Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force - Arabian Peninsula

Story by Sgt. Michael Noggle

By Staff Sgt. Michael R. Noggle
CJSOTF-AP Public Affairs

BALAD, Iraq - More than three months ago, leaders of the 3rd Iraqi Army Division stressed the need to have an elite unit that could conduct direct-action missions in Tall Afar and surrounding villages.

A company-sized element consisting of young soldiers, many of whom have less than a year's experience in the Iraqi army, depends on its officers and non-commissioned officers for leadership and direction.

"The soldiers look to me for leadership and training," said a platoon sergeant in the commando company. "I am only as good as my soldiers. I need to take care of them and make sure they succeed."

Many of these soldiers volunteered to be in the unit, relinquishing their old duties of guarding checkpoints and patrolling the streets of northern Iraq to be a part of this special tactics unit.

"These young soldiers want to be here," said a platoon leader in the commando company. "They are seeking new opportunities to serve in different positions in the Iraqi army."

According to the officer, the commandos will be responsible for "quick hit" missions, performing search and seizure missions taking the fight to the insurgents.

"We have to change the way we train, the way we think, and the way we conduct operations," he said.

Each day starts with a meeting among the platoon's leadership to go over the training schedule. The mornings start with platoon or squad level tactics, followed by common tactical tasks in the afternoon and ending with troop leading procedures in the evening for team leaders and above.

"The NCOs must attend all the meetings and briefings to ensure we are all training our soldiers to the same standard," the platoon sergeant said.

While the company is still going through its growing pains, the platoon leader feels confident they will be ready to conduct missions in the near future.

"We need to work on a few more things and then, hopefully, go on missions with our coalition allies," he said. "That will show where we are in our training and where we are as a unit."

"This is a great opportunity for me and the rest of the soldiers," the platoon sergeant said. "Not too many people get the chance to be a part of a special tactics unit, and we have to do our best to succeed."

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