US Forces - Iraq (USF-I) has begun trilateral training with the Iraqi Army and Kurdish peshmerga forces in the disputed northern Iraqi territory crossing three provinces in a bid to head off any destabilisation that could mar security gains in the country. "Part of our job of helping [the government of Iraq] to enable and sustain security is to reduce tensions in the disputed areas," USF-I commander General Ray Odierno told Jane's on 19 January 2010. "So to start out, we are doing a combined security effort" in the provinces of Diyala, Kirkuk and Ninewah, Gen Odierno said. A second phase would see Kurdish and Iraqi soldiers collaborating as one force to provide security for the disputed areas until a political solution can be found. Construction of five trilateral checkpoints in the Hamrin area of northern Diyala province began in early January 2010; training has been under way at Combat Outpost Cobra: a US facility. Some of the checkpoints have been functional since mid-January 2010, but all five are expected to be fully operational by the end of February 2010.
The lack of co-ordination between the Iraqi soldiers and the Kurdish forces - sometimes deployed within 100 m of one another - allowed insurgents to exploit the gaps in the security structure. Closing these gaps is the primary purpose of the tripartite training, said Colonel Dave E Funk, commander of 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division. Response to the new trilateral patrols has been mixed, with some citizens suspicious that the endeavour is merely an effort to establish a new border.
Initially, training will encompass just basic orientation to checkpoint operations, including escalation of force and search training, then mission readiness. Training will continue to facilitate the patrols and operations.
Training by Personnel from Individual Countries TOP
UK: After the US, the UK provided the largest training component in Iraq, with units in the southeast of the country being re-roled to provide training teams. Thirty-five Iraqi officers and NCOs completed a three-month instructors' course at the Infantry Battle School in Wales in August 2005.
Germany: Germany committed to train Iraqis in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and at the NATO Centre at Oberammergau.
Italy: Groups of Iraqi military officers travelled to Italy to undertake courses at the Italian military's Joint Services Staff College.
Norway: Norway has trained Iraqis at the Joint Warfare Centre in Stavanger.
Slovakia: In November 2004 Slovakia agreed to train 15 potential Iraqi Army recruits in Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) techniques.
Poland: In October 2004 the Polish and Iraqi ministries of defence signed a bilateral agreement on co-operation, which included training of Iraqi officers in Polish defence academies.
Jordan: Jordan provided significant training assistance via its Armed Forces Military Academy in Zarqa. An initial group of 548 officers graduated in March 2004 after an 11-week programme, and subsequently at the end of three six- to eight-week courses, 843 Iraqi Army officers graduated from the academy in June 2004. The training programme included a company and platoon leaders' course, a brigade and battalion staff course and a brigade and battalion commanders' course.
Australia: Other training programmes have included the programme run by the Australian Army at Camp Ur, near the Australian base at Tallil outside the city of Nasiriyah. There were separate courses for officers and soldiers, and a special course for ex-Iraqi military officers who wished to rejoin. By March 2008 it was estimated that 30,000 Iraqi personnel had been trained by the Australian training teams. Australian trainers have also been involved in training Iraqi personnel at Taji, Tallil and Kirkush.
US: Some 1,700 bomb disposal technicials have gone through a training course at the Besmaya Combat Training Centre offered by 50 instructors under the Combined Joint Task Force-Troy Combined Exploitation Cell 2009. Training for an additional 1,700 Iraqi Army personnel is envisaged for 2010 and among the course objectives are ordnance identification, explosive storage and search and clearance. Non-commissioned officers are also being inculcated in general and occupational specific field workshops in a training programme designed to ensure mastery in specialties from administration to transportation.
Some 200 army officers participated in the last of the four-week courses that ended on 30 December 2009. The courses were designed to reflect the occupational needs of the army, which by the withdrawal of the US in 2011 is to number some 600,000 active-duty personnel.
Training courses such as the Urban Combat Refresher series at the Shaiba Training Centre are considered central to those internal security ambitions. Participants were asked to complete a weapons-refresher phase that required a comprehensive test of knowledge and handling of the M16 rifle, including assembly and disassembly; construction of proper firing positions; and safe range procedures. The six-day course ended with a close-quarters marksmanship live-fire exercise, according to a USF-I statement.
Other training programmes are ongoing as US forces shift into advisory roles and away from taking front-line roles. In Maysan province, US infantry regiments routinely meet with small units of the Iraqi Army's 38th Brigade to impart navigational and mission planning skills. These regular exchanges also have the value of developing a training capability within the Iraqi Army's officer corps that can be replicated across units.
In addition to the field and military training, the US presence in Iraq is also trying to develop a legacy of standard practice in areas such as forensics, evidence collection and defence of human rights.
Training Institutions TOP
Name
|
Location
|
Comments
|
Iraqi Training and Doctrine Command
|
Baghdad
|
|
National Defence University
|
|
|
Iraqi Tactical Training Command
|
|
|
National Defence University (NDU)
NDU comprises the following:
|
|
|
National Defence College
|
|
Provides a one-year graduate programme in national security studies.
|
The Defence Language Institute
|
|
Teaches foreign language skills to Iraqi military and government personnel. Also trains English language teachers to work at Iraqi military bases.
|
The Defence Strategic Studies Institute
|
|
The institute carries out strategic-level analysis to produce policy recommendations for leaders.
|
The Centre for Military Values, Principles and Leadership
|
|
The centre has the role of developing and assessing training and education programmes.
|
The Joint Staff College
|
Ar Rustamiyah, Baghdad
|
The college was set up in 2005 and became fully operational in July 2007. There is a junior course for Captains and Majors; a senior course is open to those of Lieutenant Colonel up to Colonel rank.
|
Military Academies x 4 (see below)
|
|
Basic Officer Commissioning Courses are provided at four military academies. NATO Training Mission-Iraq (NTM-I) has provided mentors for these courses.
|
Military Academies
|
|
|
1st Military Academy
|
Ar Rustamiyah, Baghdad
|
The Saddam-era academy in southeastern Baghdad, founded in 1924, was re-constituted by the coalition after the overthrow of Saddam. The academy is run with the help of NATO Training Mission-Iraq (NTM-I).
|
2nd Military Academy
|
Qualachulon
|
Located in northeastern Iraq near the Iranian border, northeast of the Kurdish city of Sulaymaniyah.
|
3rd Military Academy
|
Zakho
|
This centre, located in Kurdish region of northern Iraq, close to the Turkish border, served as the academy of the militia of the Kurdish Democratic Party (KDP).
|
4th Military Academy
|
Tallil
|
Located outside the city of Nasiriyah.
|
Iraqi Tactical Training Command (ITTC)
|
Baghdad
|
|
Tactical Doctrine Centre
|
Baghdad
|
Through collaborative working groups involving the MNSTC-I, NTM-I and Iraqi security forces, the centre has developed doctrine in the areas of counter-insurgency and logistics.
|
Lessons Learned Centre
|
Baghdad
|
The centre aims to build on experience gained during operations.
|
Taji Training Centre
|
|
Taji provides a wide range of courses, including basic training for recruits and courses for NCOs, medics, engineers and Stryker crews. Facilities include:
-
Iraqi Armed Service and Support Institute (IASSI): trains logisticians.
-
Iraqi Signal School: trains communications specialists.
-
Iraqi Military Intelligence Academy: trains military intelligence specialists.
-
Iraqi Counter-Insurgency School
|
Military Training Bases
|
|
|
Kirkush Military Training Base
|
Kirkush
|
1st Iraqi Army Training Battalion deployed at Kirkush; basic 8-week course for recruits as well as NCO courses. This is the first and largest training base set up for the new Iraqi Army after the ousting of the Saddam Hussein regime.
|
Numaniyah Military Training Base
|
Numaniyah
|
Basic eight-week course for recruits as well as NCO courses. Other courses include training for military police.
|
Combat Training Centres
|
|
|
Besmaya Combat Training Centre
|
Besmaya
|
A wide range of courses provided, including armour, gunnery and mortar courses, as well as bomb disposal tuition. Courses also for infantry officers and company leaders.
|
Regional Training Centres
|
|
Basic eight-week courses for recruits provided at these centres, as well as NCO courses.
|
Al Kindi
|
|
|
Al Kut
|
|
|
Habbiniyah
|
|
|
K1
|
Kirkuk
|
|
Tikrit
|
|
|
Talliil
|
|
|
Old Muthanna Regional Training Centre
|
Old Muthanna, West Baghdad
|
Signals college with NCO courses and advanced vehicle maintenance training.
|
Equipment in service TOP
Armour TOP
Type
|
Manufacturer
|
Role
|
Original Total
|
In Service
|
First Delivery
|
T-72
|
Various
|
Main Battle Tank
|
77
|
77
|
2005
|
T-55
|
Former Soviet state factories
|
Main Battle Tank
|
n/a
|
50
|
n/a
|
BMP-1
|
n/a
|
Infantry Fighting Vehicle
|
100
|
100
|
2005
|
Armoured Patrol Vehicle
|
Otokar Otobus Karoseri Sanayi AS
|
Reconnaissance Vehicle
|
600
|
600
|
2005
|
BRDM-2
|
Arzamas Machinery Plant
|
Reconnaissance Vehicle
|
18
|
18
|
2006
|
EE-9 Cascavel
|
ENGESA Engenheiros Especializados SA
|
Armoured Personnel Carrier
|
n/a
|
34
|
n/a
|
MT-LB
|
Various
|
Armoured Personnel Carrier
|
n/a
|
61
|
n/a
|
M113A1
|
BAE Systems
|
Armoured Personnel Carrier
|
n/a
|
300
|
n/a
|
BTR-94
|
Malyshev Plant
|
Armoured Personnel Carrier
|
50
|
50
|
2004
|
Talha
|
Heavy Industries Taxila
|
Armoured Personnel Carrier
|
44
|
44
|
2006
|
Spartan
|
BAE Systems
|
Armoured Personnel Carrier
|
n/a
|
100
|
2004
|
BTR-80
|
Arzamas Machinery Plant
|
Armoured Personnel Carrier
|
115
|
115
|
2005
|
M3
|
Panhard General Defense
|
Armoured Personnel Carrier
|
44
|
44
|
2004
|
Transportpanzer 1 (Fuchs)
|
Rheinmetall
|
Armoured Personnel Carrier
|
20
|
20
|
2004
|
Mohafiz
|
Heavy Industries Taxila
|
Armoured Personnel Carrier
|
60
|
60
|
2006
|
Barracuda
|
Doosan Infracore Defense Products BG
|
Armoured Personnel Carrier
|
12
|
12
|
n/a
|
Dzik 3
|
AMZ-Kutno Sp
|
Armoured Personnel Carrier
|
600
|
600
|
2005
|
ASV 150 (M1117) (Guardian)
|
Textron Marine & Land Systems
|
Armoured Personnel Carrier
|
43
|
43
|
2004
|
Cobra
|
Otokar Otobus Karoseri Sanayi AS
|
Armoured Personnel Carrier
|
10
|
10
|
2006
|
ILAV (Cougar type)
|
Force Protection Inc
|
Light Armoured Multi-Purpose Vehicle
|
607
|
607
|
2006
|
HMMWV
|
BAE Systems
|
Armoured Multi-Purpose Vehicle
|
3,800
|
3,800
|
2006
|
Artillery TOP
Type
|
Manufacturer
|
Role
|
Original Total
|
In Service
|
First Delivery
|
155 mm M109
|
n/a
|
Self-Propelled Howitzer
|
n/a
|
2 1
|
n/a
|
81 mm M-37
|
Former Soviet state factories
|
Mortar
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
82 mm Al-Jaleel
|
Former Iraqi state arsenals
|
Mortar
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
120 mm M-43
|
Former Soviet state factories
|
Mortar
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
10 mm Al-Jaleel
|
Former Iraqi state arsenals
|
Mortar
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
160 mm M-43
|
Former Soviet state factories
|
Mortar
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
60 mm Al-Jaleel
|
Former Iraqi state arsenals
|
Light Mortar
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
Note:
-
It was understood in 2008 that two 155 mm M109 self-propelled howitzers had been salvaged from Saddam-era stocks and deployed with the 5th Infantry Division.
|
Anti-Tank Weapons TOP
Type
|
Manufacturer
|
Role
|
Original Total
|
In Service
|
First Delivery
|
9k111 Fagot (AT-4 'Spigot')
|
Tsniitochmash
|
Anti-Tank Guided Weapon
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
9K14/9K11 Malyutka (AT-3 'Sagger')
|
Former Soviet state factories
|
Anti-Tank Guided Weapon
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
Share with your friends: |
