Iraqi Intervention Force conducts combat mission

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

10.21.2004

Courtesy Story

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By U.S. Navy Journalist Joe Kane

BAGHDAD, Iraq --The Iraqi Intervention Force and its coalition advisors continue to conduct training and combat operations around Baghdad as part of an ongoing program shaping the IIF into an elite fighting force. In a recent operation in Taji the IIF Headquarters and Headquarters Company set up a tactical check point on a bridge northeast of Baghdad.

IIF advisor U.S. Army Maj. Dennis Swanson said the checkpoint is one of the ways the IIF is projecting a presence in the area."What we're doing is watching the traffic as it comes up through and into Taji so that we can better protect our Iraqi workers coming to the base," Swanson said. "In the past we've had several beheadings and killings in the area, so if we get the Iraqi presence out here it shows the people that their military and their police force are working to protect them."

The Iraqi HHC brigade commander (name withheld for security reasons) said the people are happy to see Iraqi troops patrolling the streets and that they feel safer with the troops around.

"We are using the training we have from the American instructors in the [U.S.] Marines and Army," the brigade commander said. "In the past we could not even fire our weapons to learn how to shoot correctly because under Saddam's army we were only allowed 5 bullets each year. And many times we did not even get to use those. Our leaders would keep the bullets or sell them to get extra money.

Now we feel more confident, and we can protect ourselves and the Iraqi people.

"Swanson said he's been working combat missions with the Iraqis since March and the tactical checkpoints are one technique that has been effective in the past.

"We do them randomly so that insurgents moving equipment from Iran and down this road won't know when we'll be out here. We've had several hits with captured weapons and ammunitions and stuff like that," Swanson said. "These are the kinds of things the IIF is being trained to handle, and so far they are doing well."

According to Swanson the IIF is a unit that gets more than just basic army training. In addition to the 8-week basic training they go through a variety of advanced training including demolitions and advanced machine gun training and more.

The real focus though is on the soldier."Just like our units back home we've got some real good ones, we've got some that need additional training, and we've got some that need a lot more training, but overall as a unit they are doing well with what we've tasked them," said Swanson. "As they reach full capability they will be able to respond anywhere in the country of Iraq."

• Date Taken: 10.21.2004
• Date Posted: 10.21.2004 12:19
• Story ID: 523
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ