Posted on 04/22/2010 6:31:42 PM PDT by SandRat
COS GARRY OWEN – Iraqi Army Commandos continue to train and conduct successful operations here with the Scout Platoon from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment.
Over a seven-month period, the Iraqi Commandos have grown in their technical and tactical proficiency, building a more professional and independent fighting force.
Using the traditional coach, teach and mentor approach, the Commandos now control much of their own training and even started teaching classes to the U.S. Army Scout Platoon.
"It’s amazing how far they have come; I feel comfortable when they are teaching me a class and running missions with them," said Staff Sgt. James Tsosie, a section sergeant from Newcomb, N.M., during one Commando training exercise.
Using equipment and training aides provided by the Scout Platoon, the Iraqi Commandos successfully conducted a full-scale assault on a training objective.
The Commando noncommissioned officers and platoon leaders took charge of the event, while the scouts acted as observers and safety officers.
Independent and realistic training is an important step for the Iraqi Army as they continue to take the lead during operations in Iraq.
"The Iraqis have taken the initiative in training their Soldiers and at times start before their scheduled training time," said Sgt. Brian Mallon, a squad leader from San Diego.
The results of their efforts can be seen in the city of Amarah, where Iraqi Security Forces successfully planned and executed operations in support of the recent national elections.
Recently the Commandos found rockets in their area of operations and managed to detain the individuals who emplaced them.
"I can go back home and proudly tell my family and friends that we did make a difference here," said Sgt. James Markham, a squad leader from Big Sandy, Tenn.
NPR said this morning (prepare for the big shock ...) that this wasn’t really true, the Iraqis are still incompetent and that al Qaeda is growing in strength because we suck.
That US military training and culture is worth its weight in platinum to the Iraqis.
And the US military experience of the congress abandoning the ARVN to face an enemy with unlimited logistics, which they still held out against for two years with no support or resupply, left a bitter taste in the mouth, and a strong impulse that this should never happen again.
So the Iraqis have been given training and knowledge reserved for only the top armies in the modern world. Once they are fully up to strength, with their own combat air force, they would likely defeat a larger Russian army in the field. A war against Iran would be a joke, as the Iraqi forces would occupy Tehran before sundown, after having utterly routed their military and Qods forces.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.