Iraqi Army complete rehearsals, await time to execute

Photo By Col. Wayne Marotto | An Iraqi Jundi inspects a role playing voter during a full scale dress rehearsal of the 17th Iraqi Army Division security plan for the upcoming provincial elections at Patrol Base Deason in Mahmudiyah, Jan. 25. The Jundis have been training and rehearsing for more than a month on the proper procedures involved in searching vehicles, bikes and voters. The purpose of the rehearsal was to illustrate the readiness of the Iraqi army troops to ensure a secure, free and credible provincial election.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

01.25.2009

Story by Lt. Col. Wayne Marotto 

2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division

By Lt. Col. Wayne Marotto
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division

BAGHDAD – The 17th Iraqi Army Division conducted a full scale dress rehearsal of its security plan for the upcoming provincial elections at Patrol Base Deason in Mahmudiyah, Jan. 25.

Iraqi Staff Maj. Gen. Ali, commander, 17th IA Div., walked Maj. Gen. Jeffery Hammond, commanding general, Multi-National Division – Baghdad and the 4th Infantry Division and Col. Pat White, commander, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, MND-B through a series of rehearsals to illustrate the readiness of his troops to ensure a secure, free and credible provincial election.

The Iraqi soldiers demonstrated how they will conduct inspections on vehicles, and on individuals arriving to vote. This included dedicated female inspectors to search female voters.

The Iraqi army is in the lead to implement and maintain security for the elections with MND-B Soldiers acting in support roles.

This rehearsal is another indication of the ever growing professionalism of the Iraqi army.

Ali also had each of his battalion commanders brief him on their units security plans. The commanders presented detailed plans coordinating fuel supplies, communications and the evacuation of possible casualties.

Ali quizzed his commanders on what they would do given a hypothetical situations. Ali demanded much detail to his commander's plan.

But first and foremost Ali told his commanders that providing security for the polling sites and voters was the unit's number one priority.

"We must remember, our soldiers are not allowed to influence the election. But their duty is to provide security for a safe election," said Ali.

The Iraqi Jundis have been training for over a month on the proper procedures involved in searching vehicles, bikes and voters.

"I have faith in God that all will go well in the elections," said Ahmad Faz, an Iraqi Jundi. "We have trained well for this."

The Iraqi army will continue to rehearse for the election which begins Jan. 31. They are confident they are prepared to provide Iraqi voters an environment for free, safe and fair elections.

"You had a great rehearsal, now it is time to execute," said Hammond.

• Date Taken: 01.25.2009
• Date Posted: 01.26.2009 09:32
• Story ID: 29266
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ