Iraqi police welcome added protection

Photo By Staff Sgt. Zachary Mott | While conducting an off-road test drive, an Iraqi policeman splashes up mud on the course at Forward Operating Base Warhorse. The Iraqi policeman conducted a four-day training session before taking control of three Humvees.  

BAQUBAH, IRAQ

05.12.2006

Courtesy Story

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BAQUBAH, Iraq - They're blue. That's the first thought that jumps to mind. The bright blue of the three Humvees six members of the Iraqi police trained four days to learn how to properly maintain and operate justifiably earn their nickname, "Smurfvee."

"At first (the IPs) were worried about sticking out, but after we pointed out that they had the same paint scheme as everything else that they drive," said Sgt. Andrew Turner, the course instructor from 2nd Platoon, 978th Military Police Company out of Fort Bliss, Texas.

Currently, Iraqi police drive pick-up trucks with little to no armor when compared to the newly acquired vehicles. These are believed to be the first Humvees given to a police unit in Iraq.

Many Iraqi Army Humvees and other military-looking vehicles now dot the roads around Iraq, but it is the blue of the Smurfvees that is sure to attract a lot of looks. But, more importantly, these vehicles will help protect the occupants from small arms fire and shield them from the impact of an improvised explosive device.

"(With) the added armor (it) doesn't really matter what's on the outside because they're going to be targeted (by the insurgents) anyway, but they're going to be safer driving this," Turner said.

The six Iraqi policeman attended four days of training at Forward
Operating Base Warhorse learning everything from basic specifications of these vehicles to driving them at night, off road and on patrol before they could call them their own.

"Initially, when they showed up they thought they were going to take them home with them that day and have them with them everyday. We told them they couldn't take them home just yet, so they were a little bit disappointed," Turner said. "But they're definitely excited about having them. They've been learning in class very well, very excited to learn. They show up everyday with smiles on their faces ready to get to it."

One such IP who was 'ready to get at it" was Sgt. Omar Mohammed Khalifa, an IP mechanic. With his technical background, he said he was happy to learn what was under the hood of the armored beasts. But, to him what was more important was what the vehicle could add to the overall mission.

"We're doing all this because we want to perform our duty to protect our country and our people," he said.

• Date Taken: 05.12.2006
• Date Posted: 05.12.2006 10:23
• Story ID: 6360
• Location: BAQUBAH, IQ