[Dean's World] Dave Price: Iraqi Forces Continue To Develop

[notify at powerblogs.com]

Posted by Dave Price:
Iraqi Forces Continue To Develop
http://www.deanesmay.com/posts/1191885922.shtml


   DJ Elliot has the details:

     The Quarterly Report to Congress also provided details on the
     expansion of ISOF[Iraqi Special Operations Force]. Total personnel
     in ISOF was reported at 3,300 -- compared to 1,500 in January --
     with the current total authorized strength of 4,500. The report
     also mentioned the formation of Basrah, Al Asad, Mosul, and Diyala
     companies.

   All the reviews of the ISOF I have seen have been very positive; they
   will have an outsize impact.

     The Iraqi Air Force (IZAF) has finally started to develop and
     expand. As of September 6, the IZAF has 51 aircraft and 1,200
     personnel. Pilot training started this month and the plan is to
     train 130 per year. Training new pilots takes two to three years.
     While authorized for 2,900 at end-year, the force will probably be
     approximately 1,500. Authorized strength at the end of 2008 is to
     be 6,000 personnel.
     ...
     The 7th IA Division in western Anbar is improving steadily with the
     3-7 IA Brigade validated (in-lead). This is the second of 7th
     Division's brigades to be [1]validated. While the 3-7 IA Brigade
     has only 2,100 men, Habbaniyah has been training approximately
     1,000 every five weeks. The 3-7 IA Brigade is also scheduled to get
     organic mortar systems, and the 7th IA Division is near in-lead and
     transfer to Iraqi Ground Forces Command (IGFC). "The brigade is now
     receiving orders directly from its higher headquarters, the 7th
     Iraqi Army Division, and issuing orders directly to its subordinate
     battalions without having to work through [the Marines]." As
     manning improves, the 7th will transition over. "Iraqi 7th Army
     Division â based in Anbar â is near 100 percent of its strength,
     and [Marine Brigadier General Charles Gurganus] anticipates the
     Iraqi Ground Forces Command will assume responsibility for the
     division shortly."

   Read the whole thing. And note this from the linked article:

     "Iraqi patriots arenât Sunni or Shiite, they are Iraqis." -- Brig.
     Gen. Ishmayil Shihab Muhammed
     âThis is a historic moment for the future of Iraq,â said Col. H.
     Stacy Clardy, commanding officer of Regimental Combat Team 2, at a
     celebration of the 3rd Brigadeâs self-sufficiency validation.
     The 3rd Brigade is the second-to-last of the three brigades under
     7th Divisionâs command to be validated. The force is a model in
     Iraq because its ranks include a mix of Sunni and Shiite men from
     different parts of the country.

References

   1. http://www.defendamerica.mil/articles/sep2007/a092607tj2.html