Training the Iraqi Army

MAHMUDIYAH, IRAQ:  Dawn was breaking as the convoy of three Humvees and one heavy truck rolled out of US Army FOB (forward operating base) Mahmudiyah. Troops from the 2^nd Battalion, 14^th Field Artillery, 10^th Mountain Division; based here in this town twenty miles SW of Baghdad, were beginning their regular morning workout with Iraqi Army troops.  The training program was held at the Iraqi Army 4^th Brigade, 6^th Commando Battalion compound which is located a few miles from the American base.

The Tenth Mountain troops have built a rather extensive and complete training facility in which to conduct the Commando School program for the Iraqi Army.  The concept is similar to courses at US bases in the States, however the appearance is one of make do.  Plywood, two by fours, barbed wire, sand bags; even an old water tower frame for the rappelling training, have been cleverly used.

“It’s been a challenge,” said SFC Mathew Parker who is one of the key instructors for this program.  “The Iraqis don’t have a tradition of PT for instance.  There were a very large percentage of immediate drop outs because they weren’t able to run a couple of miles for starters.  Rather odd, when you consider their traditions are derived from the British Army which stresses strenuous PT programs.”

 

The Iraqi Army training during a field exercise.

The local troops on this compound live a rough life compared to their American counterparts.  There are no air conditioning units attached to the scraggly row of tents that house the enlisted men of this unit.  Many have dragged their cots outside to find air cool enough for sleeping.  On one recent midnight the temperature still stood at 109 F. Their mess hall is an old warehouse.  Breakfast consisted of strong, sweet tea ladled from a large bucket and two pieces of bread with a yogurt type spread. That was it. 

“They have other problems too,” said Sgt. Parker.  “Usually half of the troops stationed here are out on leave; and for a good reason.  There is not enough housing.  There aren’t enough rifles to go around; even including a recent shipment of new M-16s.  These I might add were delivered with no spare parts, and with an instruction booklet that was printed in English.”

None of these problems however, seemed to dampen the enthusiasm of either the instructors or their students. After finishing breakfast the Iraqi troops joined up at the simulated buildings for city battle training.  As they went from door to door through this training facility, the US troops viewed the action from ramps positioned overhead.

‘They’re actually getting better and better,’ said SFC Erik Johannessen a current resent of Sacketts Harbor, NY.  ‘I think that all of men that have made it this far will be graduating the 1^st of August.  I’m taking them all in for some class room work after we finish up here.’

Later in the week the Commando Training class and their instructors will be traveling to Brigade Headquarters at Camp Striker on the outskirts of BIAP (Baghdad Int’l Airport) to complete the final phase of training.  This will entail learning the procedures to enter and exit a Blackhawk Helicopter during an Air Assault.  Rappelling procedures and the methods of attaching sling loads will be taught to the potential Iraqi Commandos at that time.

*A version of this article was published in the Press Republican and the Watertown Daily Times.