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Iraqi General Visits Riverine Squadron One Headquarters

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090422-29
Release Date: 4/22/2009 3:06:00 PM

By Chief Warrant Officer 3 Carlos M. Santos, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command Public Affairs

AL ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq (NNS) -- Sailors from Riverine Squadron (RIVRON) 1 walked a senior Iraqi army officer through an inspection of engines slated for Iraqi river-patrol craft on April 16. The inspection was conducted by Staff Brigadier General Sabah Fadhil Motar, deputy commanding general of the 7th Iraqi Army Division.

Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) are taking possession of a number of Mark 1 River Utility Craft for use as security and training vessels to help them conduct counter-insurgency on and around Iraqi inland waterways. The ISF has worked for months with the Sailors of RIVRON 1, forging a waterborne security force; another step in bringing the Iraqi forces closer to self-reliance.

"They need to be able to operate their own equipment to sustain their force and be able to enforce their laws." said Cmdr. Gary Leigh, commanding officer of RIVRON 1.

RIVRON 1, based at Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base in Norfolk, Va., has been in Iraq's western al Anbar province since early November 2008, patrolling the waterways in the Western Euphrates River Valley. Alongside Iraqi army forces and waterborne police, they have helped provide security on the inland waterways that run through and around many of Al Anbar's most populous towns.

While security is one of the squadron's responsibilities, its mission has changed a bit since RIVRON 1's last deployment in 2007. "It's been a much bigger training piece this time around," Leigh said.

The Riverines have had a receptive audience in the Iraqi Police and Iraqi Army troops who have been the recipients of Navy know-how.

"I believe in reaching 100-percent proficiency with the boats, but it will take time for our troops to learn," said Brig. Gen. Sabah, deputy commanding general of the Iraqi Army 7th Division, through an interpreter. "But I am sure of my soldiers. I am confident they will reach that level."

While helping the ISF maintain security is important to the Sailors assigned to RIVRON 1, they also enjoy building the kind of partnership with the Iraqi forces that promotes cooperation between the two countries on a larger scale.

"Having a partnership with them helps stability in the region, and we want to see a partnership built on trust and mutual respect," said Leigh.