Photo By Chuck Gill | An Iraqi sergeant barks orders to his troops from 1st Brigade, 9th Iraqi Army Division...... read more read more
By Staff Sgt. Brent Hunt
1st BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.
TAJI, Iraq - Dubbed Operation Arch Angel, Soldiers from the 9th Iraqi Army Division and 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, teamed up to search a suspected illegal arms dealer's house in a local neighborhood near Taji Feb. 5.
Even though the operation netted only two suspects for further questioning and a small amount of AK-47 rifles, Operation Arch Angel was the perfect opportunity for the Iraqis and the Americans to hone their skills in their combined effort to fight the Global War on Terrorism.
"I like working with the American Army, and I'm learning a lot," said Akeel Kadum, an Iraqi special forces soldier, a recent recruit who has been in the Iraqi army for six months. "We work with the Americans every day doing what we learned in basic training. It's a hard job, but I will stay in the Iraqi army until we (Iraq) are able to defend our country."
The 1st BCT is working closely with soldiers of the 9th IA Div. to teach, coach and mentor them. The Taji-based Iraqi division is composed of three heavy tank brigades, each consisting of almost 4,000 soldiers.
Two of the brigades are already patrolling the area, fighting Anti-Iraqi Forces and detaining suspected criminals either by themselves or with some Coalition Forces backing. The third brigade is scheduled to be fully operational in the next couple of months after Iraqi cadets complete basic training to fill the ranks.
The goal of the 1st BCT is to have the 9th IA Div. fully functional and taking control of the 1st BCT battle space. To accomplish this goal, the Iraqi's are taking the lead in every operation. In addition, military transition teams are assigned to work hand-in-hand with the Iraqis to mentor key leaders within the Iraqi command group staff.
Operations such as this allow the Iraqi army to take the lead while the U.S. slowly takes a step back putting an Iraqi face on every operation. This is a new concept and quite a change to many of the American Soldiers, who are now on their second tour of duty in Iraq.
"There are a lot of changes this time around," said Sgt. Scott Drzewiecki, gunner with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 66th Armored Regiment, 1st BCT, who is in his second tour in Iraq. "There is a lot more Iraqi army, and the police are out more.
"Overall, I've seen a lot of positive things out of the Iraqi army," Drzewiecki said who hails from Michigan City, Ind. "It's a slow process, but they are going to get there."
"It's a lot better over here than the first time," agreed Spc. Michael Gibson, a mortarman with HHC, 1st Bn., 66th AR. "Now, the Iraqi army and the police are starting to take control of their country."
Not only do the American Soldiers have high hopes for the future of Iraq, but Iraqi soldiers think their country is getting better.
"I think Iraq and the Iraqi army is getting much better," said Kadum. "It is a lot better than when Saddam was in charge."
| Date Taken: | 02.21.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 02.21.2006 13:06 |
| Story ID: | 5434 |
| Location: | TAJI, IQ |
| Web Views: | 219 |
| Downloads: | 97 |
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