Free Republic

BAGHDAD, Iraq – The Iraqi Police Service received 39 of a planned 50 light armored personnel carriers from the Jordanian government recently and will use them in a mechanized police unit planned to counter insurgent activities.The 8th Mechanized Police Brigade (MPB) is a paramilitary, counterinsurgency unit that will deploy to high risk areas. The MPB will comprise three battalions of approximately 1,500 officers. A six week course is currently underway with nearly 800 recruits. The MPB can deploy as a company, battalion or even a brigade-level force. The brigade will be stationed in Central Iraq. The Russian made personnel carrier,...