11 Iraqi Soldiers Graduate From First Signal School
Baghdad, Iraq -- Eleven Iraqi Soldiers graduated from the first Iraqi military signal school course here on Jan. 19.
The Soldiers selected are serving in various Iraqi Army units and the Ministry of Defense in Baghdad.
"There is no Army without training," said Iraqi Army Staff Col. Ahmed Assad, the Iraqi Army's director of communications. "This school is the first step in training our army in the latest communication technologies."
This course was the first of three phases; classroom, field training and advanced communication.
Currently, the Iraqi Army has limited communication capability around the country, according to U.S. Army Col. John Graham, the Multi-National Security Transition Command- Iraq director of communications.
"It has been a challenge in Iraq because a lot of places do not have inherent communications and we provide them equipment and infrastructure, satellite phones, UHF and HF radios, and cellular services at different bases," Graham said.
The initial course of instruction was basic communication tactics, equipment and antennas. Follow-on phases will include radio operation, communication theories, frequency management and satellite communications.
"Our friends at Multi-National Security Transition Command - Iraq helped us start this school," Assad said. "We will now be able to use the knowledge we have learned to teach others in the Iraqi Army about communications."
According to Graham, the mission of the Signal Corps is to provide a commander in the field the ability to talk to with their units.
"Sometimes that means going from hand and arm signals to satellite technology," he said. "Soon, Iraqi commanders will be able to talk to any Soldier anywhere in the country."
The two-week course was taught by Multi-National Force Soldiers from the MNSTC-I J-6, but future classes will be taught by Iraqis.
"The Iraqi Army is new and signal is a huge part of providing communication," Graham said. "We started this course and will start a signal unit to fulfill the different needs of the units engaged in combat."
When the students finish the three phases of training they will train other communication specialists in the Iraqi Army. This effort will enhance the commander's ability to communicate the orders and directives of a combat situation.
"It's important that they know how to use the equipment we are providing," Graham said. "It's a first step!"
Release #050120w
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