New Joint Headquarters Army Advisory Training Team Leadership Observes Iraqi Army Capabilities

Photo By Van Williams | U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Steven L. Salazar, commanding general, Joint Headquarters Army...... read more read more

Photo By Van Williams | U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Steven L. Salazar, commanding general, Joint Headquarters Army Advisory Training Team, addresses his Soldiers during a battlefield circulation tour, May 24. JHAATT advises the Iraqi army and helps them to develop a capable, professional fighting force.  see less | View Image Page

IRAQ

05.28.2009

Story by Van Williams 

Multi-National Security Transition Command Iraq Public Affairs

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The outgoing and incoming commanders of the Multi-National Security Transition Command — Iraq Joint Headquarters Army Advisory Training Team made a battlefield circulation tour of key sites May 24.

U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Steven L. Salazar, commanding general, JHAATT, will be leaving Iraq for his next assignment as commanding general, Joint Multi-National Training Command, U.S. Army Europe and Seventh Army, Germany.

U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Lloyd Miles is Salazar's replacement. In his last assignment, Miles served as the assistant commandant/deputy commanding general of the U.S. Infantry School and Center at Fort Benning, Ga., from September 2007 until May 2009.

The generals toured the Besmiyah Range and the Taji Regional Training Center, where JHAATT advisors are helping the Iraqi Army develop a professional and capable force.
Salazar received a hero's welcome as he arrived at Besmiyah and was greeted by an Iraqi Army honor guard and small band.

During the visit, the generals saw the latest class of 30 Iraqi army M1A1 Abrams Tank graduates. Two tanks performed a live-fire demonstration as part of the ceremony.
Salazar was instrumental in establishing the M1A1 training program at Besmiyah.

"You should be very proud of your accomplishment here today," Salazar told the graduating soldiers. "Your country is looking forward to you protecting them in these tanks."

Speaking to a group of U.S. Army advisors, Salazar thanked them for their work in helping the Iraqis create a professional fighting force.

"Years from now, when you are sitting on your couch at home watching television, you will see the first Iraqi Army tank battalion," Salazar said. "You will know that you have taken part in building that battalion."

The Iraqi Ministry of Defense has ordered 140 M1A1 tanks through the Foreign Military Sales program and has plans to purchase another 140 tanks in the future. The first regiment will begin full-scale training in December 2010, according to Salazar.

The group also observed warrior training at Besmiyah, as a squad of Iraqi soldiers cleared rooms in a "shoot house." Miles complimented the soldiers.

"It is not weapons that make a good team," Miles said. "It takes heart and good leadership. And you have both."

Before leaving Besmiyah, Iraqi army Col. Abbas Fadhil presented Salazar with a special honor. The main road to and from the airport was named Salazar Road.

"This is from the heart," Abbas said as the sign was unveiled. "Nine thousand soldiers have trained here because of the hard work you have done, General Salazar. Perhaps one day, you will bring your wife and family to see your accomplishments and this sign."

The group then went to Taji, where the Iraqi army has a Regional Training Center. The generals saw demonstrations at the Bomb Disposal School that included remote control robots.

They also dropped in on a Command Sergeant Major class. Salazar told the senior non-commissioned officers that what they are doing is important for the future of Iraq.

"Thirty years ago, my father was in the fifth Command Sergeant Major course in the U.S. Army," Salazar said. "Thirty years from now, your children go through this course, thanks to the work that you are doing here today."

Before leaving Taji, the group stopped at a future training site. Standing near an empty field, Salazar described his vision for the area.

"Brig. Gen. Miles will take it to the next level," Salazar said with a smile, knowing that his work in Iraq was nearly done. "He's the perfect officer to take it to the next level."