enforcement [DBE] are organized more on Italian Carabinarie structure. Both structures normally have support, transport, and maintenance components at each level: ----break---- The IA has built about 40 percent of its...

This Iraqi Security Force (ISF) update provides a summary of changes to the ISF during February 2011. The Iraqi Security Force Order of Battle is updated as of 28 February 2010. The article updating the Peshmerga “The Second Largest Army in Iraq” was addressed separately and will not be addressed here. Highlights in this update include: * IA: BTR4 delivery did not occur in February; LAV-25s not being bought; M113 APC contract for refurbishment awarded; External training continues in 4 IA Divisions; 28/7 Brigade converting to mechanized?; Logistics and Maintenance training emphasis; 34/9 Brigade training on M1A1s; 52/14 Brigade night...

This is just my short opinion on how to deal with the unions in Wisconsin: Just a thought - When the teachers took "sick" and then went to protest, they were commiting Fraud. Did the Union "Solicit" this "Organized Fraud". Solicitation of a crime carries the same penalties as the crime. The Union leadership solicited how many counts of Fraud? Under RICO, doesn't that make this "Organized Criminal Activity" and grounds for seizure of assets... With each and every teacher that participated facing 1 count and the organizers facing as many counts as could be proven. I would accept the...

For the last 3 months, writing an update on the Peshmerga has been on the to-do list. However, the Peshmerga still has the best OPSEC in Iraq. Most of the update data has come from Iraqi MoD/MoI and USF-I reporting. Recent reporting describes the Peshmerga as reducing from 200,000 to 70,000 with the other 130,000 either retiring or getting “government” jobs. Those “government” jobs would include the 30,000 Zerevani Paramilitary Police transferred to Iraqi Ministry of Interior [MoI], the 29,500 transferred to the Iraqi Army [IA], and 5,000 being formed into the KRG’s Oil Police. The most significant Kurdish provided...

Researchers have found that while coalition forces accounted for 12 per cent of deaths and Iraqi forces 11 per cent, the vast majority of violent killings were killed by unknown perpetrators. Of those by far the biggest proportion - around a third of the total - was summary executions and kidnappings between rival factions and gangs as law and order broke down. ---- cut ---- The authors found that most Iraqi civilian violent deaths during this time were inflicted by “unknown perpetrators”, primarily through extra-judicial executions. These were primarily gunshot wounds often preceded by kidnap and torture. Unknown perpetrators also...