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This Iraqi Security Force (ISF) update provides a summary of changes to the ISF during October 2011. The Iraqi Security Force Order of Battle is updated as of 31 October 2011. Highlights in this update include: * IMoD not ready until 2020-2024; Possible Greek M60s for IA; 2-34/9 is first Tank Regiment identified training on own M1A1s; Possible 155mm ammunition sale; More Trucks? * ISOF expanding? * Reorganization of OOB.

Iraq’s three ground services. Iraq legally has only two ministries with significant combat paramilitary or military ground forces: 1. The Ministry of Defense (MoD) has the Iraqi Army with 14 divisions. (This is growing to 16 or 17 divisions soon with the new Kurdish additions.) 2. The Ministry of Interior (MoI) has the Federal Police (FP) and the Department of Border Enforcement (DBE) with five DBE Divisions and four FP Divisions. (The Federal Police is projected to grow to 10-12 FP Divisions as they absorb the provincial emergency police and Kurdish elements.) Unless the Iraqi Government can fix this power...

AL ASAD — An elite group of Iraqi Soldiers stand ready to spring into action against terrorism and insurgency here. Al Anbar's 9th Battalion, Iraqi Special Operations Forces (ISOF) have one mission; to keep the people of Iraq safe. To stay prepared for this mission, they spend their days training and working with U.S. Special Operations Forces advisors to continually sharpen their skills. "Iraq is so spread out you can't control it from one location," said an Iraqi lieutenant. "Each province has teams to execute high value missions." These missions can range from presence patrols to fast-roping during pitch-black night...

TIKRIT — Mosul Iraqi Special Operations Forces (ISOF) units, with Coalition advisors, arrested two suspected terrorist cell members operating in the Ninewa Province during a joint operation, April 22. Mosul ISOF, partnered with a Regional Reconnaissance Team (RRT), split to form two teams and dispersed to separate locations to arrest suspected terrorists on warrants issued by the Central Criminal Court of Iraq. “This operation demonstrates the capability of ISOF and RRT to plan and execute synchronized battalion-level operations throughout the region to detain insurgent leaders and cells,” said the ground forces commander. According to Iraqi sources, one team traveled to...

BAGHDAD — Iraqi Special Operations Forces (ISOF) started the day with a bang, literally. The flash-bang grenade breached the front door of the house and immediately the members of the ISOF stormed in to rescue a simulated hostage and neutralize the enemy. Normally, the ISOF do this under cover of darkness with no one watching, but with major U.S. media present and many leaders of both Coalition and Iraqi forces looking on, the Iraqi Counter Terrorism Force performed flawlessly while demonstrating their skills. “We have a strong response to terrorists in Iraq,” said a senior ISOF officer. “We have coordinated...

BALAD — Iraqi Special Operations Forces, advised by U.S. Special Forces captured a Special Groups commander in Baghdad April 30. ISOF conducted the operation to detain the Special Groups commander who has been leading attacks against Iraqi and Coalition forces in the area. The man is believed to be a weapons smuggler, and is reported to conduct improvised explosive device and indirect fire attacks. Intelligence reports link him to an IED attack in October 2007 that killed four U.S. soldiers, and a mortar attack in October 2007 that killed one U.S. Soldier. During the operation, ISOF received small-arms fire from...

BAGHDAD – Iraqi Special Operations Forces engaged and killed several criminal fighters in Basra March 29.The operation was conducted in support of the Government of Iraq’s efforts to secure and stabilize the city.The ISOF conducted the operation in a known criminal stronghold in western Basra to disrupt criminal activities and capture criminal leaders.En route to their target, the ISOF were engaged multiple times by small arms and rocket propelled grenades. Upon arrival at the target, and under fire, the ground assault force entered a building and killed four enemy fighters. Ground forces cleared the structure, finding two women and five...

Iraqi Special Operations Forces capture twelve suspected insurgents Tuesday, 10 July 2007 Multi-National Corps – Iraq Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory APO AE 09342 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE RELEASE No. 20070710-5 July 10, 2007 Iraqi Special Operations Forces capture twelve suspected insurgents Multi-National Corps – Iraq PAO DIWANIJAH – Iraqi Special Operations Forces detained twelve insurgents linked to a rogue Jaysh al-Mahdi militia during two separate intelligence driven operations in Baghdad June 8. These insurgents are allegedly responsible for attacks against Iraqi and Coalition Forces. With Coalition Forces along as advisors, ISOF detained the targeted individuals without incident. In the first...

CAMP VICTORY, Iraq (USASOC News Service, Feb. 28, 2006) – It is a battle Iraqis deal with everyday. The uncertainty of surviving in the neighborhoods they grew up in is unsettling. Iraqis want the certainty of knowing that their families are safe. The Soldiers of the Iraqi Special Operations Forces Brigade believe they have the capabilities to defeat the terrorists who are attempting to destabilize Iraq, said an Iraqi ISOF instructor. The ISOF Brigade Soldiers continue to specialize and hone the combat skills that make the brigade a driving force in Iraq’s campaign for freedom. The Iraqis continued their progress...