Photo By Staff Sgt. Jesse Riggin | Soldiers from Company D, 1st Brigade, 4th Iraqi Army Division, practice the...... read more read more
By Staff Sgt. Jesse C. Riggin
3rd Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs
AD DAWR, Iraq (January 31 2006) - Political agendas and statistics all too often are the first things that come to mind when discussing the war in Iraq. These things are far from the minds of those directly affected by the war.
The vast majority of Iraqi citizens do not have access to reliable news sources. What they know about the war is what they see and hear every day. In many cases they see American Soldiers patrolling their streets with .50 caliber machine guns mounted on up-armored Humvees. This sends a strong message to the Anti-Iraqi Forces and the civilians. This image combined with a language barrier can lead to confusion and mixed messages being sent to the people the Rakkasans strive to protect.
The solution lies in the Iraqi Army. They are gradually taking the place of coalition Soldiers and "putting an Iraqi face on security," according to Lt Col. Louis Lartigue, 2nd Squadron 9th Cavalry Regiment Commander. "They are Iraqis doing it for Iraqis."
The Hunters of 2-9 Cav. are co-located with Company D, 1st Brigade, 4th Iraqi Army Division at Forward Operating Base Wilson and their mission is simple: provide security, disrupt terrorist activities and train the Iraqi Army to do the same.
"Anything that we can do - combined operations, training them, supplying them within our limits and teaching them to do that for themselves - is what is going to eventually win Iraqi freedom," said Lartigue.
3rd Platoon of Company D just finished a seven day training cycle with the 2-9 Cav. Military Transition Team (MiTT). The Hunters provided the course curriculum, and Lt Abdulla Kasim Shallow, 3rd Platoon Leader, led the training
"The communication was good," said Abdulla. "The training was a good mix of US and Iraqi tactics."
The training schedule mimicked US Army training standards: physical training at 6:30 am, classroom instruction 9:00 am to 12:00 pm and teach-backs after lunch followed by practical exercises.
Throughout the seven day course the IA Soldiers learned and executed standard US Army battle drills and close quarter battle techniques.
Unlike US Soldiers, the Company D Soldiers see combat well before they ever receive advanced training. There is no Iraqi Joint Readiness Training Center to prepare them for combat, and the combat is in there own backyard.
The majority of Company D conducted live missions having received only basic combat training much like that of the US Army. They have not had the opportunity to train as extensively as the Rakkasans, but they bring a wealth of knowledge to the fight.
"They bring knowledge of the terrain, knowledge of the people and the knowledge of what it takes to provide security for this area," said Lartigue.
For Pvt. Malik Karin Hussain the war in Iraq is a chance to right the wrongs of Saddam's Regime. His uncle was killed by soldiers from the former regime and his brother died while serving in their army. Malik and his family never received an explanation for his brother's death.
Malik says he joined the IA for three basic reasons: "I want to defend my country, I hate the old system (Saddam's Regime), and I need the money to support my family."
Not all have the same history as Malik but most feel a common call to duty.
"If I don't join the Army who will; who will fight for my country," said Cpl. Sharif Athob Tarish.
The Soldiers serving in the IA carry many scars from the past but remain hopeful for the future of their country.
"I am hopeful that the future will be peaceful," said Malik, "and one day Iraq will have friendly relations with all the nations of the world."
| Date Taken: | 02.05.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 02.05.2006 13:44 |
| Story ID: | 5321 |
| Location: | AD DAWR, IQ |
| Web Views: | 336 |
| Downloads: | 168 |
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