Detainees released; Coalition and Iraqi troops aid flood victims

As the democratic process continues to develop in Iraq, cooperation among Iraqi and Coalition forces has been key in furthering security and stability. During the past several days, this cooperation has been displayed a number of times, including a recent graduation of Iraqi soldiers from a highly demanding military training program in Hilla and Iraqi and U.S. Soldiers assistance to flood victims in Mosul. Another step furthering the democratic process has been the periodic release of security detainees.

Iraqi and U.S. Soldiers rescued nearly 100 flood victims southeast of Mosul Feb. 4 after powerful storms swept through northern Iraq. The flooding trapped dozens of locals on small islands along the Great Zab River, a tributary of the Tigris River.

Soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 2nd Iraqi Army Division braved strong currents in small boats to rescue those stranded in the rain-swollen river.

Two UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters from the 542nd Medical Company (Air Ambulance) responded to the Nineveh governor's request for assistance. The helos rescued two men who were stranded on an island that the boats could not reach because of the current. The MEDEVAC crews also supplied food and water. Two OH-58 Kiowa helicopters searched for additional victims but found none.

Elsewhere, Theater Internment Facilities released approximately 50 male detainees Feb. 5. The Combined Review and Release Board reviewed their cases and recommended the releases.

The Iraqi-led CRRB consists of members from the Ministries of Human Rights, Justice and Interior, and the Coalition. Since its inception in August 2004, the board has reviewed the cases of more than 27,200 detainees and recommended more than 14,300 releases.

More than 20 Iraqi Soldiers graduated from the Advanced Warrior Skills Training Program Jan. 30 in al Hillah. Iraqi Army soldiers, under the tutelage of Coalition Forces, are learning advanced warrior skills equivalent to those taught in the U.S. Army's Primary Leadership Development Course.

In the previous Iraqi regime, only army officers received military training while noncommissioned officers and their soldiers received no formal training.

Sgt 1st Class Charles Carrasco, head trainer, Troop C, 1st Squadron, 10th Cav. Reg, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th ID said the program equips NCOs with tools to further train their soldiers. "It's basically a train-the-trainer program," said Carrasco.

The four-week program taught Iraqi soldiers individual and small-unit tactics. They received blocks of instruction on improvised explosive devices, building clearing and land navigation.

After three weeks of intensive "Sabers and Scimitars" training, the soldiers spent the last week in practical exercises. The week culminated in a live-fire exercise involving room clearing and close-quarters combat.

"These guys are highly proficient, and I would go anywhere in Iraq with them," said Capt. Mark Kovalcik, Commander, Troop C, 1st Sqdn, 10th Cav. Rgmt. "I would conduct any operation with the full confidence that they would excel."

Iraqi soldiers have conducted numerous cordon and searches and raids alongside Coalition Forces. The AWST graduates will put their new-found skills to immediate work training Iraqi Soldiers.

"It is our ambition to be the ones who defended our country and got rid of terrorism in Iraq," said Iraqi infantryman 2nd Lt. Mowafak Hussein. "We are eager to apply this training to the rest of our battalion so that we all can fight the enemy as one great unit."

Source: Multi-National Force-Iraq

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