Iraqi Security Forces continue creating, maintaining capabilities

Iraqi Security Forces continue creating, maintaining capabilities
Thursday, 18 January 2007

BAGHDAD — A joint press conference was held at the Combined Press Information Center in the International Zone Wednesday to discuss security operations and training in Iraq.

Rear Adm. Mark Fox, acting Multi-National Force-Iraq spokesman, and Brig. Gen. Terry Wolff, commanding general Coalition Military Assistance and Training Team, both touched on how progress was being made on the new plan made by President Bush.

“This institutional training mission is a critical component of our strategy to assist the Iraqis in creating and maintaining a viable and professional military capability,” said Fox.

There have been improvements already made into the training and size of the Iraq security forces.

“In 2006, we made significant strides in force generation and all components of the Iraqi military,” said Wolff. “The Iraqi security force currently sits at 327,000 trained and equipped policemen and Iraqi military.”

Despite these advances, Iraqi forces are still going through a change so patience and diligence will be needed in the coming months.

“What we’re seeing here right now is, we’re in the midst of a transition from the initial training and equipping phase into a partnering phase and ultimately with the goal of the Iraqi Army’s capability to deploy and to conduct autonomous operations and control their own battle space,” said Fox.

The importance of a unified Iraqi military and police force is not just for security but for uniting the country as a whole.

“I don’t think you can overstate the importance of the institution of the army as a unifying institution in Iraq, when you have people who come from all over the nation and now put on a common uniform and serve together,” said Fox.

While Coalition training teams are still advising, Iraqis are showing the initiative by taking the lead when it comes to some of the training.

In most of the Iraqi owned training installations it is all being run by Iraqis, said Wolff. From the financing down to the cadre, it is all in their hands.

Despite the adversities that Iraqi security force has dealt with, both Fox and Wolff remain optimistic that the advances made show that Iraq is well on its way to a secure future.

(By U.S. Army Spc. Scott Kim, Combined Press Information Center)