CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE WARRIOR, Iraq – Concealed by thick smoke, seven men in black fatigues crept silently across a shell-littered field, aligning themselves one-by-one against the gate of a bullet riddled house. The lead man lifted a gloved hand into the air and clutched his fist tightly, holding the squad in place. He peaked through a hole in the gate to view the door and signaled his team forward with a hand gesture.
The raid team sprung from around the gate, sprinted toward the door and smashed it open with a battering ram. Four men entered the dwelling while three secured the front exit from any potential counter attacks. Seconds later, the team exited the building with a suspect.
Iraqi police officers conducted the simulated raid as part of an emergency response exercise at Kirkuk Training Center, May 29.
Iraqi Security Forces used the exercise to demonstrate a broader goal of conducting security and emergency operations independently during Operation Iron Lion, said Maj. Eric East, operations officer, Provincial Police Transition Team, 1st Advise and Assist Task Force, 1st Infantry Division, who provided mentorship to the Kirkuk City police who trained for the event.
“This event is a portion of Operation Iron Lion,” said East. “The events will focus on how they will respond to critical incidents in Kirkuk.”
East said several EREs are scheduled to be included in the ongoing Operation Iron Lion.
Operation Iron Lion is a set of events, mission, and exercises demonstrating various ISF agencies’ self -sufficiency, interoperability, and adaptability in order to establish internal security and defend against external threats.
“One of the most important aspects of the event is the interagency coordination,” said East, a Purcellville, Va., native. “They are now comfortable with cross talk among the agencies.”
ISF personnel also trained on reaction to vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices during the exercise, as well as crowd control procedures to keep civilians out of harm’s way and ensure safety of the surrounding public.
The PPTT and 1st AATF began their advise, train and assist mission with the Kirkuk policemen after arriving in northern Iraq to support Operation New Dawn in fall 2010.
The goal of the EREs and Operation Iron Lion as a whole is to demonstrate the ISF self sufficiency to the people of Iraq, said East.
“This is the fifth ERE conducted since November,” said the East. “The only thing the PPTT has done this time around was provide a small amount of logistical support and a little bit of advising to the key leadership.”
Gen. Kawa, commander, Kirkuk Training Center, said he appreciated the 1st AATF mentors efforts to guide the policemen while allowing them to conduct the majority of the operation independently.
“Thank you for the great job you do,” Kawa said to U.S. soldiers during a readiness exercise prior to the ERE. “We appreciate all you do.”
Kawa, a leading coordinator of the ERE, oversaw every step of the process leading up to the event.
Kawa said he sees the training events being as much a training tool as a demonstration which will increase his officers’ ability to serve the people of Kirkuk City.
“Training events like these teach them to teach others in the future,” said Kawa of his officers. “More knowledge will lead to better police.”
“The IP are fully capable of handling any type of emergency within Kirkuk City, and they fully intend to better themselves so the people of Kirkuk can feel safe,” said East.