Photo By Staff Sgt. James Kennedy Benjamin | An Iraqi Air Force Helicopter launches simulated missiles at an objective at Khor Al...... read more read more
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CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE BASRA, Iraq – U.S. and Iraqi Security Forces gathered at Khor Al Zubair, Iraq, April 28, to witness one of the largest joint-military exercises in ISF history.
Operation Lions Leap, which combined Iraqi army, navy, air force and special operations assets, showed military leaders the progress the ISF has made over the past several years.
“The road to today’s concluding phase of Lions Leap was neither short nor easy,” said Lt. Gen. Michael Ferriter, commanding general for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Training Mission- Iraq. “You have achieved your goal, and Iraq is even stronger today than before.”
To start the one-hour exercise, Iraqi Air Force helicopters dropped two squads of Iraqi Special Operations commandos at the first objective, where they assaulted and cleared an objective in minutes. Soon after, the second phase began when artillerymen launched mortar rounds into the second objective that laid several hundred meters across the river from military and media spectators. Several Navy speedboats filled with IA soldiers made their way from the north to that same objective where they disembarked to initiate the third phase. As the surge from the ground forces continued, four Air Force and Army Aviation helicopters made multiple rounds over the second site, providing air support for the ground forces.
Iraqi units executed their duties in the field today successfully, said Lt. Gen. Mohommad, commander for the Basrah Operations Center.
“The exercise is different from its predecessors,” Mohammad said explaining that the previous exercises dealt with border security, whereas this exercise focused on liberating an island inhabited by terrorists.
“It [Lions Leap] was really a stair stepping event that was truly, truly amazing,” said Maj. George Sellers, a soldier with the 36th Infantry Division, Texas National Guard, and the primary planner for the 36th Inf. Div. Iraqi Security Force Cell. “Each one [operation] was a paradigm leap from the last. We are proud of the outcome.”
The exercise ended with no serious injuries, but with laughter and smiles from ISF soldiers showing that the fruits of their hard labor had finally paid off.
Iraqi military leaders, soldiers and their U.S. counterparts gathered for a feast to celebrate the successful exercise.
“You are witnessing history in the making and a product of an enduring partnership between our forces and our countries,” Ferriter said.
| Date Taken: | 04.28.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 05.02.2011 10:21 |
| Story ID: | 69706 |
| Location: | CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE BASRA, IQ |
| Web Views: | 106 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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