CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE WARRIOR, Iraq – Task Force “Devil” soldiers of 1st Advise and Assist Task Force, 1st Infantry Division, helped transition the Kirkuk expanded Combined Security Force to a new, larger operating area at Contingency Operating Site Warrior, Iraq, July 12.
The eCSF, known as the “Golden Lions,” increased into a battalion-sized element of Iraqi army soldiers, Iraqi policemen and Kurdish Regional Guard soldiers, who will live and work at their new headquarters on a portion of COS Warrior.
“The impact of this move is profound; it’s huge for not only the eCSF from a tactical standpoint, it’s huge for the citizens of Kirkuk,” said Capt. Mike Neely, commander, Company A, 2nd Bn., 12th Cav. Regt. “You have three entities working together, being seen by the citizens on a daily basis throughout the city of Kirkuk. This is going to go far in building the people’s confidence in their security force and their country.”
The expanded Combined Security Force is more than just another Iraqi Security Forces unit, said Capt. Kevin Sill, a battalion engineer with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 1st AATF.
The unit is a symbol, both to ISF and the citizens of Iraq, as Kurdish Regional Guard, Iraqi army soldiers and Iraqi policemen cross cultural and geographic dividing lines to form the unit, he added.
“This is a really historic leap ahead because, up until this point, we have been training and operating with the eCSF companies, but they never really had a place to stay and opeate out of as a cohesive, battalion-sized element,” said Sill.
U.S. and Iraqi forces walled off a large portion of a formerly unoccupied area of COS Warrior with concrete barriers for the eCSF battalion to develop their new headquarters.
“The eCSF will now operate out of, live, eat and train at their new operational footprint, known as the ‘Lion’s Den,’” said Neely, whose unit serves as counterparts for the eCSF.
The eCSF previously relied on the available space at the Iraqi Police-operated Kirkuk Training Center located next to COS Warrior.
Members commuted each day to train at KTC, which brought about potential problems with logistics.
“In the past, there have been instances of complications with the eCSF troops on leave cycle, and living far away from the KTC,” said Neely, who calls Fort Worth, Texas, home. “There were times where guys could not get to where they needed to be in time for training or patrols simply because of the distance they had to travel, and the security checkpoints along the way.”
This new footprint provides them a location to collectively work and help create more effective operations, Neely explained.
“Command, control and logistics – all of those things are going to come together right here at the new eCSF battalion footprint,” said Neely. “It will also better facilitate communication for joint patrols and training. Instead of having to call people in from all over the province, the entire battalion will be consolidated on one footprint.”
| Date Taken: |
07.12.2011 |
| Date Posted: |
07.22.2011 10:15 |
| Story ID: |
74132 |
| Location: |
CONTINGENCY OPERATING STATION WARRIOR, IQ |
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