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NEWS RELEASE HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND 7115 South Boundary Boulevard MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101 Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894

August 2, 2004
Release Number: 04-08-07


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


IRAQI ARMY ACTIVATES 7TH BATTALION


BAGHDAD - The Iraqi army's 7th Battalion was activated Aug. 1 with the basic training completion and graduation of 723 training recruits in a ceremony at the Kirkush Military Training Base east of Baghdad, concluding the stand-up of the army's fifth fully-manned and trained battalion.

It also completes the Iraqi army's 3rd Brigade of the 5th Division - the first full Iraqi army brigade to complete training. The army will ultimately consist of 27 battalions, nine brigades and three divisions.

"This is a great day for the Iraqi people," Coalition Military Assistance Training Team, Chief of Staff, U.S. Army Col. Jim Mulvenna said. "With extensive infrastructure now in place to conduct training, the Iraqi army and the Iraqi Intervention Force will now rapidly generate combat power which will greatly enhance the security of their nation."

The entire battalion of 893 officers and men participated in the training. Iraqi army training now consists of a trained cadre who run recruits through basic training as each battalion stands up. Officers and non-commissioned officers, 170 of them, conducted the eight weeks of instruction consisting of basic soldiering, weapons, drill and ceremony and physical training.

The battalion is the third Iraqi army battalion solely trained by Iraqis.

"It validates that the training model produces a cohesive unit with well-trained soldiers that will only increase in capability over time," Coalition Military Assistance Training Team, Operations Officer, Marine Corps Lt. Col. Kevin Foster said.

The unit will now be employed in a number of different locations to enhance the security in and around Iraqi army bases and to conduct follow-on training.

The 22 remaining Iraqi army battalions will begin and complete training in the coming months at various bases throughout the country with the final unit slated to come on line in early February 2005.

The Coalition Military Assistance Training Team, part of the Office of Security Transition, assists the Iraqi government in training, equipping and mentoring its armed forces.

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