Iraqi Army achieves milestone at Bayji National Ammo Depot

Multi-National Force-Iraq

Tuesday, 16 December 2008

Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq

Public Affairs Office
Phoenix Base
APO AE 09348

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Release No. 081216-03

December 16, 2008

Contact: pao@mnstci.iraq.centcom.milThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

DSN: 318-852-1332

IRAQNA: 0790-194-0270

Iraqi Army achieves milestone at Bayji National Ammo Depot

BAJI - The Iraqi Army achieved a new milestone in their path towards self-sufficiency on Dec. 14 when Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq’s Coalition Army Advisory Training Team - Logistics Military Advisory Team contingent departed Bayji National Ammunition Depot.

The Iraqi Forces accepted full depot management and all associated operational control at BNAD for the Iraqi Ministry of Defense at a ceremony in late September 2008. Since that time, a small contingent of coalition personnel has been assisting them as they develop full capacity. The Iraqi Army quickly gained control of all aspects of the depot operation, including the receipt, inspection, quality control, segregation, storage, maintenance, and issue of ammunition. In addition, Iraqi Forces have inherited all security and life support activities.

Brig. Gen. Suheel, BNAD Commander, is also looking ahead to future expansion of their capabilities, such as the employment of the Iraqi Logistics Management Program to enhance their efficiency and capability. This program will provide a new method to provide asset visibility to Brig. Gen. Ali, Director of the Ammunition Command at FOB Honor, and to update the Combined Logistic Operation Center.

Between August and December 2008, both U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Contracting Officer Representatives and MNSTC-I LMAT leaders were impressed with IA progress and performance. The IA forces learned all facets of depot operations via on-the job training in a very short time. “This is another demonstration of the rapidly improving ability of the Iraqi Army to conduct their own logistics operations, “said Col. Dan Leatherman, Director of CAATT Logistics.

-30-

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS RELEASE, CONTACT THE MULTI-NATIONAL SECURITY TRANSITION COMMAND – IRAQ PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE BY E-MAIL AT PAO@MNSTCI.IRAQ.CENTCOM.MIL OR BY PHONE AT DSN: (318) 852-1332 OR IRAQNA: 0790-194-0270. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OUR ORGANIZATION VISIT: WWW.MNSTCI.IRAQ.CENTCOM.MIL.

FOR HIGH RESOLUTION PHOTOS, PLEASE CONTACT THE DIGITAL VIDEO AND IMAGERY DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM BY CALLING (678) 421-6604 OR ACCESS THEM ON-LINE AT WWW.DVIDSHUB.NET.