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| Iraq |
| Iraqi forces improving, sez Lynch |
| 2005-11-23 |
| BAGHDAD — U.S. officials said the Iraqi security forces have more than 212,000 trained and equipped soldiers and police. They said the military was training and deploying soldiers and police at a rate of nearly 1,000 per week. Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch, spokesman for the U.S.-led coalition, said 120 Iraq Army and police battalions have joined the war against Sunni insurgents. Lynch said 25 percent of the battalions were able to take the lead on counter-insurgency operations. On Oct. 28, the U.S.-led coalition transferred security responsibility for the Diyala province to the Iraq Army, Middle East Newsline reported. The Multi-National Force said 3,000 U.S. soldiers from Task Force Liberty have been replaced by the Iraq Army's 1st Brigade of the 5th Division. Officials said Iraqi security forces continue to be hampered by poor logistics. But they said Iraqi soldiers and police have been increasingly effective in collecting and processing tactical intelligence, many of them composed of tips from Iraqi civilians. "The Iraqi 1st Brigade continues to train and equip its forces while providing command and control for battalion-sized operations in eastern Diyala Province," a U.S. military statement said. "The regiment achieved significant success during its operations in eastern Diyala Province. Troopers of the regimental combat team conducted more than 13,000 combat patrols during their eleven months of service." Officials said 17 bases have been turned over to the Iraq Army. They said the army has been in charge of an entire province as well as a large section of Baghdad. U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said Iraq now has more than 100 military and police battalions engaged in battle. Rumsfeld said the security forces were "well respected by the Iraqi people," who have provided increased tips on insurgency activity and whereabouts. |
| Posted by:Steve White |
| #4 "When you start hearing about Iraqi supply units, you will then know we are on our way home." I echo comments #2 and #3. |
| Posted by: DepotGuy 2005-11-23 11:21 |
| #3 Fine post, OS. Thanks. |
| Posted by: Matt 2005-11-23 11:02 |
| #2 Thanks, OS. I appreciate the realistic and informed info. One of your posts blows away a month of MSM bullshit, heh. So post more often, plz, lol. Thx. |
| Posted by: .com 2005-11-23 10:59 |
| #1 "hampered by poor logistics" This is the hard part - and the second most important thing the the US has as an advantage over all other armies in the world: the ability to sustain, rather than burn out, a unit in combat. The most important US advantage? The individual soldier, Marine, sailor or airman - treated and trained as an individual, which produces the best NCO corps in the world, NCOs that fill the leadership roles reserved for officers and aristocracy in almost all other armies. The IAF and ISF are both learning how to "grow" grow NCOs - and that takes time. Once those "American" type of NCOs are in place along with a proper command structure that respects them and expects them to provide tactical leadership, then the Iraqi units become effective in combat. Adding the logistics layer to sustain the NCOs and lower enlisted instead of using them up as cannon fodder is the key element left before the US in Iraq now. Growing these good NCOs and setting up a proper "US Style" command structure requires experienced lower enlisted and NCOs in order to function at high levels of tactical ability. And the only way to get experienced lwoer enlisted and NCOs is to keep them alive and thriving: give them adequate food ammunition and supplies, proper working gear such as uniforms body-armor weapons and vehicles, and prompt medical attention in battle as well as in garison. Its all interconnecting - and thats why it takes a long time to stand up a fully effective modern army. We probably have another 2 years to go in Iraq before they have sufficent numbers to fully take the lead in counter-terror operations nation wide in Iraq. And another 1-2 years after that until they are logistically proficient enough to sustain their forces without direct US involvment in the supply chain. But there are sufficent numbers (with US Log supt) to let the Iraqis start militarily handling well defined regions, which is what we are starting to see. When you start hearing about Iraqi supply units, you will then know we are on our way home. Nice side effect: Iran will be scared sh*tless - they will have a well trained and well organized neighbor that will have sufficient numbers and expertise to kick their asses in any border war. |
| Posted by: Oldspook 2005-11-23 10:09 |