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BAGHDAD—When President Barack Obama announced in August 2010 the transition of the American mission in Iraq from a combat mission to one of advising, training and assisting Iraqi Security Forces, a key part of that decision was the ISF’s ability to close and engage the enemy independently. On Nov. 30, ISF leaders and soldiers proved themselves worthy of that trust.
Elements of the Iraqi Army’s 17th Division, along with aviation assets from the Iraqi Air Force, successfully planned, resourced, and ran a complex live-fire exercise at Qa’qaa range—formerly Qa’qaa weapons facility—south of Baghdad.
U.S. leaders and soldiers present at the event were strictly there in an advisery role.
“This has been what everybody is working up to”, said Capt. Daniel LaBar, fire support officer with 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 1st Advise and Assist Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, United States Division – Center, and a Harleysville, Pa., native. “This is what we’ve been advising, training, and assisting the Iraqi Security Forces on— this year and a lot longer—getting them up to this point where they can demonstrate how much training they’ve been doing.”
Using a combined-arms approach, the 17th Division opened the exercise by firing mortars to clear potential defenses. This barrage was followed by IqAF helicopters firing missiles and evasive flares, before other helicopters landed with commando elements in an air-assault maneuver.
Simultaneously, forces from the 17th IA division assaulted a second target location. Finally, IqAF helicopters used smoke to shield the area where they picked up the commando team.
LaBar said the operations went smoothly, and the ISF added some complex elements to the final operation that had not been anticipated by U.S. advisers.
“There are a lot of events that happened today that we didn’t expect—(like the) downed pilot scenario,” he said. “I’ve been here for two rehearsals, and I haven’t seen them rehearse that. That’s exactly something that a US force would prepare for, too.”
An Iraqi squadron commander was similarly impressed by his Soldiers’ execution of the exercise.
“I feel very happy,” he said. “I see my army becoming very strong, and we have powerful army aviation.”
Lt. Col. Gregory Sierra, commander of 2nd Bn., 7th Inf. Regt., 1st AAB, 3rd Inf. Div., said this exercise was the culmination of a yearlong partnership with the 17th IA division.
“Back in January we were conducting an aerial reconnaissance (mission) with (17th IA division commander) General Ali and there were a couple of different objectives we talked about—this being one of them—doing a combined live fire at Qa’qaa training range,” Sierra said. “He planned, resourced and executed this training on his own, so it’s an amazing growth over the course of the year.”
In attendance were representatives of the unit who will be partnering with the 17th IA division over the next year, the 1st Battalion, 63rd Armor Regiment, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, that will be replacing the 2nd Bn., 7th Inf. Regt., 1st AAB, 3rd Inf. Div. LaBar says they are now fully aware of the capabilities of the unit they will be advising.
“Handing over this type of event on the first day of (relief in place) is (essential) to continuing this type of effort,” he said. “(1st Bn., 63rd Armor Regt.) will know exactly what the 17th IA Division is capable of, and they know what they are going to be pushing for, as far as training for the future.”
LaBar said, in addition, that the exercise was observed by several Iraqi Ministry of Defense officials.
“Iraqis showing Iraqis,” he said, “this is the kind of thing they can do.”
| Date Taken: | 12.02.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 12.02.2010 10:07 |
| Story ID: | 61226 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 97 |
| Downloads: | 6 |
This work, 17th Iraqi Army Division executes live fire exercise at Qa’qaa Range, by SSG Daniel Stoutamire, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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