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U.S. Cavalry trains Iraq's 'Defenders of
the Green Zone'
BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Members of the 6th Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment,
4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, took the first steps
toward the success of their new mission in Iraq April 18 -- training
the "Defenders of the Green Zone."
The unit's mission is to train the Iraqi Army's 1st and 3rd
battalions, and Headquarters Company of the 5th Brigade, 6th Division.
The U.S. Soldiers will give the Iraqi leaders the skills and
leadership attributes required to train competent and successful
Soldiers.
When all is said and done, 5th Bde., 6th Div. will be capable of
protecting the Green Zone and its surrounding areas without assistance
from the U.S. military.
During the first day of training at Muthana Airfield, located just
north of the International Zone, Lt. Col. Michael Harris, 6th Bn., 8th
Cav. Reg. commander, led the way as his cavalrymen were introduced to
the Iraqi Soldiers they will work with for the next eight weeks.
Although the link-up seemed awkward at first, due to the language
barrier, both sides appeared eager to train and were ready to learn
from one another.
Most of the tasks the 1,000-plus Iraqi Soldiers will learn consist of
basic Soldier skills such as rifle marksmanship, battle drills,
traffic control points and first aid, said Maj. Chris Worrill, 6/8
Cav.'s operations officer.
"Our goal here is not to turn the Iraqi Army into an American Army,
but rather show the Iraqi leaders how we conduct business and let them
make decisions on what tactics, techniques and procedures will work
best for them," Worrill said.
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CUTLINES:
BAGHDAD -- Members of the Iraqi Army's 1st and 3rd battalions and
Headquarters Company, 5th Brigade, 6th Division stand in formation
April 18. Soldiers from 6th Bn., 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade
Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, will train the Iraqi Soldiers,
known informally as the "Defenders of the Green Zone," to take over
security of the International Zone. (U.S. Army photo).
Text for release and opsec review provided by the 3rd Infantry
Division Public Affairs Office. For more information, please contact 3
ID PAO at CLIFFORD.KENT@ID3.army.mil
Release #050423a |
