BAGHDAD, IRAQ (June 24, 2003) - British Army begins train-the-trainer course for U.S. Army command elements on June 25 on internal security, counter-terrorism and peacekeeping support operations.

The team was invited to train the American soldiers by the Combined Joint Task Force-Seven commanding general based upon their extensive experience in other counter-terrorism and peacekeeping operation, according to task force officials.

Fourteen British soldiers from the Operational Training and Advisory Group (OPTAG), based in the United Kingdom, will travel throughout Iraq to four U.S. Army units, who are currently providing security to Iraq.

The three-day training will cover: tactics, command and patrol searching. The course will benefit junior officers and senior noncommissioned officers will routinely conduct patrols in an urban environment. The patrol searching, designed for junior noncommissioned officers, focuses on all aspects of patrol search such as rummaging, route checks, vehicle and personnel searches.

The goal for both courses is for attendees to take the lessons learned and teach all soldiers in the units.

OPTAG trains all British Army soldiers prior to deploying on counter-terrorist, internal security and peacekeeping support operations worldwide. It trains upwards to 25,000 people annually.

The team will return to the U.K. by July 25 .