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RCT-5 Gives Iraqi Police A New Ride

by Lance Cpl. Bryan Eberly

Iraqi Police out of Fallujah drove off Camp Fallujah with eight new humvees Dec. 15.

Cpl. Adam R. Dominguez, a 22-year-old driver and instructor with Motor Transportion Platoon, Headquarters Company, Regimental Combat Team 5 applies an Iraqi Police decal to a freshly-painted and restored humvee at Camp Fallujah Dec. 15. The humvee is one of eight that were loaned by RCT-5 to give the IP's more protection, security and independence on their missions. Twenty-two policemen attended a week-long course to learn how to operate the vehicles. (photo by Lance Cpl. Bryan Eberly)

The humvees were loaned from Regimental Combat Team 5 to the IPs to give the policemen more protection and better security on missions.

"It's all about the level of confidence that the IP's have in their daily duties," said Lt. Col. Rob B. "Race" Roberson, a 42-year-old police implementation officer, from Stafford, Va. "And this adds a layer of protection and gives them the opportunity to take the fight to the insurgents on the streets of Fallujah."

The humvees were those that RCT-5 Marines no longer needed and put the IPs at the same level of protection as the Iraqi Army, said Roberson.

Twenty-two Iraqi policemen attended a week-long course to acquaint themselves with their new vehicles. The men learned all they could about the humvees, from fuel changing to off-road driving techniques. They received their certifications Dec. 15.

The instructors hoped the men took in every piece of knowledge, but knew they won't be experts as soon as they hit the road, said Cpl. Adam R. Dominguez, a 22-year-old driver and instructor from Watertown, Wis.

"They have the concept, all it is now is hands-on training," he said. "They'll get it daily, and they'll just learn more, learn a little more, as it comes. It just doesn't come all in one day. They'll get it absolutely, just like Marines do."

The IPs enjoyed the course and were excited to receive the new vehicles, Dominguez said.

"It's just like giving a kid a new toy. That's how they felt," he said. "They were amazed at everything. They wanted to know everything, and they were very willing to learn with open ears."

By giving the trucks, Marines hope to enable the IPs to work more independently of Marine forces, said Cpl. Peter A. Caro, a 23-year-old driver and instructor from Riverside, Calif.  

"We're going to try to let them handle their, pretty much, their business," Caro said. "Let them go on their own patrols, and with these trucks can help them out a lot."

"We thank them for the vehicles, and we all promise to keep our eyes on the vehicles," said an Iraqi Police first sergeant through an interpreter.

The Iraqis are hopeful that all the help they get from Marines will ultimately benefit them, said the first sergeant.

"And there will come a day maybe, one day you're going to see Iraq is peace and calm," he said, "And I hope you guys can come visit us, like bringing your families and hanging out in Iraq, especially in Fallujah."

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