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Iraqi SWAT team training at FOB Kalsu

By Sgt. Jorge Gomez
February 2, 2006

FOB KALSU, Iraq (Army News Service, Feb. 2, 2006) – The Hilla Iraqi Special Weapons and Tactics, or SWAT, team is taking control of the neighborhoods around Forward Operating Base Kalsu, about 100 kilometers south of Baghdad.

The team trains nearly every day on tactics and procedures used to hunt down terrorists. The job is dangerous, but the team trains for every possible scenario, said Iraqi Lt. Husham Azeez, SWAT leader.

“If there are terrorists hiding in buildings, we’re going after them,” said Azeez. “We train with all sorts of explosives and weapons and know how to take control of buildings.”

But no operation goes without first having good intelligence, said Iraqi Lt. A’ayed Abdal Muhssein, SWAT intelligence officer.

“It is very difficult to obtain intelligence, but we need this to be successful and to keep our SWAT team members safe,” Muhssein said.

When this team takes on a target building, they cordon off the area, quickly encircle the building and attack from all sides.

The complex operation has many moving pieces at different locations, so it requires careful coordination to make it work, Muhssein said.

“Daily training ensures these operations run effectively,” he said.

“We learn many good things from the Coalition Forces,” Azeez added. “They are always improving our skills and pushing us forward.”

Initially, the Coalition Forces took a major role in training the Hilla SWAT, but the Iraqis are now at a point where they are able to train themselves. In fact, Hilla SWAT conducts most real-life missions independently.

They have succeeded in capturing many terrorists in the region and have rescued many innocent hostages.

“We have made a lot of progress,” Muhssein said.

They measure that progress by the confidence they gain and by the growing number of terrorists that they detain, he said.

“The area is definitely becoming safer for our people,” Azeez said. “We are making it harder for the terrorists to operate, and that’s why I like this job – despite the danger.”

(Editor’s note: Sgt. Jorge Gomez serves with the 2nd BCT PAO, 4ID.)