‘Longknife’ Squadron helps Iraqi Federal Police train their own at ‘Saber Academy’

Courtesy Photo | Haider Rahim Hassan, second from left, a policeman with the 2nd Iraqi Federal Police Division, conducts a raid on a building as IFP Lt. Ali, left, an assistant commander at the “Saber Academy” leadership and training school, evaluates his techniques at Joint Security Station Justice, Iraq, April 18. Troopers with 5th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, United States Division – Center have overseen the transition of the school from one where U.S. soldiers conducted the training to one where the instruction is carried out by IFP officers. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Daryle Miller, 2nd AAB, 1st Inf. Div., USD-C)  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

04.18.2011

Courtesy Story

2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division Public Affairs

Story by: 2nd Lt. Devin Osburn

BAGHDAD — Troopers with 5th “Longknife” Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, United States Division – Center recently observed their Iraqi partners with the 2nd Iraqi Federal Police Division train their own personnel at the “Saber Academy,” a 15-day school designed to advance the skills of the 2nd IFP Div.’s leadership.

Each iteration of the academy is composed of approximately 30 students from various brigades within the 2nd IFP Div. These students are trained and tested on several skills and leadership tasks, such as drill and ceremony, physical fitness, vehicle and personnel searches and weapons training.

“Their training is ran much the same as the training we do back in the United States,” said Sgt. Andrew Hall, a cavalry scout with 5th Sqdn., 4th Cav. Regt. “They [learn] pretty quick. The Iraqis were excited to learn the new training techniques.”

Five classes have graduated the Saber Academy, with more planned to follow. When it began, the training was led and instructed by U.S. forces. Today, the academy is taught by instructors with the IFP.

The intent from the beginning was to “train-the-trainer,” meaning the Longknife Squadron would train the Iraqi Security Forces and assist them as they instructed the training of other police officers.
Longknife Troopers still provide guidance where needed, advising and assisting the IFP trainers as they lead the academy. With the IFP training themselves, the language barrier is less of an issue and many are able to relate to their students better, which expedites the training.

After action reviews are a regular feature at the completion of each class, identifying problems with training methods and making corrections where needed. As these classes continue, the instructors will carry on assessing their training methods to ensure progress is made for future classes.

“The IFP soldiers are showing steady progress by taking over the training and have further progressed to coordinating for all their supplies and logistics,” said Capt. Adam Westbrook, a fire support officer with 5th Sqdn., 4th Cav. Regt. and a Godfrey, Ill., native.

“They order all of the meals needed for the trainees,” he said. “They also coordinate for all training supplies needed each day.”

With the steady progress and ability to conduct their training, the drawdown of U.S. forces should not hinder the academy’s progress. The hope is that the Saber Academy will continue to develop and train the IFP long after the Longknife Squadron and other U.S. forces depart from Iraq.

• Date Taken: 04.18.2011
• Date Posted: 04.27.2011 01:22
• Story ID: 69412
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ