Photo By Lt.Cmdr. Joshua Kelsey | Samarra special weapons and tactics students form a security cordon during their...... read more read more
TIKRIT, Iraq – The Samarra District mayor and several other distinguished guests along with U.S. Special Forces foreign internal defense partners have high hopes for the newest class of Iraqi special weapons and tactics unit, who graduated, April 2.
"We have great hope in our special weapons and tactics unit, who will reach to the farthest point in Samarra to crush terrorism, in hopes Samarra will return to its shining past," said Mr. Mahmud, the Samarra District mayor.
Graduates completed six weeks of rigorous training in the areas of weapons firing, troop movement and communication, combat-lifesaver techniques, armored vehicle familiarization and Iraqi law, in order to join the ranks in Samarra's elite Iraqi police force. Each impressed USSF instructors with bravery and military competency.
"After training and doing missions with the SWAT, I'm confident they can defeat any terrorist threat in Samarra," said the USSF team leader. "As we go forward and continue to make strides in security and improving Samarra, a brave and competent force like this became increasingly important."
Unique to other Iraqi police units in Samarra, SWAT is the only unit organized for the purpose of serving high-risk, terrorism warrants, said Army Lt. Col. Dave Bolduc, Special Operations Task Force – North commander and guest speaker for the graduation.
"Samarra SWAT is the premier Iraqi police force in Samarra because of your strong leadership, tough personnel and willingness to train hard," Bolduc told the graduates. "You can be very proud of your unit; it stands as a glorious symbol of Iraqi security."
Delivering his speech in Arabic, Buldoc used the occasion to highlight Samarra SWAT's notable accomplishments since its establishment six months prior.
"You have fought like warriors against terrorists ... played an important role in detaining the eight-man terrorist cell before they conducted a sniper and improvised explosive device attack in Samarra," Bolduc said. "You have denied terrorists' supplies by recovering numerous weapons and ammunition caches ... and provided security for the most successful election in Iraqi history in January 2009."
Trained and confident, these new "protectors of freedom" are ready to make their footprint in the history of Samarra SWAT – protecting the people of Samarra from those threatening their peaceful streets.
"We will not let anyone mess with the security of Samarra," said Omar, a distinguished SWAT graduate. "With an iron fist, we will vanquish terrorists."
| Date Taken: | 04.02.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 04.07.2009 15:36 |
| Story ID: | 32134 |
| Location: | TIKRIT, IQ |
| Web Views: | 192 |
| Downloads: | 174 |
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