Iraqi soldiers mentored by British pass out at military parade

[Anth]

Three hundred and fifty four Iraqi Army soldiers and non commissioned officers mentored by soldiers from the 1st Battalion the Kings Own Royal Border Regiment (1KORBR) have passed out from basic training.

General Abdul Latif, General Officer Commanding 10th Division takes the salute from the soldier passing out.
[Picture: LA(Phot) Dave Griffiths, PIC, Basrah]

The completion of their basic training means that the Iraqi Army's 2nd Battalion, 3rd Brigade and 10th Division are now at full strength. The soldiers marked the completion of their course with a passing out parade at the Iraqi Army Basic Training Centre at Camp Ur, Tallil in Southern Iraq. The newly qualified soldiers will now be moving to join their Battalion in the Dhi Qar Province.

The soldiers had to successfully complete an arduous six week course where they learned basic infantry skills and counter-terrorist tactics. The courses were delivered by Iraqi Army staff at the Basic Training Centre, mentored by a Military Transition Team of 20 soldiers from 1KORBR

Four weeks of basic training were followed by a further two weeks of specialist training in areas such as advanced infantry tactics, first aid, administration, security, military transport, running an armoury and military policing. In addition, the non-commissioned officers undertook a further two weeks of leadership training.

Iraqi Army recruits from 2nd Battalion and 3rd Brigade during training.
[Picture: LA(Phot) Dave Griffiths, PIC, Basrah]

The soldiers on parade marched past the assembled dignitaries and guests, accompanied by a band and led by standard bearers and flags of Iraq and the Basic Training Centre.

The salute was taken by General Abdul Latif, General Officer Commanding 10th Division and Colonel Kassim Shaheen Breesham, the Commandant of the Basic Training Centre.

The parade was followed by a series of demonstrations from the Basic Training Centre’s Demonstration Platoon including response drills to a terrorist ambush and a section attack on a terrorist position.

Speaking of the significance of the passing out parade General Latif said:

"This parade is an important day for these soldiers. It marks the end of an intensive period of training as they begin their new career in the Iraqi Army.

"It’s also an important day for the Division as well. As we get towards being at full strength, we can increasingly take on more responsibility for the planning and conducting of security operations within our area of responsibility in conjunction with other Iraqi Security Forces and with support from the Multi National Forces where needed.

"The Iraqi Army in conjunction with other parts of the Iraqi Security Forces is providing the first line of defence against terrorists who threaten peace and stability and the right of the Iraqi people to decide their own future to build a peaceful and prosperous Iraq."

General Abdul Latif, General Officer Commanding 10th Division takes the salute from the soldier passing out.
[Picture: LA(Phot) Dave Griffiths, PIC, Basrah]

Prizes were presented to the best recruits on the course. In addition, awards were also made to Sergeant Tony Evans, 29 from Fleetwood and Colour Sergeant Paul Keeble, 37 from Burnley, from the KORBR, in recognition of their work in mentoring the Demonstration Platoon and the Basic Training Company.

Major Phil Nathan, Officer Commanding the Military Transition Team commented:

"The passing out of the latest group of soldiers is a very important step for the Iraqi Army. It means that the 3rd Iraqi Army Brigade will be nearly up to full strength and is in a position to become fully operational in the near future. The standard of recruits passing out and the training being delivered by staff at the Basic Training Centre is improving all the time.

"The Iraqi training staff are becoming increasingly competent and proficient and they are getting better at devising, drawing up and implementing lesson plans. We are steadily moving from a position of mentoring the training teams to more of a monitoring role."

Colonel Kassim, the Commandant of the Basic Training Centre believes the parade was a proud moment for the recruits and for instructors at the Centre:

The Basic Training Centre Demonstration Company respond to a mock terrorist attack.
[Picture: LA(Phot) Dave Griffiths, PIC, Basrah]

"The soldiers passing out have worked very hard and their dedication has seen them achieve the high standards in their training that are essential in building and determining the future of the new Iraqi Army.

"The recruits passing out have been trained by Iraqi Army staff from the Basic Training Centre who are mentored by soldiers from the 1st Battalion the Kings Own Royal Border Regiment. Increasingly we are taking the lead in the training of our own soldiers and officers and devising our own training programmes."

Colonel Kassim, who has just returned from a visit to training establishments in the UK to see how basic training is conducted in Britain, added:

"My recent visit to the UK was very useful indeed. It gave me a valuable insight into the training techniques and methods used in the UK. I was very impressed by the standard of the training and it has certainly given me a lot of ideas that can be implemented here at the Basic Training Centre in Tallil to further enhance the training we provide."

MoD News Link