Posted on 07/16/2009 4:57:55 PM PDT by SandRat
Iraqi National Police Lt. Hayhav works in the 6th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment Tactical Operations Center at Forward Operating Base Sykes, recently. He assists with the flow of information between the Iraqi National Police and U.S. forces. Photo by Pfc. Jared Sollars, 145th Mobile Pubilc Affairs Detachment.
MOSUL — Iraqi Security Force officers were recently brought into the Tactical Operations Centers (TOC) of the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team to act as liaison officers.
The Iraqis act as a direct line of communication between the 3rd HBCT unit and their own Iraqi parent unit. This increase in communications not only strengthens the bonds between 3rd HBCT and Iraqi forces here, but they also build a flow of information that is timely, direct and allows a faster response by U.S. and Iraq forces when a significant event occurs.
"If we can get them to see the benefits of the change they will be able to adapt and internalize a lot of our standard operating procedures," said Master Sgt. Robert Lilly, 8th Cavalry Regiment. Lilly is also the battalion liaison for the Iraqi officers working with the battalion.
These select Iraqi Army and National Police officers have been integrated into the personnel of numerous TOCs throughout the brigade. By showing the Iraqi liaison officers how the U.S. Army runs its TOCs, they are potentially showing the Iraqis how to run their own when they get into a command position.
"Whenever I ask my division for any information for Coalition forces they give it to me in full detail," said 2nd Lt. Tareq Hamed, the liaison for the 3rd Iraqi National Police Division partnered with 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment. "My TOC is the center of information for Iraqi forces in the area; my position with my division I think has helped a great deal."
The Iraqi liaison officers have provided information to U.S. forces straight from the liaison's parent units. The information received thus far has included improvised explosive device reports that have come up through the liaison officers.
"Coalition forces are first and foremost here to help the Iraqi people, my presence here is to help my people and my unit as much as possible," said Tareq. "I am one of the means of communication between Iraqi Security Forces in Mosul and Coalition forces, since Coalition forces are not out with the Iraqi units all the time now."
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