Free Republic

BARWANAH, Iraq (Aug. 2, 2006) -- Despite a recent rash of insurgent attacks, Marines in Barwanah, Iraq, say they are making notable progress equipping the Iraqi Army with the skills to take over security operations in this city of 30,000 nestled along the Euphrates River northwest of Baghdad. Less than a month ago the soldiers and Marines formed a mounted mobile assault platoon – or “MAP,” as the Marines call it – capable of responding quickly to enemy attacks against Coalition Forces on foot. The new platoon proved to be a big step for Iraqi forces – the MAP platoon...