Multi-National Security Transition Command Iraq Public Affairs

Courtesy Story

Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq

BESMAYA, Iraq – The sandstorm that swept through the Besmaya Range Combat Training Center could not stop two Iraqi army 3rd Infantry Division units from graduating on Oct. 16, 2008.

More than 1,160 members from the 4th Battalion, 9th Brigade and 4th Battalion, 10th Brigade completed 21 days of Unit Set Fielding, leaving them with the skills they need to perform their mission.

"Are they ready to fight? Yes, they are," emphatically stated Col. Abbas, Iraqi army commander for the Combat Training Center - Besmaya.

Unit Set Fielding is a process that builds an entire army brigade and gives Soldiers the equipment and training they need to fight. Iraqi soldiers from Basic Combat Training, as well as non-commissioned officers and officers, are drawn from their respective training programs to form a new Army command.

"Together with the coalition forces, we are very successful in making this happen. We work as one," Abbas said.

Select members from the units are instructed as trainers so they can train their respective units. The idea is for Iraqis to train Iraqis while coalition forces act as advisors during the process.

"Now is the time to plan to full capability," said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Tim Renshaw, the Senior Adviser Area commander, to the Iraqi leaders. "I'm excited as you take your journey forward."

The three weeks at the range consists of weapons issue and training, first-aid, ethics, humvee operations and close quarters marksmanship training, to name a few.
The Besmaya complex is the largest combat training center in Iraq, with more than 122 square kilometers available for training.

"The Iraqi's have grown in leaps and bounds since two years ago," said Staff Sgt. Cory Argenbright, training adviser and NCOIC at the range's Iraqi army bomb disposal school. "It is Iraqi run and Iraqi instructed."

"To look and see the steps they are taking within two years is amazing," he said. "They are getting better by the day."

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