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“Once the new school is complete, we can train almost triple the number of students,” he said, “which means we can send more troops to the field faster.” He said the ability to do this is a small part of the bigger picture of Iraqis taking over security for their own country. Iraqi Army Master Sgt. Ali, an automation instructor at the school, is excited about the prospect of moving into a larger schoolhouse, as is the entire Iraqi staff. Ali said it’s his responsibility to help students learn how to operate new computer systems and to add more technological knowledge to the Iraqi forces. As he sees it, the larger the school, the more equipment he has to train on and the more students he can train. “All this training helps the soldiers use their equipment, which means it helps to enhance security in Iraq,” he said through an interpreter. “With this new technology in the (Iraqi) army, we can be just like other armies around the world.” Gambone said he’s proud of the Iraqi cadre and their enthusiasm and commitment to the process. “To grow a school doesn’t happen overnight,” he said. “But for now, they’re right where they need to be, operationally.” Gambone also cites the importance of Taji Military Training Base, as a whole, to the Iraqi Ministry of Defense, noting the five separate schools are training Iraqi soldiers in intelligence, engineering, communications, service and support and basic training. “In a year or two from now, I hope they are doing what we’ve planned and that they remember everything they’ve learned,” he said. “This is important to the security of their own country.” |
