Multi-National Division Baghdad

Story by Sgt. Whitney Houston

By Sgt. Whitney Houston
Multi-National Division-Baghdad Public Affairs Office

CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Until the Iraqi army established its Chemical Corps in 2007, Iraq's military had been without a strong chemical defense program for years despite the potential threat of enemy chemical attacks.

Iraqi and coalition forces officials made another strong step forward regarding the IA's chemical defenses when they organized and held a chemical detection and defense technology exposition at Camp Taji Nov. 18-19.

The showcase was held to aid Iraqi security forces officials in planning on how they will equip their corps with the best chemical defense systems and procedures available.

"As you know, chemical weapons have been around for a long time," said Brig. Gen. Ali Kadim Muhasin Alsadi, commander of the Iraqi Chemical Corps. "Due to these types of threats, there is a need for preventative equipment to protect our troops."

To confront this potential threat, Ali said Iraq's ministry of defense approved a proposed budget of two billion Dinar to help purchase equipment for the newly developed chemical corps. The next step would be to plan for recurring training to ensure vitality in the chemical corps.

"We are raising our capabilities; we're getting to know a lot for the future, and that will help a lot for our defense; we will be opening courses, which will continue to raise our capabilities," Ali said.

Throughout the exposition, coalition forces showed Iraqi officials a broad spectrum of technologies to provide ISF officials an idea of the variety of choices out there to suit their defense needs.

"These last couple of days, our Soldiers have provided an array of chemical equipment," said Maj. Veronica Chinn, a native of Los Gatos, Calif., who serves as the officer in charge of chemical, biological, radiological, and neurological forces-protection operations with 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad. "As chemical specialists, they have shown Iraqi army officials how the equipment works and how we do things so they can acquire a better idea how to start the development of their chemical corps themselves and, of course, to see the different types of technology that's out there."

Iraq's MoD decided to follow the U.S. military's structure of defense by instituting chemical specialists throughout all the battalions of their Army and eventually into all of its military forces.

"As you know, we have 17 battalions in our Army, and we are going to establish chemical support throughout the Iraqi armed forces, including the Air Force and Navy, just like the United States," said Ali. "I'm very optimistic about the future of Iraq's chemical defense, and I know that we'll have this defense. The coalition forces have put a lot of effort forward that this exhibition succeeds, and I believe it will reflect in our chemical section."

The exposition set high hopes for Iraq's new chemical corps and made for an enjoyable and productive day for both Iraqi and coalition forces.

"This is a step in the right direction," Chinn said. "It was the first time in a long time that the IA has received any kind of chemical training, and I really feel privileged to be a part of this first step and aid in their defense."

The two historical days were filled with smiles and hard work for both parties and ended with a feeling of unity and success in bringing about another step in the continual forward progress of the Iraqi security forces.

Associated Images

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