Task force Soldiers train Iraqi Army in Abu Ghraib

Courtesy Photo | CAMP LIBERTY, IRAQ -- Soldiers from the Iraqi Army and U.S. Soldiers from Task Force Courage conduct morning physical fitness training. (Photo by Capt. Mark Reeves, 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Reg.)  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

09.16.2005

Courtesy Story

DVIDS Hub       

1st Lt. Kristopher Deniger
1/10th Mtn. Div.

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq --Two U.S. Army task forces have been working together to transfer responsibility of the Abu Ghraib district.

Task Force Courage"which includes units organic to 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division"has taken over operations from Task Force Blackhawk, comprised of units from the Illinois Army National Guard's 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry.

This period has been filled with many events these Soldiers will face throughout their deployment. TF Courage has hit the ground running, which was eased by the extensive training conducted prior to deployment.

"The Soldiers of the task force are focused on the mission and ready to make a difference in the local community as well as tackle the insurgency," said TF Courage Command Sgt. Major Raul Huerta, from Tucson, Ariz.

While assuming the duties of 2nd Bn., 130th Inf., Soldiers from TF Courage have found themselves doing more than just fighting terrorists, Huerta said. Some Soldiers are being asked to fulfill traditional roles such as patrols, guard duty, and traffic control points. Other Soldiers are training the Iraqi Army and conducting Civil Military Operations.

"Coalition Forces are working to hand over the destiny of the country to the people of Iraq," Huerta said.

TF Courage has put together a Military Training Team of experienced Soldiers to train the Iraqi Army. This team has all the aspects of a regular U.S. Army battalion"from infantry Soldiers, to medics, supply, and maintenance personnel. This effort is being headed by the TF Courage Headquarters Company, led by Capt. Willie Garfield, of Killeen, Texas, and 1st Sgt. Carl Ashmead, from Fairfield, Ohio.

The experienced officers and non-commissioned officers have teamed with three companies in the Iraqi battalion. The U.S. Soldiers share their skills and experience each day, training the Iraqi Army in everything from basic Soldier skills to rifle marksmanship and infantry battle drills, Garfield said.

"The team goes out on missions with the Iraqi Army and helps command and control these units at the company and platoon levels," he said.

Garfield said his team is excited to help the Iraqi Army become a force that will ensure future liberty in Iraq.

Conducting Civil Military Operations is another important aspect of the TF Courage mission. CMO is coordinated from a small Iraqi base, called a Civil Military Operations Center, near Camp Liberty.

The CMOC Noncommissioned Officer in Charge, Sgt. 1st Class Lee Power, of Boston, works with Iraqi citizens to get contracts for projects in the area that will help rebuild the basic utilities and infrastructure of Abu Ghraib.

Working in conjunction with the task force is a civil affairs team headed by Maj. Michael Lawson, of the 448th Civil Affairs Battalion out of Fort Lewis, Wash.

Lawson is specially trained to access the Abu Ghraib district and make recommendations on projects that will better the community.

"We also conduct missions that promote positive programs in the community such as handing out school supplies to the local children," said Lawson, a native of Durham, Conn.

"The entire deployment has gone very well," said TF Courage Commander Lt. Col. Kevin Brown, of Uncasbille, Conn. "The smooth departure from Wheeler-Sack, the excellent training at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, and the experience gained by some very significant events during our first week in sector have all made me very proud of the team, and all those who helped us get to this point."

• Date Taken: 09.16.2005
• Date Posted: 09.16.2005 14:09
• Story ID: 3032
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ