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Congressmen Visit Taji National Depot

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. George Smith, Security Assistance Office commanding general, explains the process of Foreign Military Sales and the benefits of the program to congressional delegates. Representative Stephen F. Lynch (D-Mass.), Representative Todd Platts (R-Pa.), Representative Steve Chabot (R-Ohio), and Representative Michael Michaud (D-Maine) took a morning to tour the Taji National Depot in Iraq Apr. 12. (Photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Anthony J. Koch) (RELEASED)

TAJI, Iraq - Representative Stephen F. Lynch (D-Mass.), Representative Todd Platts (R-Pa.), Representative Steve Chabot (R-Ohio), and Representative Michael Michaud (D-Maine) took a morning to tour the Taji National Depot in Iraq Apr. 12.

The intent of their visit was to meet with U.S. leaders to discuss the progress of the Iraqi Security Forces and the impact of the Foreign Military Sales program.

U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Robin Swan, Coalition Army Advisory Training Team commanding general answers questions from congressmen that visited Taji National Depot Apr. 12. (Photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Anthony J. Koch) (RELEASED)

The group of congressional representatives visited Taji National Depot, Iraq where U.S. Army Maj. Gen. George Smith, Security Assistance Office commanding general, and U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Robin Swan, Coalition Army Advisory Training Team commanding general, provided them with a briefing about force generation and replenishment of Iraqi troops and the effect the Foreign Military Sales process will have on the Iraqi ground forces.

Representative Steve Chabot (R-Ohio), left, Representative Stephen F. Lynch (D-Mass.), Representative Michael Michaud (D-Maine), and Representative Todd Platts (R-Pa.) listen as a representative from the small arms facility explains the capabilities and function of the facility here Apr. 12. (Photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Anthony J. Koch) (RELEASED)

Following the brief, the representatives toured portions of the depot to include the small arms facility and the biometrics operation facility.

The small arms facility holds an underground firing range and is capable of small arms repair to include M-16s, AK-47s and pistols.

Representative Steve Chabot (R-Ohio), left, Representative Stephen F. Lynch (D-Mass.), Representative Michael Michaud (D-Maine), and Representative Todd Platts (R-Pa.) watch as an Iraqi soldier completes the biometric process of an incoming Iraqi jundi at the Taji National Depot Apr. 12. (Photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Anthony J. Koch) (RELEASED)

The biometrics system is used to account for weapons systems issued to incoming Iraqi soldiers throughout all of Iraq.