Iraqi Army Day Army’S 89Th Anniversary

The Advis r

United States Forces-Iraq February 2010 Growing the Force: A Glimpse Into Iraqi Federal Police Training Page 7

An Iraqi Federal Policeman stands ready during his graduation ceremony at the Al Furat Training Academy The Advis r Volume 7 Issue 2

A monthly publication of the United States Forces-Iraq (DCG for A&T)

Deputy Commanding General (Advising and Training) Lt. Gen. Michael D. Barbero, USA

Public Affairs Officer Lt. Col. Martin Downie, USA

Public Affairs Staff Maj. Glenn Burks, USA Capt. Kelli Chevalier, USA Master Sgt.Michael Colucci, USA Senior Airman A.J. Hyatt USAF Internal Affairs Warrant Service Team members prepare to enter the Chief Petty Officer Michael Kennedy, USN “shoothouse” to run through the live-fire scenario. (Photo by U.S. Maj. Robert Owen, USA Army Maj. Bob Owen) Sgt 1st Class Patricia Ruth, USA

Advisor Editor Staff Sgt. Amy McLaughlin, USA Translator February Issue Dan Al Taraji

Arabic-Edition Content Editor

Dr. Adel N. Hansen

Edmon Artin Warrant Service Team members train in rapid identification and engagement of The Advisor is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. Defense Department and Elite Police Clean House 4 suspect targets with speed and lethality. multinational and Iraqi partners. Iraqi Air Force and Iraq Training and Contents of this paper are not necessarily the official views of the U.S. government or multinational Partnership, Advisory Mission-Air Force build opera- partners of the U.S. Department of Defense. Communication tional command and control capabilities

Builds Success 6 together. Direct questions and comments to: [email protected] DCG (A&T) USF-Iraq Growth, Strength, Iraq displays the rising capabilities of APO AE 09348 its armed forces and celebrates the Iraqi DSN: 318-852-1434 Sovereignty: Iraqi Army Day Army’s 89th anniversary. February 8 The Advis r Cover United States Forces-Iraq February 2010 An Iraqi Federal Document and media exploitation teams Growing the Force: A Glimpse Policeman stands in Iraq’s National Information and Inves- Into Iraqi Police ready during Training Page 7 NIIA Nabs Criminals his graduation tigation Agency use high-tech means to With Modern Technology ceremony at the 14 fight crime. Al Furat Training

Academy Photo by U.S. Army Sgt. An Iraqi Federal Policeman stands ready during his Ferdinand Thomas graduation Ministry of Interior celebrated the 88th ceremony at the Al Furat Training Academy. AFN Iraq anniversary of Iraq’s police force and the United States Forces - Iraq, Deputy BPC Celebrates largest graduating class ever from the Commanding General (Advising and Police Day Baghdad Police College. Training) Facebook page: 16 http://www.facebook.com/pages/Baghdad/ 2 TheMulti-National-Security-Transition-Command- Advisor • February 2010 Iraq/153407622188?ref=sgm The commandingUSF-I generals and sergeants majorActivates of Multi-National Force-Iraq (front), Multi-National Corps- Iraq (left), Task Force 134 (right), and Multi-National Security and Transition Command-Iraq (rear), cased the colors during the United States Forces - Iraq activation ceremony at Al Faw Palace, Camp Victory Iraq, Jan. 1. (Photo by U.S. Army Spc. Karin Leach)

Chief of Staff Earns U.S. Legion of Merit On behalf of U.S. Presi- increase the country’s stabil- dent Barack Obama, Gen. ity,” said Odierno. Ray Odierno, commander of The U.S. Legion of Merit United States Forces – Iraq, is a high level medal that can awarded Gen. Babakir Ze- be awarded to non-American bari, Iraqi armed forces chief commanders who make ex- of staff, the U.S. Legion of traordinary efforts for their Merit for his role in stabiliz- countries. ing security in Iraq. “Words cannot express “Gen. Zebari made great our happiness,” said Zebari. efforts, especially in the pe- “This is an honor for all the (Courtesy photo) riod of 2007-2008, where he Iraqi Army.” helped reduce violence and

The Advisor • February 2010 3 Elite Police Clean House Photo and story by U.S. Army Maj. Bob Owen USF-I, DCG, A&T-PAO have courage under fire and Iraqi Internal Affairs’ elite squad of the best way to policemen performs rigorous training, gain this is through movement techniques and rifle battle drills.” marksmanship to prepare for their mission as Warrant Service Team members. Habib who plays a major part in the training talks with the men about the This ongoing training is intensive and importance of protecting civilians who may be in prepares these units to serve high-risk the area of operations and how using focused fire warrants on members of the Ministry of the can keep them safe. Interior who are wanted by the courts for a variety of reasons. In addition to the rifle range where the men fire in a timed event to measure their performance in the The program begins with the Iraqi police standing, kneeling and prone positions, the team advisors training the noncommissioned also trains on maneuvering as a unit to secure officers and officers on how to conduct the a target. training themselves. “It is important to have very quick reactions,” This “train-the-trainer” technique works Habib said. well as the Iraqis have taken the lead conducting the rifle training for their teams. The training consists of moving as a group, taking fire and reacting by performing Prisoner transfer is another duty of these immediate action drills to neutralize the highly dedicated policemen. All over Iraq, threat. prisoners are kept in temporary confinement until their court dates, but occasionally, some The most recent class conducted these drills have to be moved from local jails to more hundreds of times until they were perfected. secure facilities. The training gives the WST “The level of unit cohesiveness is by members the necessary skills to handle this far the best I have seen,” said U.S. Air tough task. Force Maj. Joseph Musacchia, deputy “I want every man to trust himself,” said director, Rule of Law for ITAM-MoI. Iraqi Police Officer 2nd Lt. Habib Majid, “They are absolutely applying the commander of 1st platoon. “Each man should lessons we have provided.”

4 The Advisor • February 2010 Internal Affairs Warrant Service Team members prepare to enter the shoothouse to simulate serving a high-risk warrant as part of the live-fire scenarios conducted during the training.

The Advisor • February 2010 5 Partnership, Communication Builds Success said U.S. Air Force Maj. Russ Driggers, deputy chief of the Iraqi AOC military training team. “[They] have to be able to talk to airborne aircraft and communicate changes ... as missions develop.” The ability to communicate is crucial to accomplishing that, and with this training, the Iraqi Air Force is making great progress, he said. Iraqi air force Maj. Mainea Salman, a communications specialist, has been working within the IAOC for longer than a year. He has maintained the Iraqi defense network, radios and computers, and said he is U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt. Jeffrey Scott, A6 communications advisor, Iraq Training appreciative for the assistance and Advisory Mission – Air Force, assists an Iraqi air force officer with program- that U.S. Airmen have given. ming a Falcon 2 multi-band radio. Scott ensures Iraqi air force members properly “I’m very comfortable working configure and maintain radios that allow the Iraqi air operations center to communicate with their aircraft and bases throughout the country. (Photo by U.S. Air with Scott and I’m very glad that Force Tech. Sgt. Johnny L. Saldivar) I got a chance to learn from him,” Salman said. “Although we’re doing very well now, I am looking By Senior Airman Alyssa C. Miles Tech. Sgt. Jeffrey Scott, ITAM Air forward to making our AOC even U.S. Air Forces Central Public Affairs Force AOC A-6 advisor, works with better.” While the Iraqi army focuses on the A6 communication director to ensure he has oversight across Assisting the Iraqi airmen is radio communication with ground an important task and a healthy forces, the Iraqi air force is advancing the Iraqi Air Force on their current system status and to make sure relationship between the two forces on communication with units moving is imperative. through the sky. their equipment is operational and functioning properly. “In the end, I think the most The Iraqi Air Operations Center is Scott uses a common U.S. important thing is not going to be building and expanding its command whether they have this radio system and control capabilities through its Air Force method of training to teach IAOC airmen how running perfectly by the time we partnership with Iraq Training and leave,” said Diggers, “it will be the Advisory Mission - Air Force. to maintain their equipment. “I go by training records,” he said. “I relationships we build with them.” Airmen from ITAM - Air use them as a guideline on what they These relationships grow through Force, attached to the 321st Air should know.” their experiences together with the Expeditionary Advisory Group, are Iraqi air force. teaching their Iraqi counterparts He explains what maintenance how to translate orders from the top steps they must perform throughout “These opportunities – the into mission-specific information for the life cycle of their communication problems we work through and individual squadrons. equipment to keep them operational. celebrations we have together when The fundamental skills the Iraqi we have successes – they help build a Taskings come to the AOC from airmen learn here are necessary for tight relationship,” Driggers said. the Ministry of Defense and the the success of the IAOC. “ AOC organizes and distributes the That,” he added, “is the key reason taskings to the squadrons who fly in “The work he does is really the and benefit of us being here.” support of current operations. backbone of any effective air force,”

6 The Advisor • February 2010 IFP Students Graduate, Demonstrate New Skills

Iraqi Federal Policemen perform proper techniques for hand-to- hand combat, mixed martial arts and 360-degree security tactics as part of a recent Al Furat Training Academy graduation ceremony in Baghdad. (Photos by Sgt. Ferdinand Thomas, AFN Iraq)

The Advisor • February 2010 7 Growth, Strength, Sovereignty Iraqi Armed Forces Celebrate Army’s 89th Anniversary

8 The Advisor • February 2010 Story and photos by U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Michael D. Kennedy Photos by U.S. Air Force Senior Airman A.J. Hyatt United States Forces -Iraq, Deputy Commanding General, Advising and Training Public Affairs

The Advisor • February 2010 9 Iraq Celebrates Iraq displayed the rising capabilities of its armed forces and celebrated the Iraqi Army’s 89th anniversary with a full scale parade of service members and equipment in Baghdad Jan. 6. Also known as “Iraqi Army Day,” the event marks the inception of the Iraqi Army after Iraq achieved independence from Britain in 1921. Before the parade, Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and Minister of Defense Abd al Qadir participated in a solemn wreath-laying ceremony at the Monument to the Unknown Soldier to honor those service members who had given their lives for their country. The somber tone soon changed to celebration as the focus of the event moved to the parade grounds below

10 The Advisor • February 2010 89th Army Day where Iraqi soldiers, sailors, and airmen began to march in time with the booming military band past the reviewing stands. Hundreds of Iraqi dignitaries looked on as dozens of formations passed and Iraqi Air Force planes and helicopters flew overhead. This year, newly acquired T-6 training aircraft and M1 tanks were highlighted during the procession. “This is another great milestone for Iraq,” said Lt. Gen. Michael D. Barbero. “Today was a physical reminder of how their security force capabilities have grown as they assume more responsibilities for the security of Iraq and its people.”

The Advisor • February 2010 11

(ClockwiseIraqi from Army left) Day President Jalal Talabani and Minis- ter of Defense Abd al Qadir and uni- formed soldiers lay wreaths on the Monument to the Unknown Soldier. Iraqi helicopters fly over the Army Day parade. An Iraqi soldier calls commands to his troops in formation. The Iraqi Navy proudly participated in the armed forces parade. (Photos by U.S. Air Force Senior Airman A.J. Hyatt)

12 The Advisor • February 2010 Commandos Conquer Combat Course

Commandos scale a wall as part of the aggressive physical training that prepares them for the rigorous missions they will perform after graduating from the Warrior Training Program. (Photo by U.S. Army Maj. Thomas Parker, ITAM-Army Kirkuk K-1 senior advisor) Commandos quickly detain the high value target and return to awaiting Mi-17 heli- Physical conditioning continued copters for a speedy extraction as part of the rigorous Warrior Training Program at the throughout the course as the bat- Kirkuk K-1 Training Center. (Photo by U.S. Army Maj. Thomas Parker, ITAM-Army Kirkuk K-1 senior advisor) talion began practicing air mobil- ity training, identifying types and Commandos strike high-level tar- The 4th Iraqi Army Division’s characteristics of helicopters, and gets in potentially explosive situ- Commando Battalion joined the planning for air assault missions, ations while avoiding collateral ranks of the elite when they com- which were supported by the Iraqi damage. They track down and ap- pleted three weeks of intensive Air Force Mi-17 Squadron based prehend terrorists, perform covert training at the K-1 Training Center out of Taji. operations for the security of their in Kirkuk Jan. 14. As the training progressed, the nation, sacrificing their personal The commandos performed Air focus transitioned to platoon and safety daily. These elite soldiers Assault training and learned rapid company level operations con- must be physically fit, mentally movement techniques that enable ducted in a simulated urban town, strong, stealthy and swift. them to function as a quick reac- called a MOUT facility. tionary force or as an oper- The commandos completed the ational reserve against un- training by planning and executing suspecting enemy forces. a series of raids against simulated The training began with enemy forces with air assault sup- arduous battalion physical port provided the by the Iraqi Air training for all. Then the Force. noncommissioned officers The 4th Division Commandos are focused on advanced lead- now fully-capable of conducting ership training and squad air assault operations in addition and platoon tactics while to the variety of new critical skills the officers learned staff acquired in the Warrior Training policies and procedures. Program. Advanced training for “This is a good day for our great individuals included country,” said Brig. Gen. Abdulla, countering improvised Commandos practice loading and exiting Mi-17 heli- commander of the Kirkuk Train- explosive devices, per- ing Center. “The training received copters during the static training portion of the War- forming communication rior Training at the K-1 Training Center in Kirkuk. in the Warrior Training Program is (Photo by U.S. Army Maj. Thomas Parker, ITAM-Army procedures and land nav- vital to our efforts in maintaining a Kirkuk K-1 senior advisor) igation. safe and secure Iraq”.

The Advisor • February 2010 13 NIIA Nabs Criminals With Modern Technology

By Special Agent Michael Milner sion - Intel Advisor Kris Berceli. The investigative team moves “Train capable DOMEX teams for with speed and precision as they deployment now, and train Iraqi execute a search warrant on the DOMEX instructors for the suspect’s apartment. future.” Meticulous planning has paid Two groups of NIIA per- off, and the team finds the sus- sonnel have completed pect there with his cell phone the training. They NIIA’s in hand. They use an array of inaugural DOMEX team high-tech gadgets and quickly became fully operational extract evidence from the cell with delivery of the first kit phone that definitively links Dec. 7, 2009. him to a previous bomb- “The DOMEX teams give ing and helps prevent a NIIA the ability to bet- future one--just in time. ter exploit evidence col- This is not an episode lected from crime scenes of “NCIS” or “24.” On and searches,” said Maj. Gen. the contrary, it is a glimpse Hadi Allami, general direc- into the world of one of the tor of technical affairs for new document and media NIIA. “Most importantly, this exploitation teams working will help us solve more in Iraq’s National Infor- crimes and preempt mation and Investigation future ones.” Agency. As the only Ministry of DOMEX is the latest tool Interior agency selected that NIIA can use to sup- to receive DOMEX as identification cards, passports, port its national-level investiga- capability, NIIA will provide this address books and maps, and tions and criminal intelligence support to all MoI operational DOMEX gear can rapidly scan collection and analysis. and investigative elements. these items for later analysis and The teams are trained and outfit- translation. ITAM-Intel’s goals for NIIA in- ted with cutting edge technology clude fielding 60 teams, delivering Learning how to use the DO- to process documents, cellular 75 kits and establishing a multi- MEX kits is just part of an overall phones and other media for intel- agency DOMEX Fusion Center by NIIA training program focused ligence or criminal investigation December 2011, which will bring on collecting evidence in a foren- purposes. key MoI stakeholders together sically sound manner. The DOMEX kits allow NIIA and allow strategic-level analysis Training consists of an intense investigators to handle the wide of DOMEX evidence. three-week class at Iraq’s Intel- array of media devices used by The arrival of DOMEX brings ligence and Military Security terrorists and criminals through- 21st century evidence exploita- School in Taji, and is scheduled to out Iraq including smart phones, tion into fruition in Iraq. Maybe move to the NIIA Training Center MP3 players, GPS systems and one day, American audiences will in Baghdad in early 2010. digital cameras. watch a TV show about NIIA’s “The DOMEX training meets Valuable evidence and criminal DOMEX teams and investigators two primary needs,” explained intelligence can still be found in fighting crime, solving big cases, Iraq Training and Advisory Mis- traditional paper documents, such and contributing to a safe Iraq.

14 The Advisor • February 2010 RoboCops Clear the Way The iRobot PackBot, also and-surveillance, interrogating controlled by a specialized and detonating IEDs, unexplod- laptop and simple video game ed ordnance, land mines and oth- controller, shares many of the er incendiary devices. same capabilities of the TAL- Both of these machines have ON IV Engineer robot, and helped save many lives due to it can climb stairs, maneuver the multiple missions they per- over rocks and rubble, sand form while the operator controls and mud, open doors and them from a safe distance away, right itself if it falls on its side evaluating the danger zones with while traversing rough ter- real-time audio and video that rain. features both day and night vi- It weighs 55 pounds, can lift sion capabilities. up to 15 pounds, travels up to They are rugged, compact, four miles per hour, and can lightweight, can be hand-carried be transported on the opera- and deployed by a single opera- tors back with straps while be- tor. tween missions. These robots remove IFP EOD They are used in various teams from the most dangerous scenarios from urban combat An iRobot PackBot, climbs stairs and aspects of their missions as they to EOD missions by conduct- opens a door, two of its many valuable persevere for a safer, more secure ing reconnaisance, search- capabilities. (Photo by U.S. Army Capt. Iraq. Keli Chevalier)

By U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Amy E. McLaughlin Iraqi Federal Police Explo- sive Ordnance Disposal spe- cialists have robotic equipment that allows them to interrogate and investigate suspected explosives from a location far away from the potential blast zone. That TALON IV En- gineer robot detects and clears mines, unexploded ordnance and improvised explosive devices while the operator controls it remote- ly with a specialized laptop console. It weighs 120 pounds, can lift up to 25 pounds and can An Iraqi Federal Police Explosive Ordance Disposal team member watches live travel up to five miles per video feed on the specialized laptop computer that controls the TALON IV Engi- hour. neer robot. (Photo by U.S. Army Capt. Keli Chevalier) The Advisor • February 2010 15 Representatives from Iraqi tribes release white birds to initiate the Police Day celebration. (Photo coutesy Iraq Ministry of Interior)

16 The Advisor • February 2010 BPC Celebrates Police Day By U.S. Army Capt. Keli Chevalier The Iraq Ministry of Interior celebrated the 88th anniversary of the Iraqi police force and the largest graduating class ever from the Baghdad Police College on Police Day Jan. 9. Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki and Minister of Interior Jawad Al-Bulani congratulated the 3,200 graduates who filled the viewing stands and formed the units on the parade field. Maj. Gen. Dr. Jassim Hassan Atlyia, president and director of the Baghdad Police College also commended the hard work and efforts of the graduates and wished them well as they embark on their new careers. He noted that it has taken the partnership with the U.S. and other multi-national advisors to reach this success. “After five years of working with our advisors there is mutual agreement on what the police need,” said Jassim. “I believe this graduating class is ready for anything.” Iraqi Police from all 18 provinces participated in a large parade with the graduates. There were representatives from the National Police, Division of Border Enforcement, SWAT, Iraqi Civil Defense, Emergency Response Unit and the River Police who paraded their equipment and vehicles. Additionally, the crowd viewed several capability demonstrations, which are showcased on the following pages. “The purpose of these demonstrations and the parade was more than merely showing Iraq’s new equipment to the world,” said Jassim. ”We want to have a show of force and to educate the public.” “We want to communicate MoI efforts,” said Maj. Gen. Riyadh Abdul-Baqi Salman, Dean of the Baghdad Police College, “and we want the people to appreciate our efforts.”

Photo by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Amy E. McLaughlin

The Advisor • February 2010 17 18 The Advisor • February 2010 Photos by U.S. Air Force Senior Airman A.J. Hyatt and U.S. Army Army Staff Sgt. Amy E. McLaughlin

Police Day at a Glance (Clockwise from top left) observing the Police Day events Iraqi River Police proudly from the stands. salute the distinguished guests Iraqi Police brigades stood in the audience of the Police Day at attention in a formation that celebration. stretched across the parade field. The Iraqi Police Quick Response Female Federal Shurta graduates Brigade passes the reviewing disassemble their weapons in stand in their boldly-decorated less than nine seconds while vehicle. blindfolded as part of the Police A personal security team Day celebration. protects their assigned VIP in a A SWAT brigade marches past demonstration as part of the Police the reviewing stand. Day celebration. Top graduates are recognized for Baghdad Police College students their outstanding achievements. show their national pride while

The Advisor • February 2010 19

Iraqi Federal Policemen break fluorescent light bulbs with swift kicks in a mixed martial arts performance at a recent Al Furat Training Academy graduation (Photo by Sgt. Ferdinand Thomas, AFN Iraq)

20 The Advisor • February 2010