Iraqi Army taking lead, 'doing what it takes'

Photo By Sgt. Rebekah Lampman | Soldiers with the 1st Battalion, 1st Brigade, 3rd Iraqi Army Division prepare to search the town of Muhallabiyah, March 5, with coalition forces. The purpose of their visit to the area was to search the fields and orchards for buried weapons caches.  

MOSUL, IRAQ

05.03.2007

Story by Pfc. Bradley Clark 

4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs

By Pfc. Bradley J. Clark
4th BCT, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs

FORWARD OPERATING BASE MAREZ, Iraq — Since the arrival of the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division in November 2006, the unit has had an opportunity to work side by side with soldiers in the Iraqi army. For many of the brigade's Soldiers, the IA have proven themselves to be a combat-ready and capable fighting force, and they are enjoying the opportunity to train and serve with them.

"We get along great with those guys; they are really cool," said Riverside, Calif., native Pfc. Bryan Quintana, infantryman, Company A, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment. "Some of them are hardened veterans and are willing to do what it takes."

Even with all the attacks that the Iraqi army receives, they won't back down.

"I remember the day when there were two [vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices] that went off in the city," said Quintana. "There were four members of the IA at the location of the VBIEDs. When the first one went off, two of them died. Before the second one went off, the remaining two were getting orders on their radio to fall back and retreat. Then, something happened that I will never forget. They said, 'We're not going back. We have to protect our battalion.' Those two wounded soldiers stood their ground and fired at the second VBIED before it detonated. They didn't make it, but their ability to stay and fight gives me confidence when it comes time for us to leave and for them to take over on their own."

The IA's ability and confidence to stay and fight can be credited much to the training they have received from coalition forces Soldiers.

"The IA soldiers fight daily," said IA Command Sgt. Maj. Mohammed Jasim Hussen, 1st Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Iraqi Army Division. "Training now, compared to the past, has vastly improved. The soldiers are brave because of the training they receive from the coalition forces. Ability wise, the IA is strong and confident in their duties," said Hussen. "My battalion has proven its worth, since the division is sending us to Baghdad. The Iraqi people and its soldiers are very proud people. We train hard and with coalition forces help we have become very good in our duties."

Many American Soldiers agreed with Hussen.

"I've seen them in action," said Pfc. Cary Hawkins, Troop C, 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment. "There's been a couple of times I've been out on a street corner pulling security and I looked to my left and saw my squad leader, then looked to my right and saw one of those guys. It's a good feeling. I enjoy having them around. They're good at their job and they're competent."

U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Jon Rettmann, Battery A, 5th Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, agreed with Hawkins and added, "The IA have made tremendous strides since my first tour in Iraq during (Operation Iraqi Freedom) II. The 1st Battalion IA is a professional organization with exceptional leaders. During combat patrols, the soldiers from 1st Battalion lead from the front and never hesitate when faced with adversity. With continued combined training and operations, the entire IA will one day rid Iraq of terrorists."

The Iraqi army says they will continue to be successful with the support and training they receive from coalition forces. The IA is confident they will be ready to stand on their own and protect their country from the devastation and destruction that anti-Iraqi forces cause.

• Date Taken: 05.03.2007
• Date Posted: 05.03.2007 09:15
• Story ID: 10220
• Location: MOSUL, IQ