IRAQI ARMY'S 4th BATTALION DEPLOYS TO BAGHDAD (& 5th)

	NEWS RELEASE HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND 7115 South Boundary Boulevard MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101 Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894

August 3, 2004
Release Number: 04-08-13

IRAQI ARMY'S 4TH BATTALION DEPLOYS TO BAGHDAD

BAGHDAD - The Iraqi Intervention Forces' 4th Battalion was deployed to a southern Baghdad base this week for stability and support operations in the city as part of the Iraqi government's continued effort to provide security to the nation.

The unit had previously spent several months at the Taji Military Training Base north of Baghdad in special military operations in urban terrain training. The Iraqi Intervention Force is the branch of the Iraqi Army specifically trained in counterinsurgency operations.

"It's a significant development," Coalition Military Training Assistance Team, Chief of Staff, Army Col. Jim Mulvenna said. "This is now one of three Iraqi battalions being employed in the Baghdad area of operations."

The unit will work with Multi-National Forces in the area at the direction of the Iraqi Ministry of Defense conducting a variety of missions including traffic control points, intelligence missions, and security and presence patrols. The 4th Battalion will interact routinely with the Iraqi National Guard and Iraqi Police Service forces in the same sector.

"This is another step toward the ultimate turnover of all security operations to Iraqi forces," Mulvenna said.

August 3, 2004
Release Number: 04-08-14

IRAQI ARMY'S 5TH BATTALION DEPLOYS TO BAGHDAD

BAGHDAD - Lead elements of the Iraqi Army's 5th Battalion deployed to a base in western Baghdad this week for force protection operations at the base as part of the Iraqi government's continued effort to provide security to the nation.

The unit had previously spent several months in training at the Kirkush Military Training Base, 70 miles east of Baghdad. The force joins two battalions from the Iraqi Intervention Force - the army's counterinsurgency force - deployed to the city in July. There are now three fully-trained and equipped Iraqi Army battalions conducting operations in the Baghdad area.

"They're here to continue the forward movement of trained battalions and provide security for those units continuing to train," Coalition Military Training Assistance Team, Chief of Staff, Army Col. Jim Mulvenna said.

The unit will work with Multi-National Forces also garrisoned at the base in force protection, perimeter security, and security operations in the area outside the post.

"Iraqi forces are providing the lion's share of force protection to Iraqi bases, enabling the ongoing, effective generation of well-trained Iraqi battalions," Mulvenna said.

will someone in the military please explain to me the reason & rationale for numbering military units!

Gotta call 'em something to differentiate one from another. Number them or name them. Some armies do both. Numbering takes less time to write or type.

The battalion (or regiment, or division) that gets to be 1st is usually the first one to start organizing and recruiting.

Not in the military but my understanding is that in the US the divisions are numbered according to the order that Congress authorizes their creation, except for a few imaginary ones that were made up to confuse the enemy.

Within the division are the various subunits, brigades, regiments, battalions, etc. They have numbers to keep them distinct from one another.

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