Soldiers and Iraqi federal police wrestle for success

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Mary Junell | Iraqi federal police officers practice choke holds as part of U.S. Army combatives course at Forward Operating Base Falcon, Iraq, Aug. 15. The officers are training with Soldiers of the 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team, Multi-National Division-Baghdad.  

MAHMUDIYAH, IRAQ

08.15.2009

Story by Sgt. Robert Jordan    

30th Armored Brigade Combat Team

MAHMUDIYAH, Iraq — Thirteen Iraqi federal police officers of 3rd Battalion, 1st Mechanized Brigade, began a three-day combatives course with Soldiers of 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team at Forward Operating Base Falcon, Iraq, Aug. 15.

Combatives is a U.S. Army fighting system stressing at the basic level grappling, grabbing and controlling an opponent with chokes and holds.

"It is the quickest way to be an efficient fighter and you can train almost full contact," said Staff Sgt. Terry Thompson of Jacksonville, N.C., a combatives instructor with Headquarters and Headquarters Company.

The police officers lined up in front of a 20-by-10 foot mat on the floor, as U.S. Soldiers demonstrated fundamental holds, called mounts, across the chest, neck and hips.

"Any questions?" asked Thompson after showing the officers a new mount. "Let's practice."

Iraqi police Cpl. Hamsed Jasim wraped his arms around the left shoulder of Officer Muhammad Hussein while extending his own right leg, pinning Hussein, who was about 50 pounds heavier than Jasim, to the mat.

"I held him until he got tired," said Jasim.

The instructors adjust the students' holds, moving arms and legs as needed.

"[Combatives] is a good self-defense tool to keep them safe," said Sgt. 1st Class Jason Zike, an instructor from Rock Hill, S.C., with Company E, 252nd Combined Arms Battalion, headquartered in Wadesboro, N.C.

Smiling, the students slam into the mat as they continued to practice their new skills. "You can see it in their eyes, they are happy," said Lt. Col. Amer Jubr al-Hassany of Baghdad, commander 3rd Brigade.

• Date Taken: 08.15.2009
• Date Posted: 08.17.2009 05:59
• Story ID: 37563
• Location: MAHMUDIYAH, IQ