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Hammam al Alil, Iraq — When complete, ongoing construction at the Hammam al Alil Divisional Training Center will play an important role in the training of the Iraqi Army. The center is part of a network of training areas designed to support the basic skills Iraqi Soldiers must master so Iraq can continue to build a strong and sustainable force. The mission of the DTC is to provide classroom and field skills to build core competencies for the Iraqi Army. These skills will assist them in fighting the terrorist threat. Every Soldier needs to be proficient in small-arms training, combat...

Two members of Iraq's Emergency Response Battalion 2 secure a poster stating "Trust the Iraqi security forces for a better Iraq" alongside a Hesco barrier at a checkpoint, Oct 30, 2008. Photo by Pfc. Adam Blazak, 11th Public Affairs Detachment. MOSUL — U.S. Soldiers from the 552nd Military Police Company teamed up with Iraq’s Emergency Response Battalion 2 to help spread the message of unity in Mosul, Oct. 30-31. Armed with 50 posters reading “Trust the Iraqi security forces for a better Iraq” and 40 large “Unity –One Iraq” stickers, the two armies convoyed throughout the east side of the...

An Iraqi Army Soldier salutes during the playing of the Iraqi national anthem during the Patrol Base Vanderhorn transition ceremony, Oct. 16, 2008. Photo by Pfc. Christopher McKenna, 101st Airborne Division (AA) Public Affairs. CAMP STRIKER — The Iraqi Army (IA) took control of Patrol Base Vanderhorn from Coalition forces in a transition ceremony in Manari, Oct. 16. Company 1, 1st Battalion, 55th Brigade, 17th Iraqi Army Division took over from Company A, 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).“It is an honor for everyone here who put forth the effort to make...

WASHINGTON, Nov. 29, 2005 – U.S. and coalition initiatives to create well-trained and -equipped Iraqi security forces are paying off, with Iraqis taking on more of the fight, a U.S. Central Command general said Nov. 28 at the Heritage Foundation here. "Iraqi security forces are fighting hard. They're fighting well. They are not cracking under pressure, as you see in some armies, and they are making a tremendous contribution," Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt, CENTCOM's deputy director of plans and strategy, told the audience. Kimmitt, who divides his time between Iraq and CENTCOM's Tampa headquarters, said Iraq's security forces, which now...

Russ Gilbert has been named vice president of Interactive for Air America Radio, including the network and its flagship station WLIB AM New York. The announcement was made by Air America President Gary Krantz. .... “I'm looking forward to working with the incredible talent at Air America to take www.airamericaradio.com to the next level,” said Gilbert.