Iraqi ArmyFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Active 1917 - 2003, 2003 - present

Size some 160,000[1]

Headquarters Baghdad

Anniversaries January 6[2]

Engagements Yom Kippur War, Iran-Iraq War, Gulf War, Iraq War

Commander of the Army[1] Lieutenant General Ali Ghaidan Majid [3]

The Iraqi Army is the land component of the Iraqi military, active in various forms since being formed by the British during their mandate over the country after World War I. Today, it is a component of the Iraqi security forces tasked with assuming responsibility for all Iraqi land-based military operations following the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Because of the ongoing Iraqi insurgency, the Iraqi Army is designed to be an objective counter-insurgency force for a period of time until the insurgency is diminished to a level that the police can handle.[4] Thereafter, the Iraqi Army will undergo a modernization plan which includes purchasing more heavy equipment. The Army is currently being developed by the Multi-National Security Transition Command - Iraq (MNSTC-I) commanded by US Army Lieutenant General Michael D. Barbero.History From 1533 to 1918, Iraq was under the rule of the Ottoman Empire. Iraqis fought as part of the Ottoman Army. After 1917, Britain took control of the country. The first Iraqi military forces established by the British were the Iraq Levies, several battalions of troops tasked to guard the Royal Air Force bases from which the British controlled Iraq. The threat of war with Turkey, who claimed the Ottoman vilayet of Mosul as part of their country, led the British to form the Iraqi Army proper on the 6th of January 1921. The Musal Al-Kadhum Brigade consisted on ex-Iraqi-Ottoman Officers, whose Barracks were located in Al Kazemiyah, and an air force six years later.[5]

Royal Iraqi Army In August 1921, the British established Hashemite King Faisal I as the client ruler of the British Mandate of Iraq. Faisal had been forced out as the King of Syria by the French. Likewise, British authorities selected Sunni Arab elites from the region for appointments to government and ministry offices in Iraq. The Kingdom of Iraq was granted official independence in 1932 in accordance with the Anglo-Iraqi Treaty signed by the United Kingdom in 1930, whereby the United Kingdom would end its official mandate on the condition that the Iraqi government would allow British advisers to take part in government affairs, allow British military bases to remain, and a requirement that Iraq assist the United Kingdom in wartime. [6] Upon achieving independence in 1932, political tensions arose over the continued British presence in Iraq, with Iraq's government and politicians split between those considered pro-British politicians such as Nuri as-Said who did not oppose a continued British presence and anti-British politicians, such as Rashid Ali al-Gaylani, who demanded that remaining British influence in the country be removed. [7] From 1936 to 1941, five coups by the Royal Iraqi Army (RIrA) occurred during each year led by the chief officers of the Army against the government to pressure the government to concede to Army demands.[7] During the 1941 Iraqi coup d'état Prime Minister Taha al-Hashimi resigned and Rashid Ali al-Gaylani took his place. Ali did not overthrow the monarchy, but installed a more compliant Regent, and attempted to restrict the rights of the British under the treaty from 1930.Anglo-Iraqi War Notable early RIrA operations included the May 1941 Anglo-Iraqi War, during which the Iraqi Army had four infantry divisions[8] with some 60,000 men.[9] At full strength, each division had three brigades. The Iraqi 1st and 3rd Divisions were stationed in Baghdad. Also based within Baghdad was the Independent Mechanized Brigade comprising a light tank company, an armoured car company, two battalions of "mechanized" infantry transported in trucks, a "mechanized" machine-gun company, and a "mechanized" artillery brigade. The Iraqi 2nd Division was stationed in Kirkuk, and the 4th Division was in Al Diwaniyah, on the main rail line from Baghdad to Basra. As noted above, all these "mechanized" units were transported by trucks. On April 30 the RIrA established itself on the high ground to the south of RAF Habbaniya. An Iraqi envoy was sent to demand that no movements, either ground or air, were to take place from the base. The British refused the demand and then themselves demanded that the units of the RIrA leave the area at once. After a further ultimatum given in the early hours of May 2 expired, at 0500 hours the British began bombing the Iraqi troops threatening the base. Hostilities lasted from 2 May to 30 May 1941. Rashid Ali al-Gaylani fled and, after his departure, the British would continue to occupy Iraq for many years afterward. [citation needed] After the Anglo-Iraqi War ended, Nuri as-Said returned as Prime Minister and dominated the politics of Iraq until the overthrow of the monarchy and his assassination in 1958. Nuri as-Said pursued a largely pro-western policy during this period.[10]

1948 Arab-Israeli War In the 1948 Arab-Israeli War the Iraqis deployed an expeditionary force which peaked at 15-18,000 men. [11]

In 1948, Iraq had an army of 21,000 men in 12 brigades and the Royal Iraqi Air Force had 100 planes, mostly British. Initially the Iraqis committed around 3,000[12] men to the war effort including four infantry brigades, one armoured battalion and support personnel. These forces were to operate under Jordanian guidance[13] During the first truce the Iraqis increased their force to about 10,000.[14] Ultimately, the Iraqi expeditionary force numbered around 15,000 to 18,000 men. [15] The first Iraqi forces to be deployed reached Jordan in April 1948 under the command of General Nur ad-Din Mahmud. On 15 May, Iraqi engineers built a pontoon bridge across the Jordan River and attacked the Israeli settlement of Gesher with little success. Following this defeat Iraqi forces moved into the Nablus-Jenin-Tulkarm strategic triangle, where they suffered heavy casualties in the Israeli attack on Jenin which began on 3 June, but they managed to hold on to their positions. Active Iraqi involvement in the war effectively ended at this point. [16]

Republic Declared The Hashemite monarchy lasted until 1958, when it was overthrown through a coup d'état by the Iraqi Army, known as the 14 July Revolution. King Faisal II of Iraq along with members of the royal family were executed. The coup brought Abd al-Karim Qasim to power. He withdrew from the Baghdad Pact and established friendly relations with the Soviet Union. When Qāsim distanced himself from Abd an-Nāsir, he faced growing opposition from pro-Egypt officers in the Iraqi army. `Arif, who wanted closer cooperation with Egypt, was stripped of his responsibilities and thrown in prison. When the garrison in Mosul rebelled

against Qāsim's policies, he allowed the Kurdish leader Barzānī to return from exile in the Soviet Union to help suppress the pro-Nāsir rebels. The creation of a new division, the fifth, of mechanized infantry, was announced on 6 January 1959, Army Day. [17]

Qāsim was also promoted to the rank of general. In 1961 an Army buildup close to Kuwait, in conjunction with Iraqi claims over the small neighbouring state, led to a crisis, with British forces (land, sea, and air) deployed to Kuwait for a period. In 1961, Kuwait gained independence from Britain and Iraq claimed sovereignty over Kuwait. As in the 1930s, Qasim based Iraq's claim on the assertion that Kuwait had been a district of the Ottoman province of Basra, unjustly severed by the British from the main body of Iraqi state when it had been created in the 1920s. [18] Britain reacted strongly to Iraq's claim and sent troops to Kuwait to deter Iraq. Qāsim was forced to back down and in October 1963, Iraq recognized the sovereignty of Kuwait. Qāsim was assassinated in February 1963, when the Ba'ath Party took power under the leadership of General Ahmed Hasan al-Bakr (prime minister) and Colonel Abdul Salam Arif (president). Nine months later `Abd as-Salam Muhammad `Arif led a successful coup against the Ba'ath government. On 13 April 1966, President Abdul Salam Arif died in a helicopter crash and was succeeded by his brother, General Abdul Rahman Arif. Following the Six Day War of 1967, the Ba'ath Party felt strong enough to retake power (17 July 1968). Ahmad Hasan al-Bakr became president and chairman of the Revolutionary Command Council (RCC).Six Day War During the Six Day War, 100 Iraqi tanks and an infantry division were readied near the Jordanian border. The Iraqis were supposed to be the main Arab strength on the Jordanian front, but the strong Iraqis columns never reached their destination in time. Repeated Israeli airstrikes held them up so that by the time they did reach the Jordan River the entire West Bank was in Israeli hands. During the course of the Jordanian Campaign ten Iraqis were killed and 30 Iraqis were wounded, especially as the main battle was in Jerusalem. Fighting also raged in other areas of the West Bank, where Iraqi commandos and Jordanian soldiers defended their positions.[19] Barzānī and the Kurds who had begun a rebellion in 1961 were still causing problems in 1969. The secretary-general of the Ba`th party, Saddam Hussein, was given responsibility to find a solution. It was clear that it was impossible to defeat the Kurds by military means and in 1970 a political agreement was reached between the rebels and the Iraqi government. Following the Arab defeat in 1967, Jordan became a hotbed of Palestinian resistance. During this time PLO elements attempted to create a Palestinian state within Jordan caused the Jordanians to launch their full military force against the PLO. As they were doing this Syria invaded Jordan and Iraq moved a brigade in Rihab, Jordan.[citation needed] Otherwise the only Iraqi activity was that they fired upon some Jordanian aircraft. In July 1979, President Ahmed Hassan al-Bakr resigned, and his chosen successor, Saddam Hussein, assumed the offices of both President and Chairman of the Revolutionary Command Council. He was the de facto ruler of Iraq for some years before he formally came to power.Iran-Iraq war Later, Saddam Hussein, looking to build fighting power against Iran soon after the outbreak of the Iran–Iraq War doubled the size of the Iraqi army from 1981, when it numbered 200,000 soldiers in 12 divisions and 3 independent brigades, to 1985, when it had 500,000 men in 23 divisions and nine brigades. The war came at a great cost in lives and economic damage - a half a million Iraqi and Iranian soldiers as well as civilians are believed to have died in the war with many more injured and wounded - but brought neither reparations nor change in borders. The conflict is often compared to World War I,[20] in that the tactics used closely mirrored those of the 1914-1918 war, including large scale trench warfare, manned machine-gun posts, bayonet charges, use of barbed wire across trenches and on no-mans land, human wave attacks and Iraq's extensive use of chemical weapons (such as mustard gas) against Iranian troops and civilians as well as Iraqi Kurds.Invasion of Kuwait and Gulf War By the eve of the Invasion of Kuwait which led to the 1991 Gulf War, the Army had 1,000,000 men, 42 infantry and seven armoured divisions, and 20 special forces brigades, grouped in seven corps, plus six Iraqi Republican Guard divisions.[21] Although it was said at the time in Western media that Iraqi troops numbered approximately 545,000 (even 600,000) today most experts think that both the qualitative and quantitative descriptions of the Iraqi army at the time were exaggerated, as they included both temporary and auxiliary support elements. Many of the Iraqi troops were also young, under-resourced and poorly trained conscripts. Hussein did not trust the army; among counterbalancing security forces was the Iraqi Popular Army. The widespread support for Iraq during the Iran-Iraq war meant Iraq had military equipment from almost every major dealer of the world's weapons market. This resulted in a lack of standardization in this large heterogeneous force, which additionally suffered from poor training and poor motivation. The majority of Iraqi armoured forces still used old Chinese Type 59s and Type 69s, Soviet-made T-55s from the 1950s and 1960s, and some T-72s from the 1970s in 1991. These machines were not equipped with up-to-date equipment, such as thermal sights or laser rangefinders, and their effectiveness in modern combat was very limited. The Iraqis failed to find an effective countermeasure to the thermal sights and the sabot rounds used by the M1 Abrams, Challenger 1 and the other Coalition tanks. This equipment enabled Coalition tanks to effectively engage and destroy Iraqi tanks from more than three times the distance that Iraqi tanks could engage. The Iraqi tank crews used old, cheap steel penetrators against the advanced Chobham Armour of these US and British tanks, with disastrous results. The Iraqi forces also failed to utilize the advantage that could be gained from using urban warfare — fighting within Kuwait City — which could have inflicted significant casualties on the attacking forces. Urban combat reduces the range at which fighting occurs and can negate some of the technological advantage that well equipped forces enjoy. Iraqis also tried to use Soviet military doctrine, but the implementation failed due to the lack of skill of their commanders and the preventive air strikes of the USAF on communication centers and bunkers. The exact number of Iraqi combat casualties is unknown, but known to be heavy. Immediate estimates said up to 100,000 Iraqis were killed. Some now estimate that Iraq sustained between 20,000 and 35,000 fatalities. However other figures still maintain fatalities as high as 200,000. [22] A report commissioned by the U.S. Air Force, estimated 10,000-12,000 Iraqi combat deaths in the air campaign and as many as 10,000 casualties in the ground war.[23] This analysis is based on Iraqi prisoner of war reports. It is known that between 20,000 and 200,000 Iraqi soldiers were killed. According to the Project on Defense Alternatives study, [24] 3,664 Iraqi civilians and between 20,000 and 26,000 military personnel were killed in the conflict. 75,000 Iraqi soldiers were wounded in the fighting.Between the Gulf Wars The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) estimated the Army's composition immediately after the 1991 War as 6 'armoured'/'mechanised' divisions, 23 infantry divisions, 8 Republican Guard divisions and four Republican Guard internal security divisions.[25] Jane's Defence Weekly for 18 July 1992 stated that 10,000 troops from 5 divisions were fighting against Shia Moslems in the southern marshlands. The IISS gave the Iraqi Army's force structure as of 1 July 1997 as seven Corps headquarters, six armoured or mechanised divisions, 12 infantry divisions, 6 RGF divisions, four Special Republican Guard Brigades, 10 commando, and two Special Forces Brigades.[26] It was estimated to number 350,000 personnel, including 100,000 recently recalled reservists.Second Gulf War In the days leading up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq and the following Iraq War, the Army consisted of 375,000 troops, organized into 5 corps. In all, there were 11 infantry divisions, 3 mechanized divisions, and 3 armored divisions. The

Republican Guard consisted of between 50,000 and 60,000 troops (although some sources indicate a strength of up to 80,000). In January 2003, before the beginning of the Second Gulf War, the force was primarily located in eastern Iraq. The 5 corps were organised as follows:

1st Corps, near Kirkuk consisted of the 5th Mechanized Division, 2nd Infantry Division, 8th Infantry Division and the 38th Infantry Division.

2nd Corps, near Diyala, had the 3rd Armored Division, 15th Infantry Division, and 34th Infantry Division. 3rd Corps, near An Nasiriyah, had the 6th Armored Division, the 51st Mechanized Division, and the 11th Infantry

Division. 4th Corps, near Amarah, included the 10th Armored Division, 14th Infantry Division and 18th Infantry Division. 5th Corps, near Mosul, had the 1st Mechanized Division, and the 4th, 7th, and 16th Infantry Divisions. In addition, there

was an armored infantry division or battlegroup in western Iraq. The Iraqi Army was disbanded by Coalition Provisional Authority Order Number 2 issued by U.S. Administrator of Iraq Paul Bremer on May 23, 2003 after its decisive defeat during the Second Gulf War. [27] Bremer said that it was not feasible to reconstitute the armed forces. His justifications for the disbandment included postwar looting, which had destroyed all the bases; that the largely Shiite draftees of the army would not respond to a recall plea from their former commanders, who were primarily Sunnis, and that recalling the army would be a political disaster because to the vast majority of Iraqis it was a symbol of the old Baathist-led Sunni ascendancy..."[28]

Reformation of the Army Based on Bush administration expectations that coalition forces would be welcomed as liberators after the overthrow of the Hussein regime, prewar planners had only been expecting minimal if any resistance from the Iraqi people. Thus the new army was initially focused on external defence operations. The new Army was originally intended to comprise of 27 battaions in 3 divisions numbering 40,000 soldiers in 3 years time. Vinnell Corporation was engaged to train the first nine battalions. The Coalition Military Assistance Training Team, headed by Maj. Gen. Paul Eaton, was the organization set up by the United States military with the responsibility of training and development of the new army. On August 2, 2003, the first battalion of New Iraqi Army recruits started a 9-week training course at a training base in Kir Kush. They graduated on October 4, 2003.[29] On April 5, 2004, several Iraqi battalions refuse to fight as part of the force engaged in the First Battle of Fallujah.[citation needed] In June 2004, the CMATT was dissolved, and passed on its responsibilities to the MNSTC-I (initially headed by Lt. Gen. David Petraeus) with the new focus on providing security for the Iraqi people from the emerging threat posed by the Iraqi insurgency.[30] While the regular army was being formed, U.S. commanders around the country needed additional troops more quickly, and thus the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps, later to become the Iraqi National Guard was formed. Coalition commander formed these militia-type units separately in each area; only later were they gradually brought together as one force. There were several instances where they have refused to take military action against fellow Iraqis, such as in Fallujah, deserted, or allegedly aided the resistance. It is alleged that most guardsmen were drawn from the Shia majority in Southern Iraq or the Kurdish majority in northern Iraq, rather than from the Sunni area which they were ordered to attack. In September 2004, a senior member of the National Guard, General Talib al-Lahibi was arrested on suspicion of having links with insurgent groups.[4]. In December 2004, it was announced that the Iraqi National Guard would be dissolved [5]. At this time its strength was officially over 40,000 men. Its units became part of the Army. On August 14, 2004, the NATO Training Mission - Iraq was established to assist the Iraqi military, including the Army. On September 20 the provisional Fallujah Brigade disbanded after being sent in to secure the city. On May 3, 2006 a significant command-and-control development took place. The Iraqi Army command and control center opened in a ceremony at the Iraqi Ground Forces Command (IFGC) headquarters at Camp Victory.[31] The IGFC was established to exercise command and control of assigned Iraqi Army forces and, upon assuming Operational Control, to plan and direct operations to defeat the Iraqi insurgency. At the time, the IFGC was commanded by Lt. Gen. Abdul-Qadar. In 2006 the ten planned divisions began to be certified and assume battlespace responsibility: the 6th and 8th before June 26, 2006, the 9th on June 26, 2006, the 5th on July 3, 2006, the 4th on August 8, 2006, and the 2nd on December 21, 2006. After divisions were certified, they began to be transferred from U.S. operational control to Iraqi control of the IGFC. The 8th Division was transferred on September 7, 2006, [32] and the 3rd Division on December 1, 2006. Another unspecified division also was transferred to IGFC control.[33] Also transferred to the Iraqi chain of command were smaller logistics units: on November 1, 2006, the 5th Motor Transport Regiment (MTR) was the fifth of 9 MTRs to be transferred to the Iraqi Army divisions. 2007 plans included, MNF-I said, great efforts to make the Iraqi Army able to sustain itsself logistically. [34] As of June 26, 2006, three Iraqi divisions, 18 brigades and 69 battalions were in control of battlespace (including two police commando battalions). [35] Transfers of divisions to IGFC control continued in 2007: the 1st Division on February 15, the 10th Division on February 23, and the 7th Division on November 1. The new 14th Division also held its opening ceremony in Basrah on November 14, 2007.[36]

2008 On March 25, 2008, the Iraqi Army launched its first solely planned and executed high-profile division-level operation, Operation Charge of the Knights in Basra. They received Coalition support only in air support, logistics and via embedded advisors. Also, a British infantry brigade, part of Multi-National Division South-East, and stationed in Basra, were ready in a tactical overwatch role but did not need to intervene.

April-June – Two brigades of the Iraqi Army 11th Division, supported by US forces, move into the southern third of Sadr City in an attempt to stop rocket and mortar attacks on US bases and the Green Zone. Following the Siege of Sadr City - a month of fighting - the Mahdi Army agrees to let Iraqi forces into the remaining portion of the city. On May 20, troops from the Iraqi Army 3rd Brigade of the 1st QRF division and a brigade from the 9th Division move into the northern districts of Sadr City and begin clearing operations.

May – Iraqi army forces launch Operation Lion's Roar (later renamed to Operation Mother of Two Springs) in Mosul and surrounding areas of Nineva province. Iraq became one of the top current purchasers of U.S. military equipment with their army trading its AK-47 assault rifles for the more accurate U.S. M-16 and M-4 rifles, among other equipment.[37]

In June 2008 the Army moved troops to the southern Maysan province. Following a 4 day amnesty for insurgents to turn over weapons, the Iraqi Army moved into the provincial capital Amarah.Structural capacities still lacking within the Army include the lack of any formalized apparatus for the collection of military intelligence. Currently it must rely on intelligence provided by the United States for the majority of its operations. Developing a professional intelligence corps to augment the effectiveness of the Iraqi Army remains an ongoing challenge. In addition, the Army presently must rely on US logistical support to conduct the majority of its operations [38]. It currently lacks critical support services

such as transportation, medevac capabilities, and medical logistics. Until the Iraqi Army can develop these capabilities, it will continue to depend on US forces for support. A military justice system also remains to be developed. Two further problems are infiltration and an insufficient U.S. advisory effort. The Army is widely known to have been infiltrated by a multitude of groups ranging from local militias to foreign insurgents. This has led to highly publicized deaths and compromised operations (perhaps the most prominent being the 2004 attack on a US military base near Mosul in December 2004. More than 20 people, including 13 American servicemen, were killed when a suicide bomber wearing an Iraqi military uniform detonated his vest inside a dining tent.[39]).StructureThe Plan According to the U.S. Department of Defense, the Iraqi Army will in the end state be an approximately 300,000-person force based around an Army with 10 infantry divisions and 6 mechanized infantry division consisting of 36 brigades and 113 battalions (91 infantry, 12 special forces, 5 mechanized infantry, 60 armored battalions, 1 security). Nine Motorized Transportation Regiments, 5 logistics battalions, 2 support battalions, 5 Regional Support Units (RSUs), and 91 Garrison Support Units (GSUs) are intended to provide logistics and support for each division, with Taji National Depot providing depot-level maintenance and resupply. Each battalion, brigade, and division headquarters will be supported by a Headquarters and Service Company (HSC) providing logistical and maintenance support to its parent organization. The Army will also include 17 SIBs and a Special Operations Forces Brigade consisting of two special operational battalions.[4]

Current Status The Iraqi Army has 14 divisions, 56 brigades, and 185 combat battalions. The 6th Division, 12th Division, and the 17th Division are still missing their fourth maneuver brigades. Three of the 56 brigades are not Iraqi Ground Forces Command combatant brigades and are not assigned to a division. They are the Baghdad Brigade formed in the fall of 2008, the 1st Presidential Brigade formed in January 2008, and the new 2nd Presidential Brigade formed in the spring of 2009. These three independent “praetorian” security brigades are still building and only have six combat battalions between them. Budget problems are continuing to hinder the manning of combat support and combat service support units. The lack of soldiers entering boot camp is forcing Iraqi leaders at all levels to face the dual challenge of manning and training enabler units out of existing manpower. Divisions are forming engineer, logistics, mortar, and other units by identifying over-strength units, such as the Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) battalions and other headquarters elements, and then transferring them as needed. Recently, the Ministry of Defense issued an order to all Iraqi Army divisions requiring analysis on the effect of dissolving the 4th Battalion in each brigade and using those soldiers to man enabler units throughout the IA. The new army continues preparation for the fielding of 120mm mortar batteries and 81mm mortar platoons. The start of unit mortar fielding was planned in July 2008. The Iraqi Special Operations Forces are a Ministry of Defence (Iraq) funded component that reports directly to the Prime Minister of Iraq. The new Army excludes recruits that are former regime security and intelligence organizations members, personnel of the Special Republican Guard, top-level Ba'ath Party members, and Ba'ath Party security and militia organizations. [40]

Deployment As of August 2009, the 253,000 soldiers of the Iraqi Army were organized as follows: Four regional commands. The Baghdad Operational Command falls under the direct command of the prime minister in the

National Operations Center, while the other three commands fall under the command of the Iraqi Ground Forces Command.

13 divisions (1st-14th, the designation 13 not being used). [41] Each Iraqi army division has four line brigades, an engineering regiment, and a support regiment. In 2009, a field artillery regiment will be added to each division, with an artillery battalion added to each brigade.[42]

105 combat battalions. National Operations Center – Baghdad

o Baghdad Operational Command – Baghdad[43] Karkh Area Command (KAC) - Western Baghdad. Responsible for the Kadhimiyah, Karkh,

Mansour, Bayaa, and Doura Security Districts. Rusafa Area Command (RAC) - Eastern Baghdad. Responsible for the Adhamiyah, Rusafa, Sadr

City, New Baghdad, and Karadah Security Districts. 6th Motorized Division: – Western Baghdad – previously commanded by Major General Mubdar

Hatim al-Dulaimi (killed 2006) 1 (Cobras) Motorized Bde 2 Brigade. Now not listed as active. Established October 2004 by Jawad Rumi Daini (ref at

article). 3 (Muthanna) Motorized Bde [44] - Commanded by Staff Brigadier General Nassir al-Hiti. 4 (Baghdad Eagles) Commando (AAslt) Bde 5 (Defenders of Baghdad) Infantry (AAslt) Bde

9th Armored Division – Taji – Division certified and assumes responsibility of the battle space of north Baghdad Governorate June 26, 2006.[45]

1 (Desert Lions) Mech Bde 2 Armored Bde - Attached to 2nd Division, Mosul 3 Armored Bde - Attached to 14th Division, Basra 4 Cavalry Bde - Attached to 2nd Division, Mosul

11th Infantry Division (Probably planned to become an Armored Division) – East Baghdad 1 (Tigers) Infantry Bde - Adhamiyah (NE Baghdad) 2 Infantry Bde - Western Baghdad 3 Infantry Bde - Sadr City 4 Infantry Bde - Eastern Baghdad

15th Division – South of Baghdad (forming)Ramadi Iraqi Ground Force Command (IGFC)[46]

o Northern Operational Command - Samarra Ninewa Operational Command[47] - Mosul

2nd Infantry Division – Mosul – certified and assumes operational responsibility for counter-insurgency operations in the city of Mosul on December 21, 2006.[48]

1 (Citadel) Motorized Bde 2 (Scorpions) Infantry (AAslt) Bde 3 Infantry Bde 4 Infantry Bde 2nd Motor Transport Regiment

3rd Motorized Division – Al-Kasik 1 Motorized Bde 2 (Desert Lion) Motorized Bde 3 Motorized Bde 4 Bde (forming) 3rd Motor Transport Regiment

16th Division – Ibril or Dohuk (transfer from KRG/Forming) 17th Division – Ibril or Dohuk (transfer from KRG/Forming)

Diyala Operational Command - Sulamaniyah, Diyala, Kirkuk, Salahadin[49] 4th Division (Probably being upgraded to Mech) – Tikrit – certified and assumed

responsibility for most of Salah ad Din Governorate and At-Ta'mim Governorate provinces, including the major cities Samarra and Tikrit, August 8, 2006.[50]

1 Motorized (AAslt) Bde 2 (Eagles) Motorized Bde 3 Infantry Bde 4 Bde (Samara brigade) (forming) 4th Motor Transport Regiment

5th Infantry Division (Iron) – Diyala Governorate – Division is certified and assumes responsibility for the battle space July 3, 2006.[51]

1 Infantry (AAslt) Bde 2 (Desert Lions) Infantry (AAslt) Bde 3 Motorized Bde 4 Motorized Bde 5th Motor Transport Regiment

12th Light Infantry Division (Probably planned to become Mech) – Tikrit Splitting off from 4 Div in mid-2008 1 Light Infantry Brigade (former 1 Strategic Infrastructure Bde) 2 Light Infantry Brigade (former 2 Strategic Infrastructure Bde) 9 Light Infantry Brigade (former 9 Strategic Infrastructure Bde) 4 Bde

o Southern Operational Command - Nasiriyah Basrah IGFC Sector - Basra, al-Muthanna, Maysan, Dhi Qar[52]

Basrah Operational Command – Basrah 10th Division – An Nasiriyah [53]

1 Motorized Bde 2 Infantry Bde 3 Motorized Bde 4 Motorized Bde 10th Motor Transport Regiment

14th Division (Probably planned to become Mechanised) – Basrah[54] 1 Motorized Bde 2 Motorized Bde 3 Motorized Bde 4 Bde (forming mid 2008) 14th Motor Transport Regiment

Mid-Euphrates IGFC Sector - Karbala 8th Infantry Division – Al Kut

1 Motorized Bde 2 Motorized Bde 4 Motorized Bde

o Western Operational Command Ramadi IGFC Sector – Al-Anbar

Anbar Operational Command – Ramadi 1st (Iraqi Intervention Force) Infantry Division – Fallujah – transferred to the Iraqi ground

forces command, February 15, 2007.[55] 1 Infantry Bde - Ramadi 2 Infantry Bde - Lake Thar Thar 3 Motorized Bde - Temporarily assigned to 5th Division in Diyala 4 Bde - forming

7th Infantry Division – Ramadi, West Al Anbar Province – transferred to Iraqi Ground Forces Command, November 1, 2007.[56]

1 Infantry Bde 2 Infantry Bde 3 Infantry Bde 4 Light Armored Cavalry Bde (forming, delayed??)

ISOF Div – o Under training in the US.

Training Training of Iraqi forces was initially done by private contractors, transitioned to coalition forces, and is now done by three Iraqi training battalions. Training has been impeded by domestic instability, infiltration by insurgents, and high desertion rates. [citation

needed] Since June 2004, the partnership between Coalition forces and Iraqi forces has increased due to the growing number of battalions in the Iraqi army, which then stood around 115. Out of this number, it was deemed that 80 of them were able to carry out operations in the field with Coalition support limited to logistics and strategic planning, whilst another 20-30 battlions still needed major Coalition support to carry out their operations. As of October 5, 2005 the New Iraqi Army had 90 battalions trained well enough to be "deployed independently", i.e. without the help of others such as the United States. [57] There are three levels of troop capability in the New Iraqi Army: one, two, and three. Level three refers to troops that have just completed basic training, level two refers to troops that are able to work with soldiers, and level one refers to troops that can work by themselves. Members of NATO's training mission in Iraq (NTM-I) opened a Joint Staff College in ar-Rustamiya in Baghdad on September 27, 2005 with 300 trainers. Training at NATO bases in Norway, Italy, Jordan, Germany, and Egypt have also taken place and 16 NATO countries have allocated forces to the training effort.[58] MNF-Iraq are also conducting ongoing training programs for both enlisted men and officers including training as medics, engineers, quartermasters, military police, and so forth. Outside of the various courses and programs being held in-country, both American staff colleges and military academies have begun taking Iraqi applicants, with Iraqi cadets being enrolled at both the United States Military Academy and the US Air Force Academy.[59]

Recruits and enlisted men Iraqi Army recruits undergo a standard eight week [60] basic training course that includes basic soldiering skills, weapons marksmanship and individual tactics. Former soldiers are eligible for an abbreviated three week "Direct Recruit Replacement Training" course designed to replace regular basic training to be followed by more training once they have been assigned to a unit. Soldiers later go on to enroll in more specific advanced courses targeted for their respective fields. This could involve going to the Military Intelligence School, the Signal School, the Bomb Disposal School, the Combat Arms Branch School, the Engineer School, and the Military Police School.Officers The Iraqi Armed Service and Supply Institute located in Taji plays a significant role in training aspiring Iraqi non-commissioned officers and commissioned officers. The training is based on a Sandhurst model due to its shorter graduation time compared to West Point. CMATT's main recruiting stations are located in Baghdad, Basra and Mosul. The most desired recruits are individuals who have prior military service or are skilled in specific professions such as first aid, heavy equipment operation, food service and truck driving. A recruitment target of approximately one thousand men is desired to eventually form a 757-man battalion. Soldier fallout usually occurs due to voluntary withdrawal or failure to meet training standards. Due to the current demand for these battalions to become active as soon as possible, the first four battalions' officers, non-commissioned officers, and enlisted men are being trained simultaneously (in separate groups). Notable differences in training between CAATT and former training under Saddam's regime include schooling in human rights, the laws of land warfare, and tolerance in a multi-ethnic team. Based on the philosophy used by the U.S. military to boost its own size in response to World War II — that an army can be built faster by focusing on the training on its leadership rather than enlisted men — CMATT has pursued a similar strategy of focusing recruitment and training on commissioned and non-commissioned officers for the remaining 23 Iraqi battalions. Upon successful completion of officer training, these groups of officers will form the battalion's leadership cadre, which will then be responsible for overseeing its own recruitment, training, and readiness of its enlisted men. It is hoped that having the Iraqi leadership train its own will overcome problems faced by CAATT's training process; namely recruitment, desertion, and unit loyalty.Military Transition Teams All Iraqi Army battalions have embedded U.S. Military transition teams, according to the National Strategy for Victory in Iraq. The MiTTs advise their Iraqi battalions in the areas of intelligence, communications, fire support, logistics and infantry tactics. Larger scale operations are often done jointly with American battalions. This operational training aims to make the battalion self-sustainable tactically, operationally and logistically so that the battalion will be prepared to take over responsibility for battle space. The level of the U.S. advisory effort is insufficient. The DOD (as of March '07) reported that 6000 advisors arranged in 480+ teams were embedded with Iraqi units. [61] However, in April, the Congressional Research Service reported that only around 4000 U.S. forces were embedded with Iraqi units at a rate of 10 per battalion. [60] Defense analyst Andrew Krepinevich argued that the roughly twelve advisors per Iraqi battalion (approximately 500 troops) is less than half the sufficient amount needed to efficiently implement the combat advisory effort [62]. Krepinevich argues that officers try to avoid taking on advisory tasks due to the US Army's practice of prioritising the promotion of officers that have served with a U.S. unit over ones that have served with foreign forces.[44]

EquipmentMilitary Strength  

Small Arms

100,000 - 200,000 AK-47, 25,000 M4, 80,000 M16A4, Kbk wz. 1988 Tantal, AKM, Sa vz. 58, SKS, Benelli M4 Super 90, Pistol Mitralieră model 1963/1965, Zastava M70, 20,000 CZ-99, 2,000 Zastava M21, 1,000+ Zastava M84, PK machine gun, Zastava M72, Beretta 92, RPK, RPD, M2 Browning machine gun, DShK, NSV (machine gun), KPV heavy machine gun, RPG-7, Type 69 RPG, 2,550 M203, 150 M79 Rocket Launcher, 160 M90 Rocket Launcher, Tabuk Sniper Rifle, M24 Sniper Weapon System, SVD (rifle), Type 56 assault rifle, Glock pistol, SIG P226, AT4, Beretta M 1951, Škorpion vz. 61, PM-84 Glauberyt, RGD-5, Mk 19 grenade launcher, F1 hand grenade, M16 mine, Valmara 69, PROM-1, M18A1 Claymore Antipersonnel Mine, Lee-Enfield, Karabiner 98k, Mosin-Nagant, SPG-9 24 M134 7.62mm Mini-Gun

Tanks 72 T-55 [63], 210 T-72 [63] , 280 M1A1M on order.

Total: 282

Armoured Personnel Carriers

10,000+ HMMWV, 1,050 Cougar H, 100 Spartan [63] , 98 BTR-80 [63] , 50 BTR-94 [63] , 61 MT-LB [63] , 233 M-113, 60 Saxon (vehicle), 573 Otokar Akrep, 600 Otokar Cobra, 44 Panhard AML , 3961 M1114 [64], 400 M1151 [64], 44 Al-Talha, 200 Reva APC, Mohafiz, 400 Stryker, EE-11 UrutuTotal: 18,193

Armoured fighting vehicles

600 DZIK-3 [63] , 72 Defender-110 [63] , 13 BRDM-2, 35 EE-9 Cascavel, 106 M1117 Armored Security Vehicle 80 more ordered. Total: 1,218

Infantry Fighting Vehicles

434 BMP-1 [63]

Artillery 565 M120 120 mm mortar, 665 M252 MortarAircraft 16 UH-1H, 22 Mil Mi-17, 3 C-130 Hercules, Mil Mi-24, 6 Antonov An-32Trucks 140 Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles, 80 Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical TruckVirtually all of the equipment used by the former Iraqi Army was either destroyed by the U.S. and British during Operation Iraqi Freedom or was looted during the chaotic aftermath shortly after the fall of the Hussein regime. Four T-55 tanks however have been recovered from an old army base in al-Muqdadiyah and are now in service with the 1st Mechanized Division. On February 2, 2004 the U.S government announced that Nour USA was awarded a $327,485,798 contract to procure equipment for both the Iraqi Army and the Iraqi National Guard; however, this contract was canceled in March 2004 when an internal Army investigation (initiated due to complaints from losing bidders) revealed that Army procurement officers in Iraq were violating procedures with sloppy contract language and incomplete paperwork. On May 25, 2004 the U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM) stated that they would award a contract worth $259,321,656 to ANHAM Joint Venture in exchange for procuring the necessary equipment (and providing its required training) for a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 35 battalions. The minimum bid would begin to be delivered immediately and further orders could be placed until the maximum of 35 battalion sets or September 2006 after the first order was fully delivered. In May 2005, Hungary agreed to donate 77 T-72's to the Iraqi Army, with the refurbishment contract going to Defense Solutions to bring the tanks up to operational status for an estimated 4.5 million dollars US. [65] After a delay in the payment of funds from the Iraqi government[66], Iraq's 9th Army Mechanized Division received the tanks at its headquarters in Taji over a three day period starting on November 8, 2005. [65] On July 29, 2005, the United Arab Emirates gained approval to purchase 180 M113A1 APCs in good-condition from Switzerland, with the intent to transfer them to Iraq as a gift. Domestic political opposition successfully froze the sale, fearing that the export would violate the country's longstanding tradition of neutrality as well as perhaps make Switzerland a target for terrorism.[67] 173 M113s, 44 Panhards, and 300 Spartans donated by Jordan, Pakistan and UAE. 600 Dzik-3 (Ain Jaria) APCs were ordered in Poland (option 1200) for delivery by Jan 2007. 573 Akrep APCs for delivery by Jan 2007. 756 Cougar H APCs (option 1050) for delivery by November 2008. 713 M1114s and 400 M1151s purchased for IA with delivery complete by end July 2006. Serbia has signed a US$230m deal with Iraq to sell weapons and military equipment, the defence ministry said in March 2008. It did not specify the weapons but Serbian military experts believe they include Serbian-made CZ-99 hand guns, Zastava M21 5.56 mm assault rifles, Zastava M84 machine guns, anti-tank weapons (M79 "Osa", Bumbar, and M90 "Strsljen"), ammunition and explosives and about 20 Lasta 95 basic trainer aircraft. Iraq's defence Minister Abdul-Qadir al-Obaidi visited Belgrade in September and November to discuss boosting military ties with Serbia. [68][69] In August 2008, the United States has proposed military sales to Iraq, which will include the latest upgraded M1A1 Abrams battle tanks, attack helicopters, Stryker armored vehicles, modern radios, all to be valued at an estimated 2.16 billion dollars. [70] In December 2008 the United States approved a 6 billion dollar arms deal with Iraq that included 140 M1A1 Abrams tanks and 400 Stryker combat vehicles for elite Iraqi army units.[71] In January 2009 U.S. defense companies and Pentagon officials announced that the Iraqi Army is planning to buy up to 2,000 retrofitted Soviet-era T-72M tanks. Redesignated as T-91s, the tanks would form the heavy core of a reconstituted force meant to be able to defend its country after most U.S. forces leave in 2011. The tanks would be bought from Eastern European countries such as the Czech Republic, Poland, Ukraine and Slovakia, and then stripped to their frames and rebuilt under a contract managed by Defense Solutions of Exton, Pa with advanced gun systems, modern armor, and fire control systems to levels almost similar to the M1A1 Abrams. This proposal has since been discredited by Pentagon sources. [72] In February 2009 the US military announced it had struck deals with Iraq that will see Baghdad spend 5 billion dollars on American-made weapons, equipment and training. [73]

Uniforms and personal weapons The average Iraqi soldier is equipped with an assortment of uniforms ranging from the Desert Camouflage Uniform, the 6 color "Chocolate Chip" DBDU and the woodland pattern BDU to the US MARPAT or Jordanian KA7. Nearly all have a PASGT ballistic helmet, generation I OTV ballistic vest and radios. Their light weapons consist of stocks of AKM and Type 56 assault rifles, and American M16A4 rifles and M4 carbines, the latter two to become the standard rifle. Old Soviet PKM machineguns are still used by machine/support gunners and AT soldiers use old and/or captured RPG-7s. However weapons registration is poor. A 2006 report by the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction (SIGIR) notes that out of the 370,000 weapons turned over to the US since the fall of Saddam's regime, only 12,000 serial numbers have been recorded [74]. The lack of proper accounting for these weapons makes the acquisition of small arms by anti governmental forces such as insurgents or sectarian militias much easier.New EquipmentVehicle[22] Origin Type Versions Ordered

ILAV Badger  United States

Mine Resistant Armored Vehicle 109 on order.

Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement

 United States Heavy Transport 41 on order. (replacements)

M1A1 Abrams  United States

Main Battle Tank Modified and Upgraded to

280 on order. 140 to be delivered in 2010 to 2011. Estimated 700 in total to be

M1A1M ordered. 22 currently leased for training.

T-72M1  Russia Main Battle Tank T-72M1 model 70 to be delivered in late 2009.

Armored High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWV)

 United States HMMWV/Multipurpose 64 on order.

M1152  United States

HMMWV/Troop Transport 92 on order.

M577A2  United States Command Post Carrier 12 on order.

M548A1  United States Tracked Logistics Vehicle 16 on order.

M113A2  United States Armored Ambulance 8 on order.

M1070  United States

Heavy Equipment Transporter 35 on order.

M978A2 Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT)

 United States Tanker 40 on order.

M985A2 HEMTT  United States Cargo Truck 36 on order.

M984A2 HEMTT  United States Wrecker Truck 4 on order.

M1085A1  United States 5-ton Cargo Truck 140

MMWV  United States Ambulance 8 on order.

Contact Maintenance Truck  United States Maintenance Truck 8 on order.

BTR-4  Ukraine Armored personnel carrier 420 on order[75]

See also Iraqi Army Ranks Insignia Iraqi Air Force Iraqi Navy

Notes1. ^ a b MilTech World Defence Almanac 2008, Vol. XXXII, No.1, p.268, 269 2. ̂ Al-Marashi, Ibrahim; Sammy Salama (2008). Iraq's Armed Forces: An Analytical History. London and New York:

Routledge. p. 206. ISBN 0-415-40078-3. Al-Marashi and Salama note that the eighty-third anniversary of Iraqi Army Day was celebrated in 2004.

3. ̂ Iraqi Military Faces Hurdles in Its Quest to Take Charge - New York Times 4. ^ a b Measuring Security and Stability in Iraq, August 2006 5. ̂ Kenneth M. Pollack, Arabs at War: Military Effectiveness 1948-91, University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln/London,

2002, p.149 6. ̂ Ghareeb, Edmund A.; Dougherty, Beth K. Historical Dictionary of Iraq. Lanham, Maryland and Oxford: The Scarecrow

Press, Ltd., 2004. Pp. lvii. 7. ^ a b Ghareeb; Dougherty. Pp lvii 8. ̂ Playfair, I.S.O.; and others (2006). The Mediterranean and Middle East, Volume II The Germans come to the help of

their Ally (1941). History of the Second World War, United Kingdom Military Series, Official Campaign History, Naval & Military Press. ISBN 1-84734-427-5, p.182

9. ̂ Lyman, Iraq 1941, p. 25 10. ̂ Ghareeb; Dougherty. Pp lviii 11. ̂ Kenneth M. Pollack, Arabs at War: Military Effectiveness 1948-91, University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln/London,

2002, p.150, 156. 12. ̂ D. Kurzman, 'Genesis 1948', 1972, p. 382. 13. ̂ I. Pappe, "The ethnic cleansing of Palestine", 2006, p. 129. 14. ̂ D. Kurzman, "Genesis 1948", 1972, p. 556. 15. ̂ Pollack, 2002, p. 150. 16. ̂ Pollack, 2002, pp. 149–155. 17. ̂ The Times, 'New Division for Iraq Army,' 7 January 1959 18. ̂ Tripp, Charles. "A History of Iraq" Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2002, p.165

19. ̂ Follow me- The story of the Six Day War 2. Six Day War- Tom Segev 20. ̂ Abrahamian, Ervand, A History of Modern Iran, Cambridge, 2008, p.171 21. ̂ Brassey's, IISS Military Balance 1989-90, p.101 22. ^ a b Robert Fisk, The Great War For Civilisation; The Conquest of the Middle East (Fourth Estate, 2005), p.853. 23. ̂ Keaney, Thomas; Eliot A. Cohen (1993). Gulf War Air Power Survey. United States Dept. of the Air Force. ISBN 0-16-

041950-6. 24. ̂ Wages of War - Appendix 2: Iraqi Combatant and Noncombatant Fatalities in the 1991 Gulf War 25. ̂ IISS Military Balance 1992-3 26. ̂ IISS Military Balance 1997-98 27. ̂ Iraqi Security and Military Force Developments: A Chronology, 2, 4, 6, 7 [1] 28. ̂ http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/06/opinion/06bremer.html?

ex=1346817600&en=278710834dcd1971&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink 29. ̂ http://www.cpa-iraq.org/pressreleases/20031007_Oct-04-NIAGrad.pdf 30. ̂ Kalev Sepp (2005-03-14). "Prepared Statement before the House Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats,

and International Relations regarding the training of Iraqi Security Forces" (PDF). Archived from the original on 2007-02-14. http://web.archive.org/web/20050519205100/http://reform.house.gov/UploadedFiles/Sepp+Testimony.pdf. Retrieved 2008-10-07.

31. ̂ "Iraqi command and control center opens doors amidst turnover of new territory". Multi-National Force - Iraq. 2006-05-04. Archived from the original on 2006-07-08. http://web.archive.org/web/20060708233659/http://www.mnf-iraq.com/Daily/May/060504.htm.

32. ̂ US hands over control of Iraq military|Iraq Updates 33. ̂ Iraqis to Command Four Northern Divisions by February, U.S. General Says, U.S. Department of defense, December 1,

2006 34. ̂ MTRs transferred in order of event: 8th, 4th, 6th, 5th and 1st (2 Nov). IA 5th MTR driving toward success - Daily article

on www.mnf-iraq.com, 20 November 2006. 35. ̂ Pentagon Press Briefing June 23, 2006, with Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and Gen. George Casey 36. ̂ "Operational Update: Gen. Zibari, Adnan al-Asadi, Lt. Gen. Dubik, Maj. Gen. Bergner, Nov. 21", MNF-I Press Briefing

November 21 2007 37. ̂ Iraqi forces load up on U.S. arms 38. ̂ O'Hanlon, Michael, Kenneth Pollack, The Brookings Institution, The Iraq Trip Report, p.6 Aug. 2007 [2] 39. ̂ USATODAY.com, General: Suicide bomber was wearing Iraqi uniform 40. ̂ "New Iraqi Army (NIA)" 41. ̂ Microsoft Word - Final Signed Version 070912.doc 42. ̂ Microsoft Word - OOBpage13-TOE.rtf 43. ̂ Microsoft Word - OOBpage7-IGFC-B.rtf 44. ^ a b PRWeb.com, First Vietnamese-American to Serve as a Military Advisor to the New Iraqi Army, 2006 45. ̂ http://www.mnf-iraq.com/Publications/TWII/060626.pdf This Week in Iraq - MNF-I Newsletter, June 26, 2006 46. ̂ Iraqi Security Forces Order of Battle (OOB) 47. ̂ Microsoft Word - OOBpage5-IGFC-M.rtf 48. ̂ 2nd IA assumes control of security operations in Mosul, Daily Article on MNF-Iraq.com, 22 December 2006 49. ̂ IGFC Kirkuk/Baqubah Sector - Long War Journal 50. ̂ Daily story on MNF-I Webpage, August 9, 2006 51. ̂ "The Advisor, MNSTC-I Newsletter, July 8, 2006" (PDF). Archived from the original on 2006-11-12.

http://web.archive.org/web/20061112011941/http://www.mnstci.iraq.centcom.mil/docs/advisor/currentissue.pdf. 52. ̂ Basrah IGFC - Long War Journal 53. ̂ On February 23, 2007, the 10th division, at that time based in Basrah, was certified and operational responsibility

transferred to the IGFC. However, since that time, the 14th Division has been formed in Basrah and the 10th Division transferred north to An Nasiriyah.MNF-I Press Release: Basrah IA division transfers to Iraqi command. February 23, 2007

54. ̂ Page 9: IGFC Basrah Sector - Long War Journal 55. ̂ The February 2007 release said the Division is headquartered in Habbaniyah, Al Anbar and operates from Baghdad to

Ramadi.MNF-I Press Release: Iraqi Government and 1st Iraqi Army Division assumes control. 16 February 2007 56. ̂ "7th Iraqi Army Division now Controlled by Iraqi Government", MNF-I Press Release November 03 2007 57. ̂ Training the Iraqi Army - Revisited, Again - The Long War Journal 58. ̂ Jeremy M. Sharp and Christopher M. Blanchard - Post-War Iraq:Foreign Contributions to Training, Peacekeeping, and

Reconstruction - Congressional Research Service 59. ̂ DJ Elliott and CJ Radin - Iraqi Security Forces Order of Battle - Long War Journal 60. ^ a b Iraq - Post-Saddam Governance and Security, CRS Report for Congress, p.41 61. ̂ U.S. Department of Defense, Measuring Stability and Security in Iraq (March 2007), p. 23, p. 25 62. ̂ Andrew F. Krepinevich - Send in the Advisers - Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments (CSBA) 63. ^ a b c d e f g h i Shapir, Yiftah S., Middle East Military Balance, Tel Aviv University, 6, 7 [3] 64. ^ a b Holdanwicz, Grzegorz. "Iraqi armed forces get armoured vehicles". Jane's Defence Weekly, 21 65. ^ a b Iraq Receives T-72s & BMPs - With Another Armored Brigade Planned - Defense Industry Daily 66. ̂ Iraq's T-72s: Payment Received 67. ̂ Defense News (dead) 68. ̂ Serbia signs Iraq arms deal - IraqUpdates.com 69. ̂ Serbia seals multimillion arms deal with Iraq - International Herald Tribune 70. ̂ Foss, Christopher (2008-08-12). "Iraq orders Abrams tanks through US FMS programme". Jane's.

http://www.janes.com/news/defence/land/idr/idr080812_1_n.shtml. Retrieved 2008-10-07. 71. ̂ http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htproc/articles/20081218.aspx

72. ̂ http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=3896249 73. ̂ http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?col=&section=middleeast&xfile=data/middleeast/2009/

February/middleeast_February246.xml 74. ̂ Reports to Congress - Special Inspector General For Iraq Reconstruction 75. ̂ "Ukraine, Iraq in $2.5 Bn Weapons Deal". DefenseIndustryDaily.com. 2009-12-10.

http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/Ukraine-Iraq-in-25-Bn-Weapons-Deal-06016/. Retrieved 2009-12-15. References

Lyman, Robert (2006). Iraq 1941: The Battles for Basra, Habbaniya, Fallujah and Baghdad. Campaign. Oxford, New York: Osprey Publishing. pp. 96. ISBN 10: 1-84176-991-6.

Kenneth M. Pollack, Arabs at War: Military Effectiveness 1948-91, University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln and London, 2002, and Pollack's book reviewed in International Security, Vol. 28, No.2.

Further reading Two Years in Iraq and Honored as a General - Award ceremony led by Staff Brigadier General Nassir al-Hiti. www.365iniraq.com Articles and pictures from an Iraqi Army transition team Building Iraqi security forces   : hearing before the Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats and International

Relations of the Committee on Government Reform, House of Representatives, March 14, 2005 Rebuilding Iraq: Resource, Security, Governance, Essential Services, and Oversight Issues: United States General

Accounting Office Report to Congressional Committees, June, 2004 Cordesman, Anthony H.   : Prepared Statement before the Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats, and

International Relations of the Committee on Government Reform, March 14, 2005 Cordesman, Anthony H., Iraqi Security Forces, Praeger/CSIS, 2006 ISBN 0-275-98908-9 Cordesman, Anthony H., Iraqi Force Development: A Current Status Report July 2005-February 2006 , February 15, 2006 Iraqi Troops Killed 2 U.S. Soldiers America's old Humvees add new luster to Iraqi fleet - Christian Science Monitor, March 17, 2008

New Iraqi Army T-72 A Ukrainian-built BTR-94 sits atop a flatbed truck awaiting transportation to Iraq, circa August 2004. Several hundred light armor vehicles were donated to the Iraqi government by Jordan. An Iraqi Army Ashok Leyland Truck of Indian Origin

T-55 of 1st Iraqi Mechanized Brigade conducting a route security patrol near Taji, Iraq.Two New Iraqi Army BMP-1 s at Coalition checkpoint in Tarmiya, Iraq, 25 June 2006. New Iraqi Army BMP-1 on the move.

Members of Iraqi Army 3rd Brigade, 14th Division march during their graduation ceremony Feb. 13 2008. 5 weeks after graduation, the brigade took part in Operation Knight's Assault. Iraqi soldiers perform a live-fire exercise using Egyptian Maadi rifles

The 2nd Brigade, 1st Iraqi Division took delivery of 10 armored HMMWVs in March 2006 The 6th Iraqi Army Division's military police company received four Polish vehicles in March as part of an initiative by the Iraqi Defense Ministry to provide updated equipment to soldiers. The Dzik-3s are a huge upgrade from the light utility vehicles the MPs have used since the start of the war

Iraqi T-72s in 2006. Demolished Iraqi vehicles line the Highway of Death on 18 April 1991.

New Iraqi Army (NIA)A professional Iraqi army is being created to replace Saddam's army with a professional force for maintaining peace and stability. The New Iraqi Army's primary responsibilities would be for border protection, securing roads and installations, and clearing mines and unexploded bombs left over from the war. Only a small number of officers would be employed in the new army, as plans called for it to be much smaller than that of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's. The US administration in Iraq envisions the new army to be purely for defense and wholly separate from the civil police force unlike during the Hussein regime. Units are to reflect Iraq's religious, regional, and ethnic mix, be non-political, under law-based civilian control, and a force for defense and security-not aggression and oppression. CPA Order Number 22, Creation of a New Iraqi Army, August 7, 2003, established a military force for the national self-defense of a future free Iraq. CPA Order Number 23, Creation of a Code of Military Discipline for the New Iraqi Army, August 7, 2003, established a system of discipline to maintain order in the New Iraqi Army. Excluded from New Iraqi Army include: Former persons from regime security organizations Intel organizations Special Republican Guards SSO Ba'ath Party security and militia organizations Top-level Ba'ath Party members Former military officers of the rank of Lt Col and below were being accepted into the new organization with all other males between the age of 18-40 years and not listed on excluded list allowed to sign up at recruiting centers. Recruitment Centers have been set up in Baghdad , Al Basrah, Mosul with an additional one at Irbil planned. As of 15 February 2004, more than 3,500 personnel had been recruited; nearly 2,000 were operational and over 1,700 were in training. A groundbreaking ceremony for a new training base for the Iraqi Army took place in Kirkuk on April 29, 2004. The facility will accommodate an entire brigade of soldiers.

Prime Minister Ayad Allawi of Iraq's interim government announced organizational changes for the country's security forces, along with a plan for taking on Iraq's enemies, at a 20 June 2004 Baghdad news conference. The interim government has parceled out responsibilities for specific branches of Iraq's armed forces, Allawi said. New units include: infantry brigades; the national guard (previously the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps; rapid intervention forces; and Iraqi special forces He said the army would focus on border defense and homeland security . "The reserve forces of the army will also assist in dealing with the domestic threats to our national security," he noted. The Iraqi Civil Defense Corps (ICDC) would be renamed as the Iraqi National Guard and would come under the command of the army, which would also include the Iraqi intervention forces and special forces. "The national guard would be increased, and their training level upgraded. Six new local divisions will be established, as well as 18 brigades and 50 regiments at least. "The Iraqi special forces, which are highly trained and equipped with advanced tools," he continued, "will stalk and arrest all the terrorists and those who tamper with the security of our homeland and citizens."

As of 30 Apr 2004. See CENTCOM Briefing

By early 2005 the Iraqi Interim and Transitional Governments, with Coalition assistance, had fielded over 90 battalions in order to provide security within Iraq during a period of an intense counterinsurgency campaign that was designed to suppress the development of democracy. All but one of these 90 battalions, however, are lightly equipped and armed, and have very limited mobility and sustainment capabilities. These limitations, coupled with a more resilient insurgency than anticipated when the Iraqi Security Forces were initially designed, have led the Prime Minister of Iraq to request forces that can participate in the "hard end" of the counterinsurgency, and to do so quickly. Iraq celebrated Army Day on Jan. 6, marking the 84th anniversary of the activation of the Iraqi Army on Jan. 6, 1921. Ceremonies across the country recalled the Army's past service and sacrifice and showcased current and future capabilities. Interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi, Minister of Defense Hazam Sha'alan, Minister of State Cassim Daoud, and Gen. Babakir Al Zibari, the Chief of Staff of the Iraqi Armed Forces, presided over ceremonies held at Taji Military Base, north of Baghdad, before returning to Baghdad to conduct ceremonies at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Prime Minister Allawi addressed the Iraqi Armed Forces in particular and the people of Iraq more generally, in his speech at Taji. "Free brothers, Iraq is facing a difficult and complicated situation especially in this period, but together we are going to build a strong and independent Iraq, a country free of oppression and depression, a country based on the power of law, honesty and truth," Allawi said. "It's a difficult mission, but we will do it. You brothers, members of the army forces, will face crucial challenges, but I am confident of your ability to overcome them with your heads up. Your solid will is an advantage to defeat these challenges. Together we will win. Together we will defeat our enemies. Together we will build our beloved Iraq." Army Day ceremonies around Iraq including reading of a proclamation issued by Gen. Babakir that recalled the proud history of the Iraqi Army, announced the activation of nine Iraqi Army divisions, and explained the incorporation of the National Guard into the Regular Army. This move will "ensure unity of command and effort to meet the security challenges we currently face," Babakir noted. During the ceremony at Taji, Prime Minister Allawi and Minister Sha'alan named Iraqi Army Lt. Gen. Abdul Qader Mohammed Jassim, who was the Iraqi ground forces commander in Operation Al Fajr (Fallujah), the Land Forces Commander, with responsibility for the Iraqi Army. A pass in review then showcased some of the capabilities of the Army. As of July 2005, MNF-I had implemented a structured training and assessment process for Iraqi Military Forces. Training for the individual soldier was divided into two areas: training for new recruits and training for former soldiers. Training for new recruits took a total of nine weeks and was usually conducted at the Iraqi Training Brigade (ITB) in Kirkush. Training for former soldiers lasted three to four weeks and was usually conducted in divisional locations with graduates generally being assigned to the division that trained them. All personnel received standard infantry-style training; selected soldiers received specialized training in Army Military Occupational Specialties, such as Signal, Administration, Supply, Armor, Transport, Maintenance and Military Police. Membership in the Iraqi Special Forces Brigade required additional training. All Iraqi Special Operations Forces (ISOF) soldiers underwent a three-week Assessment and Selection course. Iraqi Counter Terrorist Forces (ICTF) soldiers received 12 weeks of training in Jordan on Close Quarters Battle (CQB), Planning, and Leadership before they conducted Direct Action missions. ISOF soldiers underwent rigorous training emphasizing small unit tactics, counterterrorism, and unit self-reliance. Improved qualification and vetting standards minimized absenteeism and the risk of insurgent infiltration. The Brigade’s chain of command and officer cadre were assessed as being very effective. ISOF elements had been conducting operations for the previous year. They have played crucial roles in major combat operations along side of, and sometimes independently of, Coalition forces. A small number of Army personnel attended advanced training with NATO and U.S. Army schools. MNF-I had also implemented, in partnership with the MOD, a program to embed Military Transition Teams at the battalion, brigade, and division level. These teams provided Transition Readiness Assessments (TRAs) to MNC-I identifying areas of progress and shortcomings, ultimately leading to those individual units being ready to assume independent control of their area of responsibility. These assessments took into account a variety of criteria similar to but not identical to what the U.S. Army used to evaluate its units’ operational readiness focused on personnel, command and control, training, sustainment/logistics, equipment, and leadership. Overall, operational units were assessed as: capable of planning, executing, and sustaining counterinsurgency operations independent of Coalition forces (Level 1); capable of planning, executing, and sustaining counterinsurgency operations with Coalition enablers (Level 2); or capable of conducting counterinsurgency operations only when operating alongside Coalition units (Level 3). Level 1, 2, and 3 units were all engaged in operations against the enemy. It is useful to place these readiness assessments in perspective. The first Iraqi Army infantry battalions finished basic training in early 2004 and were immediately required in combat without complete equipment. They had inadequate time to develop unit cohesiveness, staff proficiency, and a leadership chain of command that is fundamental to a military unit. Ministry of Defense forces did not perform well in Fallujah—several battalions collapsed. Absent-without-leave (AWOL) rates among regular army units were in double digits and remained so for the rest of the year. Although, as of 2005, such problems had not been entirely solved, they had been addressed in large measure because of the ability to put to good use the security sector funding from the Iraq Reconstruction and Relief Fund (IRRF) as provided for by Public Law 108-106. Furthermore, although there was variance in the rate of absenteeism, AWOL, attrition, and desertion among the Iraqi Army, rates had diminished significantly and were around one percent for some divisions. Still, units that were conducting operations and units that relocated elsewhere in Iraq experienced a surge in absenteeism

Army Infantry Brigades Initial US plans were for Iraq is to get a new army division numbering 12,000 troops within a year. Plans called for the first division to a light infantry unit with an ultimate goal of three divisions, composed of 9 brigades of 27 battalions, with about 40,000 soldiers by the end of 2004. US General Paul Eaton, a former commander of the infantry school in the United States, would supervise training which will likely be contracted out to US firms. Recruiting began in early July 2003. The New Iraqi Army's first battalion of some 700 soldiers graduated on 04 October 2003. The first army battalion had a bad start with about 300 members of the 700-strong force quitting over low salaries. The first battalion trained by the CMATT graduated on 4 October 2003 and is based at Kirkuk. It was employed by the 4th Infantry Division Mechanized. The second battalion was employed by the 1st Armored Division, and has been garrisoned at Taji since its graduation on 6 January 2004. Reportedly, 3rd Bn was disbanded in May 2004, leaving 1st, 2nd, and 4th Bns in 1st Brigade. The designation 3d Bn was then transferred to a new batallion in the process of forming. The remaining 23 battalions will follow a course of action, where officers and non-commissioned officers will conduct separate courses. They then come together to form the battalion cadre, and will train their own soldiers are recruited and brought together en masse to the locations where the garrisons are set. This will be an Iraqi army trained by Iraqis. The Iraqi army's 7th Battalion was activated 01 August 2004 with the basic training completion and graduation of 723 training recruits in a ceremony at the Kirkush Military

Training Base east of Baghdad , concluding the stand-up of the army's fifth fully-manned and trained battalion. It also completes the Iraqi army's 3rd Brigade of the 5th Division. By August 2004 steady growth and rapid progression seems to be the status of the 3rd Brigade, Iraqi Army, based out of the Kirkush Military Training Base. The 3rd Brigade is composed of Iraqi Soldiers from the 5th, 6th, and 7th Battalions, all which have achieved a high level of confidence incident to completing the military training program conducted by the Coalition Military Assistance Training Team (CMATT). Soldiers from the 6th Battalion started conducting military operations in the Diyala Province, as the 3rd Brigade expands its role in the security of Iraq. Missions conducted by the 6th Battalion have included traffic control checkpoints; dismount foot patrols, and cordon and search operations. The final unit was slated to come on line in early February 2005. In the meantime, on September 26, 2004, Lt. General David H. Petraeus, commander of the Multinational Security Transition Command in Iraq wrote in an op-ed in the Washington Post that six regular army battalions would become operational sometime within the next two months and that nine more regular army battalions would have completed training by January 2005. The Iraqi army's 6th Battalion, 3rd Brigade conducted a cordon-and-search mission north of the city, 15 November 2004, with elements from the U.S. Army's 1st Cavalry Division resulting in the detention of 17 individuals. Since operations commenced in Fallujah, a week earlier, 6th Battalion had been primarily involved in traffic-control point, cordon-and-search, and other various security operations outside of the city in support of operations inside the town

Iraqi Intervention Force New Iraqi Army, 1st Division The Iraqi Intervention Force is a branch of the Iraqi Army specifically trained in counterinsurgency operations. Prime Minister Ayad Allawi of Iraq's interim government announced organizational changes for the country's security forces, along with a plan for taking on Iraq's enemies, at a 20 June 2004 Baghdad news conference. Allawi envisions the Iraqi rapid intervention forces thwarting sabotage elements, "especially those who chose to hide behind innocent Iraqis in our cities and villages." As a first order by Iraq's new Ministry of Defense, the all-Iraqi Intervention Forces began patrolling the streets of Baghdad on 28 June 2004. Having more than a month of experience in patrols in their new sector, the 2nd Battalion, 1st Iraqi Intervention Force (IIF) Brigade - the first Iraqi unit to be assigned a sector in Baghdad - moved things up a bit in their area of Abu Dashir. Security and patrols were the first things the battalion learned during their right-seat/left-seat ride in Abu Dashir with their predecessors, Company C, 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment. But on August 9th, they took part in a new task: civil military operations. The Iraqi Intervention Forces' 2nd Battalion, "Leopards," formally took responsibility for part of the 5th Brigade Combat Team's area of operations during a short ceremony 31 July 2004. This is the first time that an IIF unit has taken control of a sector. What they bring to the table is new capabilities. The Leopard's leadership uncased the battalion's colors to signify the unit's activation and assumption of Abu Dashir of the Al Rashid district. The 1st Cavalry Division's 5th BCT patrols Baghdad's Al Rashid. The 5th BCT's Company C, 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, used to patrol the area. The Leopard's main mission will be combat operations. They'll take on the missions that are beyond the capabilities of the Iraqi National Guard like arresting high profile terrorists, or large cordon-and-search operations. They've already taken on such missions, Davis said. The battalion has been patrolling Abu Dashir for about a month now and conducted several large operations, one of which resulted in the in the arrest of one of the Multi-National Force's most wanted terrorists. The Iraqi Soldiers are motivated to do this mission, Davis said. Several times the Leopard's commander has asked the advisor not to go with them on missions, he said. The Iraqi Intervention Forces' 4th Battalion was deployed to a southern Baghdad base in early August 2004 for stability and support operations in the city as part of the Iraqi government's continued effort to provide security to the nation. The unit had previously spent several months at the Taji Military Training Base north of Baghdad in special military operations in urban terrain training. The Iraqi Intervention Force is the branch of the Iraqi Army specifically trained in counterinsurgency operations. This is now one of three Iraqi battalions being employed in the Baghdad area of operations. The unit will work with Multi-National Forces in the area at the direction of the Iraqi Ministry of Defense conducting a variety of missions including traffic control points, intelligence missions, and security and presence patrols. The 4th Battalion will interact routinely with the Iraqi National Guard and Iraqi Police Service forces in the same sector. The 5th Battalion was activated in July 2004 and two additional battalions deployed to the Baghdad area. These battalions joined the previously deployed Iraqi Intervention Forces 2nd Battalion, to form an army security force of three fully trained regular army units in and around Baghdad. Since the conception of the Iraqi Intervention Force as a specialist counter-insurgency unit, born of necessity in April 2004 whenconventional Iraqi forces proved unwilling and largely incapable of dealing with the intensified insurgency in Fallujah, the force has expanded to a strength of 9 battalions of approximately eight hundred men (fairly large by new Iraqi Army standards, where an effort has been made in recent months to slim down new regular army battalions to four or five hundred.) The emphasis of IIF force development is very much on urban operations, which are the focus of an additional five weeks of instruction after the initial four of basic and eight of cadre training. Nominally, the IIF makes up the 1st, 5th and 6th Brigades of the nine-brigade Iraqi infantry. (It should be borne in mind, however, that a consistent nomenclature is yet to be established and unit identifications are often contradictory in the public domain, while the structure of the forces themselves is constantly evolving.) On March 20th 2005, a major development was marked by the transferral to IIF control of the centre of Mosul. In previous weeks, the brigade had seen considerable action in the area: On February 17th, during a 'cordon and search' operation in nearby Tel Afar in which 4 insurgents were killed, a large cache of weapons including artillery round, grenades and hundreds of round of ammunition was uncovered by the 2nd Battalion, 1st Brigade. A week later the same unit made raids which led to the discovery of two Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs.) Operations in and around Mosul in early March saw the successful co-operation of the 23rd and 24th Battalions, 6th Brigade, with both coalition forces and the 21st Battalion, 3rd Brigade of the regular Iraqi infantry. Most current operations involve raids in response to tip-offs about the whereabouts of insurgents or counter-attacks, resulting most frequently from insurgent small arms fire and drive-by shootings directed at urban patrols and checkpoints. Such counter-attacks led in March to the capture of a number of mortar tubes, mortar rounds and an RPG launcher.

 

Iraqi Special ForcesThe Iraqi special forces, which are highly trained and equipped with advanced tools, will stalk and arrest all the terrorists and those who tamper with the security of the Iraqi homeland and citizens. The 1st Infantry Division hosted an Iraqi Special Forces Conference at Forward Operating Base Danger on April 27, 2004. From the hiring of Iraqis for police duties to the equipment needed to fulfill those duties, a wide-range of topics was discussed at the six-hour conference attended by U.S. and British forces. The battalion known as the Thundering Third came down hard on enemy safehavens around Fallujah in their to-date largest operation alongside Iraqi forces in late August 2004. 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, alongside Iraqi Specialized Special Forces, conducted Operation Clean Sweep Aug. 23-24 in areas east of Fallujah. The operation was designed to hinder enemy movement to and from the city and eliminate any possible safe havens in the vicinity. "We're basically sweeping rural open areas because we're suspecting terrorists are transporting and selling weapons, shooting mortars and attacking our firm bases," explained Sgt. Edgar O. Payan, a platoon guide with Company K. "Terrorists are moving through areas like crop fields as they come and go out of Fallujah, so we're hoping we nab some suspects and find their weapons," added Payan, a 25-year-old from Pomona, Calif. The 48-hour operation kicked off in the early hours of Aug. 23. By the end of the first day, Marines had arrested two suspects for stowing munitions in their homes. Clean Sweep not only called for Marines to search homes for weapons, but to walk the land around the target areas, looking for anything out of the ordinary. The Marines were especially on the lookout for materials used to create improvised explosive devices. At approximately 2:30 a.m. on 23 August 2004, the Iraqi Specialized Special Forces led a search into a Ramadi mosque after receiving fire while conducting a patrol. The search of the mosque was not part of the original operation, nor was it considered a threat until gunmen opened fire on the SSF and US Forces on the street outside. Two gunmen who fired their weapons from a vehicle just outside the mosque were killed by the SSF and US Forces. Inside the mosque the SSF and Iraqi National Guard Commandos found mines, mortar rounds, Ak-47 rifles and RPK machine guns, as well as terrorist propaganda. ISSF, alongside US Army soldiers and Marines with the 1st Brigade Combat Team, under the 1st Marine Division, were conducting Operation True Grit in the city of Ramadi, in an area reported to have increased insurgent activity. The operation was designed to disrupt those activities, and was a huge success. ING Commandos and Iraqi Police also assisted in Operation True Grit. During the operation, Multi-National Forces and SSF searched several houses and 17 insurgents were detained, four of which were found setting up an ambush on top of one of the houses.

Iraqi National GuardIn January 2005 all Iraqi National Guard units in Iraq were absorbed into the sovereign nation's new army. In July 2004 the new Iraqi government changed plans to leave the Iraq Civil Defense Corps as a largely passive defense force and converted it to a National Guard. The 1st Infantry Division hosted a ceremony July 10 for the first class of Iraqi National Guard soldiers to graduate from the ING Training Academy in Tikrit. In the past, training was done "in house" by the separate ING battalions. The 309 graduates completed the 20-day course taught by both coalition and Iraqi instructors. The course is designed after United States Army basic training. ING recruits are instructed on wear of the uniform, military customs and courtesies, drill and ceremony as well as basic rifle marksmanship. However, instruction is based on the Iraqi Army's marching, saluting, and even weapons familiarization on the AK-47. Recruits are also taught first aid, personnel and vehicle search as well as Individual Movement Techniques. The soldiers are recruited by separate battalions throughout the Big Red One's area of responsibility. Each battalion is allocated a certain number of slots per class. The Iraqi National Guard and Iraqi Police, two of the four Iraq Security Forces, marked a major milestone together early 18 July 2003. For the first time, the Iraqi National Guard and the Iraqi police worked together on a large-scale operation to search for insurgents involved in a recent attack that resulted in one IP officer killed and two others wounded. About 90 Iraqi National Guard soldiers from the 304th Battalion cordoned off a large area of an Al Rashid neighborhood while almost 300 Iraqi Police officers searched for the insurgents. The Iraqi National Guard ran several temporary traffic control points along a major road in the area to make sure the neighborhood search went undisturbed while the Iraqi Police searched the homes. Several illegal weapons were seized by the Iraqi Police during the operation.

 

Infantry Brigades

1st Division* 2nd Division 3rd Division 4th Division 5th Division

1st Brigade 1st Brigade 1st Brigade 1st Brigade 1st Brigade

1st Battalion 1st Battalion 1st Battalion 1st Battalion 1st Battalion

2nd Battalion 2nd Battalion 2nd Battalion 2nd Battalion 2nd Battalion

3rd Battalion 3rd Battalion 3rd Battalion 3rd Battalion 3rd Battalion

4th Battalion

5th Battalion

2nd Brigade 2nd Brigade 2nd Brigade 2nd Brigade 2nd Brigade

1st Battalion 1st Battalion 1st Battalion 1st Battalion 1st Battalion

2nd Battalion 2nd Battalion 2nd Battalion 2nd Battalion 2nd Battalion

3rd Battalion 3rd Battalion 3rd Battalion 3rd Battalion 3rd Battalion

4th Battalion 4th Battalion

5th Battalion

3rd Brigade 3rd Brigade 3rd Brigade 3rd Brigade 3rd Brigade

1st Battalion 1st Battalion 1st Battalion 1st Battalion

2nd Battalion 2nd Battalion 2nd Battalion 2nd Battalion

3rd Battalion 3rd Battalion 3rd Battalion

4th Brigade 4th Brigade

1st Battalion 1st Battalion

2nd Battalion 2nd Battalion

3rd Battalion 3rd Battalion

4th Battalion

6th Division 7th Division 8th Division 10th Division

1st Brigade 1st Brigade 1st Brigade 1st Brigade

1st Battalion 1st Battalion 1st Battalion Battalion

2nd Battalion 2nd Battalion 2nd Battalion Battalion

3rd Battalion 3rd Battalion Battalion

4th Battalion

2nd Brigade 2nd Brigade 2nd Brigade 2nd Brigade

1st Battalion 1st Battalion 1st Battalion Battalion

2nd Battalion 2nd Battalion 2nd Battalion Battalion

3rd Battalion 3rd Battalion Battalion

3rd Brigade 3rd Brigade 3rd Brigade Brigade

1st Battalion 1st Battalion Battalion

2nd Battalion Battalion 2nd Battalion Battalion

3nd Battalion Battalion 3nd Battalion

4th Brigade 4th Brigade Brigade

Battalion Battalion

2nd Battalion Battalion

3rd Battalion

Battalion

5th Brigade

1st Battalion

2nd Battalion

3rd Battalion

*1st Division constiutes the Iraqi Intervention Force

Mechanized

9th Mechanized Division

1st Mechanized Brigade (4 Bns)

2nd Brigade (4 Bns)

3rd Brigade (4 Bns)

Special Operations Forces

SOF Division

36th Commando Battalion

Iraqi Counterterrorism Battalion

Support Battalion

Indvidual Units

Special Security Battalion

Marine Battalion

Engineer Training Battalion

Training Battalion

Strategic Infrastructure Brigades

Brigade Brigade Brigade Brigade Brigade

Battalion Battalion Battalion Battalion Battalion

Battalion Battalion Battalion Battalion Battalion

Battalion Battalion Battalion Battalion

National Guard*As of January 2005 the National Guard has been absorbed into the Army proper.

Division 4th Division 8th Division 25th Division 42nd Division Division

40th Brigade 2nd Brigade 1st Brigade Brigade 3rd Brigade Brigade

302nd Battalion Battalion Battalion Battalion 203rd Battalion Battalion

303rd Battalion Battalion Battalion Battalion Battalion Battalion

306th Battalion Battalion Battalion Battalion Battalion Battalion

307th Battalion Battalion Battalion Battalion Battalion Battalion

Brigade 30th Brigade Brigade Brigade Brigade Brigade

303rd Battalion Battalion Battalion Battalion Battalion Battalion

305th Battalion Battalion Battalion Battalion Battalion Battalion

Battalion Battalion Battalion Battalion Battalion Battalion

Battalion Battalion Battalion Battalion Battalion Battalion

Brigade 32nd Brigade Brigade Brigade Brigade Brigade

504th Battalion Battalion Battalion Battalion Battalion Battalion

507th Battalion Battalion Battalion Battalion Battalion Battalion

Battalion Battalion Battalion Battalion Battalion Battalion

Battalion Battalion Battalion Battalion Battalion Battalion

New Iraqi Army (NIA) EquipmentEquipment shortages have been reduced as equipment procured with U.S.-funded contracts began to flow into Iraq during mid-to-late 2004. By 2005, the Iraqi Army had 60 percent of its total authorized equipment, including more than 100 percent of AK-47 requirements. The Iraqi Security Forces Fund (ISFF), as provided for by Public Law 109-13, will further enable MNF-I to meet critical requirements. U.S.-funded procurement had equipped infantry units primarily with former Warsaw Pact weapons and vehicles. The MOD, using its funds, had also sought U.S.-standard vehicles such as HMMWVs and M-113 armored personnel carriers. Mechanized forces were being trained using T-55 and T-72 tanks, BMP-1s and MTLBs. The ISOF was equipped with M4 carbines, M9 pistols, night-vision devices, M24 sniper systems, M240 machine guns, 12 gauge shotguns, 50-caliber machine guns, global positioning systems equipment, and surveillance equipment. In August 2003, a number of Statements of Work (SOW) articulated the equipment, equipment training, logistics support requirements, and maintenance requirements for the New Iraqi Army (NIA) and the Iraqi National Defense Force (INDF). Detailed information was provided for the Light Infantry Battalion sets. Site Set Up and Prep of initial Battalion Sets (Including Government Acceptance Procedures) except the "A" Group (1st BN), the offeror was required to submit prices including delivery and site preparation for user operation of equipment to Kirkush Military Training Base (KMTB), Iraq (Mercator Grid Reference System 38SNC 22027 30374), approximately 70 miles west of Baghdad , and close to the Iranian border. This meant that all delivered items would be unwrapped, unpackaged, assembled, re-assembled, and otherwise placed in operational order while all packing items related to shipment would be assembled and moved to a refuse site identified by the point of contact for the Coalition Military Assistance Training Team (CMATT) at KMTB. All CLINS except for 0002 will be priced this way. An alternative pricing arrangement was not authorized for CLINS 0003 through 0010. Delivery and site preparation for Group B (2nd BN) was to be completed by 8 November 2003 at KMTB. There was no alternative pricing proposal arrangement for the "B through I" series CLINS. Four T-55s mothballed by the old Iraqi Army were refurbished and transported on low loaders from the old army base in al-Muqdadiyah north of Baghdad to the training base at Taji. The Iraqi army took another step forward in the security of their nation in January 2005 by mobilizing the 1st Mechanized Brigade, an armor unit. Based in Taji, the unit conducted its first operational mission this week with two presence patrols using both MTLB vehicles and T-55 tanks. The brigade also assumed part of the security mission at the Ministry of Defense by stationing BMPs on the MOD grounds. According to US Army Col. David Styles, the Multi-National Security Transition Command - Iraq armor project officer, the brigade had three primary missions: conduct counter-insurgency operations to provide for a secure and stable Iraq, act as the nucleus of larger formations to facilitate the creation and expansion to a mechanized division and to be Iraq's future mobile reserve. The brigade soldiers conducted basic skills training at the individual, squad and platoon level for weeks. The training includes physical, weapons, urban operations, traffic control point, patrol, and maintenance training that incorporates the capabilities of their mechanized and armored vehicles. Training also includes civil affairs operations as the brigade will be interacting extensively with the people of Iraq. On 29 July 2005 the Swiss government approved the sale of 180 M113 armored personnel carriers to the United Arab Emirates . The UAE planned to transfer the 180 APCs, from a Swiss army surplus, to Iraq as a gift. This requires an end-user certicate from the Iraqi government stating that the vehicles are actually bound for Iraq. The RUAG armaments group must submit the certificate to the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO). The Swiss military equipment law prohibits the export of arms to war zones. As the APC's country of origin, the USA must also confirm that it approves of the deal. The M113A1 is a lightly armoured full tracked air transportable personnel carrier designed to carry personnel and certain types of cargo. The M113-family was developed the from M59 and M75 which were designed by FMC (Food Machinery Corp.) in the late 1950´s. The vehicle is capable of: amphibious operations in streams and lakes; extended cross country travel over rough terrain; and high speed operation on improved roads and highways. By August 2005 Iraq's first armored brigade was trained and in the field, with 77 Soviet-designed T-72 tanks donated to Iraq by Hungary expected to arrive in Iraq soon. Defense Solutions announced 27 July 2005 that it would deliver the first five rebuilt T-72 Main Battle Tanks to the Iraqi Army. Iraqi Staff Major General Mahmood Ayoub Bashar accepted these tanks on behalf of the Iraqi Ministry of Defense during his attendance at program review meetings held at the HM Currus Combat Vehicle Technique Company (Currus), Gödöllõ, Hungary. Currus participated in the refurbishment project under a subcontract to Defense Solutions. These tanks were part of the total of 77 T-72s being rebuilt under a contract between Defense Solutions and the Iraqi Ministry of Defense. The T-72 tanks were originally donated to Iraq by the Government of Hungary. Defense Solutions performed this work under a US State Department license.The T-72s will be the main combat power of a new Iraqi Armor Division being created with the assistance of the U.S. Army. The Soviet-designed T-72 remains one of the world's best main battle tanks and some think it is comparable to the original M-1 Abrams tank fielded to US forces beginning in 1980. The T-72s being provided to the Iraqi Army were the original model, have not been upgraded and are no match for the highly advanced Abrams M1A2 and the M1A2 SEP (System Enhancement Program) version used by the US Army. The T-72s were deactivated by the Hungarian Army at the end of the Cold War and placed in long-term storage. Hungary, which became part of NATO in 1999, donated the tanks to Iraq with NATO approval. Defense Solutions, LLC is an international project management and consulting firm with offices in Washington, DC, and Philadelphia, PA, USA; Tel-Aviv, Israel; and Budapest, Hungary. Defense Solutions provides program management and strategic studies and analyses for its clients. It also provides business development and program advocacy for companies in the Defense, Homeland Security, Information Technology and Telecommunications markets. Defense Solutions utilizes a network of experts who have a wide range of specialties in industry, government, the armed forces, law enforcement, maritime security and national politics.

Iraqi Ground Forces Equipment Saddam's Army Intro to Baath EquipmentIntro to NIA Equipment

SYSTEMSInventory

1990 1995 2000 2002 2005 2010 2015

MBT 5550 2200 2200 2200 10 77 -T-72 1000 700 700 700 10 77 +T-62 1500 500 500 500 - - -T-54/-55/M-77 1500 500 500 500 4 4 4Type-69 [PRC T-55] 1000 350 350 350 - - -Type-59 [PRC T-54] 500 150 150 150 - - -Chieftain Mk3/5 30 + - - - - -M-60 10 + - - - - - M-47 10 + - - - - -

RECCE / AIFV 4000 2500 2100 1400 - - -AML-60/-90 300 300 300 + - - -BMP-1/-2 1500 ? 900 ? 1000 ? 900 + + +BRDM-2 1300 + + + - - -EE-9 Cascavel 600 + + + - - -EE-3 Jararaca 300 + + + - - -ERC-90 Sagaie + + + + - - -FV 601 Saladin [UK] + 100 100 + - - -FV 701 Ferret [UK] + 90 + + - - -OT-65 [FUG-70 / PSZH-IV] + + + + - - -PT-76 100 100 100 100 - - -Roland + + + + - - -

APC 6,000 ? 2000 ? 2,400 ? 2,400 ?? 180 -BTR-50 + + + + - - -BTR-50 + + + + - - -BTR-60 + + + + - - -BTR-152 + + + + - - -EE-11 Urutu + + + + - - -M-3 Panhard + + + + - - -M-113A1/A2 + - - + + - -MTLB 1,500 + + + 4 4 4OT-62 + + + + - - -OT-64 + + + + - - -Walid (Egypt) + + + + - - -YW-531 1,000 - - - - - - YW-701 - + + + - - -

TOWED ARTY ~3,000 ? 1,500 ? 1,900 ? 1,900 - - -105mm M-56 + + + + - - -122mm D-74 + + + + - - -

D-30 100 + + + - - -M-1938 400 + + + - - -

130mm M-46 + + + + - - -Type-59-1 [PRC] + + + + - - -

152mm M-1937 + - - - - - -M-1943 + - - - - - -

155mm G-5 100 + + + - - -GHN-45 200 + + + - - -M-114 + + + + - - -

SP ARTY ~500 230 150 150 - - -122mm 2S1 + + + + - - -152mm 2S3 + + + + - - -155mm M-109A1/A2 + + + + - - -

AUF-1 (GCT) 85 + + + - - -Majnoon ? ? ? ? - - -

210mm Al Fao ? ? ? ? - - -MRL ? 250 ? 500 ? 200 - - -107mm + + + + - - -122mm BM-21 + + + + - - -127mm ASTROS II 60 + + + - - -132mm BM-13/-16 + + + + - - -180mm ASTROS SS-30 + + + + - - -

262mm Ababeel-50 50 + + + - - -300mm ASTROS SS-60 + + + + - - -SSM

FROG-7 50 50 50 50 - - -Scud-B 36 - ? 27 ? 27 - - -Scud launchers - ? 6 ? 6 - - -Abbas + - - - - - - Husayn + - - - - - -

ATGWAT-3 Sagger (incl BRDM-2) + + + + - - -AT-4 Spigot + + + + - - -SS-11 + + + + - - -Milan + + + + - - -HOT (incl 100 VC-TH) + + + + - - -

ATK GUNS85mm + + + + - - -100mm towed + + + - - - -

HelicoptersHELICOPTERS 489 ~500 ~500 ~375 - - -ATTACK ~120 ~120 ~100 - - -

Mi-24 40 + + + - - -PAH-1 Bo-105 56 + + + - - -SA-316 Alouette III 30 + + + - - -SA-321 Super Frelon 13 + + + - - -SA-342 Gazelle 20 + + + - - -

TRANSPORT ~350 ~350 ~375 - - -A-109 3 - - - - - -AB-212 5 + + + - - -AS-61 5 + + + - - -Bell 214 ST 40 + + + - - -BK-117 (SAR) - + + + - - -Hughes 300C 30 + + + - - -Hughes 500D 30 + + + - - -Huhges 530F 26 + + + - - -Mi-4 20 + + + - - -Mi-6 15 + + + - - -Mi-8/-17 140 + + + - - -SA-330 Puma 20 + + + - - -SA-342 Gazelle 30 - - - - - -

SURVEILLANCERASIT - + + + - - -Cymbelline - + + + - - -

 

2nd Battalion 1st Battalion, 1st Brigade "The Leopards" (Kirkuk)With the reorginization of the Iraqi Army the 2nd Battalion, 1st Brigade was redesginated the 1st Battalion, 1st Brigade.The Iraqi Intervention Forces' 2nd Battalion, "Leopards," formally took responsibility for part of the 5th Brigade Combat Team's area of operations in Baghdad during a short ceremony 31 July 2004. This is the first time that an IIF unit has taken control of a sector. What they brought to the table is new capabilities. The Leopard's leadership uncased the battalion's colors to signify the unit's activation and assumption of Abu Dashir of the Al Rashid district. The 1st Cavalry Division's 5th BCT patrols Baghdad's Al Rashid. The 5th BCT's Company C, 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, used to patrol the area. The Leopard's main mission will be combat operations. They'll take on the missions that are beyond the capabilities of the Iraqi National Guard like arresting high profile terrorists, or large cordon-and-search operations. The battalion has been patrolling Abu Dashir and conducted several large operations, one of which resulted in the arrest of one of the Multi-National Force's most wanted terrorists. The Iraqi Army made a well-received first foray into Baghdad July 1, 2004 with a single company from the Iraqi Intervention Force's 2nd Battalion conducting foot patrols down the crowded streets of the city's troubled southern district of Abu Deshir. By August 2004, having more than a month of experience in patrols in their new sector, the 2nd Battalion, 1st Iraqi Intervention Force (IIF) Brigade - the first Iraqi unit to be assigned a sector in Baghdad - moved things up a bit in their area of Abu Dashir. Security and patrols were the first things the battalion learned during their right-seat/left-seat ride in Abu Dashir with their predecessors, Company C, 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment. On August 9th, they took part in a new task: civil military operations. In early November, 2004 the 2nd Battalion, 1st Brigade of the IIF attacked and seized the Hydra Mosque along with U.S. Marines of Regimental Combat Team 7.

4th Battalion 2nd Battalion, 1st Brigade (Al Taji)With the reorginization of the Iraqi Army the 4th Battalion, 1st Brigade was redesginated the 2nd Battalion, 1st Brigade.The Iraqi Intervention Forces' 4th Battalion was deployed to a southern Baghdad base in early August 2004 for stability and support operations in the city as part of the Iraqi government's continued effort to provide security to the nation. The unit had previously spent several months at the Taji Military Training Base north of Baghdad in special military operations in urban terrain training. This is now one of three Iraqi battalions that has been employed in the Baghdad area of operations. The unit has worked with Multi-National Forces in the area at the direction of the Iraqi Ministry of Defense conducting a variety of missions including traffic control points, intelligence missions, and security and presence patrols. The 4th Battalion has interacted routinely with the Iraqi National Guard and Iraqi Police Service forces in the same sector. In early November 2004, The IIF's 4th Battalion, 1st Brigade, attackied targets in Fallujah along with U.S. Marine forces from the 1st RCT.

5th Battalion 3rd Battalion, 1st BrigadeWith the reorginization of the Iraqi Army the 5th Battalion, 5th Brigade was redesginated the 3rd Battalion, 1st Brigade.The 5th Battalion was activated in July 2004 and with two additional battalions deployed to the Baghdad area. The 4th and 5th battalions joined the previously deployed Iraqi Intervention Forces 2nd Battalion, to form an army security force of three fully trained regular army units in and around Baghdad. Lead elements of the Iraqi Army's 5th Battalion deployed to a base in western Baghdad in early August, 2004 for force protection operations at the base as part of the Iraqi government's continued effort to provide security to the nation.

2nd Brigade, 1st DivisionOn September 1, 2004 the 2nd Brigade, 1st Division IIF established it's headquarters at An Numaniyah. The brigade is comprised of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd battalions.

3rd Battalion 1st Battalion, 2nd BrigadeThe 1st Battalion, 2nd Brigade of the 1st Division was former known as the 3rd Battalion. The arrival of what was then known as the Iraqi Intervention Force's 3rd Battalion recruits coincided with the opening of An Numaniyah Base on Sept 1, 2004.  

8th Battalion 2nd Battalion, 2nd BrigadeThe 2nd Battalion, 2nd Brigade of the the 1st Division was formerly known as the 8th Battalion.

6th Brigade 3rd Bridage, 1st DivisionThe 3rd Brigade of the 1st Division is composed of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd battalions. It was formerly know as the 6th Brigade

22nd Battalion 3rd Brigade, 1st BattalionThe 3rd Brigade, 1st Battalion of the 1st Division was formerly known as the 22nd Battalion. What was then the 22nd Battalion with the other battalions of the 6th Brigade, deployed to Mosul for the January elections, was expected to stay no later than Feb. 15. But shortly after the elections, the unit received new orders. Instead of returning to its base near Baghdad , the brigade's 22nd, 23rd and 24th battalions were assigned to provide security in Mosul, even as American units were leaving. The 22nd and 24th battalions were to share sectors with American units but often work alone or with limited U.S. support. The Iraqi 22nd Battalion acted on information from informants and captured insurgents which led them to a warehouse filled with explosives, weapons, and munitions, March 7, 2005 in Al Jededa. The warehouse contained more than 200,000 small arms rounds, 13 rifles of various types, 11 rocket propelled grenade launchers, 116 rocket propelled grenades, 110 RPG booster rockets, nine complete mortar systems, 610 60mm mortar rounds, 208 82mm mortar rounds, 152 120mm mortar rounds, 11 122mm artillery rounds, 59 57mm rockets, two 107mm rockets, and one 73mm rocket. In addition, the soldiers found 225 blasting caps, more than 50 pounds of plastic explosives, detonation cord, timed fuses, 75 hand grenades, more than 1,800 pounds of explosive propellant, four boxes of improvised explosive device making materials, and radios and base station phones.

2nd Battalion 23rd BattalionWith the re-organization of the Iraqi Army the 23 Battalion, 6th Brigade was renamed the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 1st Division. Iraqi Intervention Force troops from 23rd Battalion, 6th Brigade assumed full responsibility for central Mosul during a transfer of authority ceremony in Mosul Mar. 7, 2005. The ceremony took place on a military base formerly occupied by Coalition Forces, and officially shifted authority from soldiers of 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment to the 23-6th IIF. According to military officials the transfer occurred due to the readiness of the 23-6th to assume the responsibility. They have demonstrated through the numerous successful independent operations they have performed capturing insurgents and seizing weapons.  

24th Battalion 1st Battalion, 3rd BrigadeWith the reorganization of the Iraqi Army the 24th Battalion was redesignated the 1st Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 1st Division. What was then the 24th Battalion with the other battalions of the 6th Brigade, deployed to Mosul for the January elections, was expected to stay no later than Feb. 15. But shortly after the elections, the unit received new orders. Instead of returning to its base near Baghdad , the brigade's 22nd, 23rd and 24th battalions were assigned to provide security in Mosul, even as American units were leaving. The 22nd and 24th battalions were to share sectors with American units but often work alone or with limited U.S. support.

4th Brigade 1st Brigade, 2nd DivisionThe 1st Brigade, 2nd Division was formerly known as the 4th Brigade. Three battalions from what was then the Iraqi army's 4th Brigade graduated basic training in a "march-on" ceremony at the Al Kasik Military Training Base west of Mosul, Oct. 15, 2004 as the Iraqi army continues the training effort in Iraq . A single company from each of the brigade's three battalions took part in the ceremony serving as a ceremonious "moving on" to follow-on training in anticipation of future operational duties.

12th Battalion 1st Battalion, 1st Brigade, 2nd DivisionThe 12th Battalion was redesignated the 1st Battalion, 1st Brigade of the 2nd Division with the re-organization of the Iraqi Army. On March 11, 2005, soldiers from what was then the 12th Battalion, 4th Brigade, conducted cordon-and-search operations in Ninevah, detaining 28 suspects, seizing 30 weapons and confiscating insurgent propaganda. On January 18, 2005 Iraqi army soldiers from the 12th Battalion detained three suspected insurgents east of Mosul today following an exchange of small-arms fire.  

7th Brigade 2nd Brigade, 2nd DivisionThe 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division was formerly known as the 7th Brigade before the re-organization of the Iraqi Army. The 2th Brigade of the 2nd Division is composed of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Battalions. In late January 2005, two battalions from what was then known as the Iraqi army's 7th Brigade, Iraqi Intervention Force, working with the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force near Fallujah on Jan. 20, found mines and rockets while on a security patrol.  

16th Battalion 1st Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 3rd DivisionWith the reorganization of the Iraqi Army the 16th Battalion was renamed the 1st Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division. On October 23, 2004, three minibuses filled with 49 recruits from the what was then known as the 16th Battalion, 7th Army Brigade were ambushed by insurgents dressed as police in the single most deadly attack to date. In January 2005, soldiers from the Iraqi army's 16th Battalion conducted six security patrols and three listening, observation and civilian sensing patrols and found six mines and two 40 mm rockets. Soldiers from the 17th Battalion conducted one early morning patrol and four day patrols and found 40 rockets. On March 23, 2005 soldiers, due to an informant, from the 16th Battalion found five 85mm mortars.

17th Battalion 2nd Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 3rd DivisionWith the reorganization of the Iraqi Army the 17th Battalion was redesignated the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division. A company from what used to be named the Iraqi Army's 17th Battalion, 7th Brigade, 5th Division, commenced bilateral training at the Mubarak Military City training facility near Alexandria, Egypt Nov. 25, 2005, as the Iraqi government continues the security forces training effort. The three-platoon company of 134 Soldiers - training with the Egyptian Army's 3rd Division, Northern Command - will negotiate individual movement technique, squad movement, land navigation, basic rifle marksmanship, rifle qualification, and platoon and company attack and defense training including live fire exercises with their Egyptian counterparts. In late January 2005 soldiers from the 17th Battalion conducted one early morning patrol and four day patrols and found 40 rockets

18th Battalion 3rd Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 3rd DivisionWith the reorganization of the Iraqi Army the 18th Brigade was redesignated the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division.

5th Brigade 2nd Brigade, 3rd DivisionWith the reorganization of the Iraqi Army the 5th Brigade, 3rd Division was redesignated the 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division. With the graduation of nearly 1,500 soldiers to what was then the 5th Brigade at the Kirkush Military Training Base March 20, 2005 all 27 battalions of nine brigades in the new Iraqi Army are now operational.

 8th Brigade 3rd Brigade, 3rd DivisionWith the reorganization of the Iraqi Army the 8th Brigade became the 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division. Approximately 900 Iraqi soldiers from what was then the 8th Brigade, 3rd Division graduated from basic military training at Al Kasik Military Training Base, 16 January 2005. In addition, 13 soldiers at the base completed a medical training program. Upon completion of its initial training phase, 8th Brigade joined the 3rd Division and begin tactical operations in support of election security within Ninewa Province.

4th DivisionOn January 9th 2005, Lt. Gen. Abdul Azziz Abdul Rahman Al Mufti, commander of the newly established 4th Iraqi Army Division helped to uncase the colors of the newly established 4th Iraqi Army Division on Jan. 6. The event marked the 84th anniversary of the founding of the Iraqi Army, originally established on Jan. 6, 1921. In Tikrit on January 9th, 2005 the new headquarters for the 30th Brigade, 4th Iraqi Army Division was opened. Lt. Gen. Abdul Azziz Abdul Rahman Al Mufti, commander of the newly established 4th Iraqi Army Division, and Gov. Hamad Hamood, governor of the Salah Ad Din province, marked the milestone with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The headquarters' grand opening came only days after all of the Iraqi National Guard units in the country were absorbed into the sovereign nation's new army.

30th Brigade 2nd Brigade, 4th DivisionWith the reorganization of the Iraqi Army the 30th Brigade was redesignated the 2nd Brigade, 4th Division.In Tikrit on January 9th, 2005 the new headquarters for what was then the 30th Brigade, 4th Iraqi Army Division was opened. Lt. Gen. Abdul Azziz Abdul Rahman Al Mufti, commander of the newly established 4th Iraqi Army Division, and Gov. Hamad Hamood, governor of the Salah Ad Din province, marked the milestone with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The headquarters' grand opening came only days after all of the Iraqi National Guard units in the country were absorbed into the sovereign nation's new army.

3rd Brigade 1st Brigade, 5th DivisionThe 1st Brigade, 5th Division was renamed after the reorganization of the Iraqi Army, it was fomerly known as the 3rd Brigade. On August 1, 2004 soldiers from the 7th Battalion completed what was then the 3rd brigade of the New Iraqi Army. By August 2004 steady growth and rapid progression seemed to be the status of the 3rd Brigade, Iraqi Army, based out of the Kirkush Military Training Base. The 3rd Brigade is composed of Iraqi Soldiers from the 5th, 6th, and 7th Battalions.

 5th Battalion 1st Battalion, 1st Brigade, 5th DivisionWith the reorganization of the Iraqi Army the 5th Battalion was redesignated the 1st Battalion, 1st Brigade of the 5th Division. What was then the Iraqi army's 5th Battalion was activated 01 August 2004 with the basic training completion and graduation of 723 training recruits in a ceremony at the Kirkush Military Training Base east of Baghdad . By August 2004 steady growth and rapid progression seems to be the status of the 3rd Brigade, Iraqi Army, including the 5th battalion. In November of 2004, The 5th Battalion, 3rd Brigade of the Iraqi Army seized Al Tawfiq Mosque with U.S. Marines from the 7th RCT. In March, 2005 Iraqi Army soldiers with the 5th Battalion, 3rd Brigade armed with metal detectors discovered three weapons caches buried in a village just south of Taji during a recent search that also netted three suspected insurgents - one of whom was on the local most wanted list.

6th Battalion 2nd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 5th DivisionWith the reoganization of the Iraqi Army the 6th Battalion was redesignated the 2nd Battalion, 1st Brigade in the Iraqi 5th Division. The Iraqi army's 6th Battalion as it wasn known then was activated July 8, 2004 with the basic training completion and graduation of 523 training recruits in a ceremony at the Kurkush Military Training Base, concluding the stand-up of its sixth fully-manned and trained battalion. Soldiers from the 6th Battalion have conducted military operations in the Diyala Province, as the 3rd Brigade expands its role in the security of Iraq . Missions conducted by the 6th Battalion have included traffic control checkpoints; dismount foot patrols, and cordon and search operations. Iraqi army 6th Battalion, 3rd Brigade, troops detained 17 suspect individuals and seized weapons during a Nov. 15, 2004 cordon-and-search operation conducted north of Fallujah with assistance provided by soldiers from the U.S. Army's 1st Cavalry Division. Since operations commenced in Fallujah, 6th Battalion had been primarily involved in traffic-control point, cordon-and-search, and other various security operations outside of the city in support of operations inside the town.

7th Battalion 3nd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 5th DivisionWith the reorganization of the Iraqi Amry the 7th Battalion became the 3nd Battalion, 1st Brigade of the 5th Division. The Iraqi army's 7th Battalion as it was known then was activated 01 August 2004 with the basic training completion and graduation of 723 training recruits in a ceremony at the Kirkush Military Training Base east of Baghdad , concluding the stand-up of the army's fifth fully-manned and trained battalion. It also completed the Iraqi army's 3rd Brigade of the 5th Division. The 7th Battalion participated in Operation "Baton Rouge" to free Samarra which began on October 1st, 2004. Operation Baton Rouge also involed soldiers from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team (Dagger); the 1st Squadron, 4th United States Cavalry (Saber); the 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment (Golden Dragon); and elements of five Iraqi Security Force battalions including the 201st, 202nd, and 203rd Iraqi National Guard Battalions; the 1st Ministry of Interior Commando Battalion; and the 36th Commando Battalion. The combined Iraqi and coalition force seized the city by noon on the first day killing more than 127 insurgents and detaining another 128.  

Kirkush Military Training Base (KMTB) Camp CaldwellElements of the 4th Infantry Division were stationed at Camp Caldwell (or Caldhell). Army Spc. Nathaniel A. Caldwell of Omaha, Nebraska was responding to a civilian call when his vehicle rolled over in Baghdad, Iraq. Caldwell was assigned to the 404th Air Support Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas. He died on May 21, 2003. A 4th Infantry Division soldier died while sleeping at a base camp in the town of Kirkush on 08 August 2003. Kirkush is located some 90 km northeast of Baghdad and 20 km from the Iranian border. Kir Kush [Kirkhush, 33°43'10"N 045°17'24"E ] is not a city. Until the US Army arrived, it was an abandoned Iraqi military facility. Construction had begun in the mid-1980s and ceased in the late 1980s or early 1990s. The entire facility covers about 100 acres and has several medium size groups of building called PODs. The main road to KirKush is not paved

and has no markings to indicate a highway number or route number. Actually, it is probably not the main road as the convoys take various routes to confuse the enemy. About a kilometer outside of KirKush is a cement factory. The cement factory near KirKush has several smoke stacks that are black and about 50 feet high. Camp Caldwell has a fitness center and barbershop. It also is home to four Morale, Welfare and Recreation rooms with a total of 100 computers and 37 phones. In a unique program, soldiers can purchase CHUNET, a personal wireless Internet service in each CHU for $150 for three months of service. This gives soldiers both more unlimited access to the Internet as well as privacy during usage. However, the regiment’s command can still shut down the system at anytime for security reasons. Individual CHUs may also order television satellite dishes for $150 for three months of service. The service offers 15 English channels and 30 channels in total. Soldiers are not permitted to use satellite phones because of the risk of monitoring by insurgent forces.Kirkush Military Training Base (KMTB)The new Iraqi Army of 40,000 persons require basing facilities at 18 locations. Prospective Military Bases to re-construct include Kurkush (under Construction as of mid-Jan 2004) Kirkush Military Training Base (KMTB), Iraq (Mercator Grid Reference System 38SNC 22027 30374) is approximately 70 miles east of Baghdad, close to the Iranian border. Coalition officials are hoping security will improve when a new Iraqi army is formed. The first battalion of that new army graduated from training on 04 October 2003. Their training camp is near Kirkush, 90 kilometers northest of Baghdad. Some 750 recruits lived and worked at the Kirkush base, a group of squat cement buildings standing in the desert far from the nearest town. The battalion began their 9 week training course on August 2, 2003. During their time in Kirkush, the trainees were instructed in a variety of subjects from the laws of war and codes of conduct to first aid and marksmanship. The first battalion will become part of the U.S. 4th Infantry Division and work along side Coalition forces to protect Iraq's borders. A number of graduates will remain at the training base to become instructors for future battalions of the Iraqi Army. They will continue to receive advanced training focused on their specific mission, once assigned. The training facility, located 130 kilometers northeast of Baghdad in Kirkush, is one of three sites located throughout Iraq that had begun construction by a Yugoslavian company more than a decade ago, prior to the first Persian Gulf War. However, after that conflict, with the onset of United Nations sanctions that curbed Saddam's military build-up, construction stopped. These facilities were left unused, undeveloped, and essentially abandoned for more than ten years. However, since they were still the property of Saddam's government, looting and stealing from these 'ghost-towns' was not a problem -- fear of Saddam kept these unfinished facilities secure. The roughly 4 kilometer square area was designed to accommodate seven battalions worth of soldiers with roughly 200 buildings, which include barracks, kitchens, classrooms, administrative buildings, warehouses, maintenance facilities and everything you would expect at a military base. There is even the outline of foundations for family housing units that were never completed. Once the regime fell and the blanket of fear lifted, many of these building were looted for windows, doors, plumbing and electrical fixtures, or simply vandalized in reprisal against the old regime. Because of the remote location of the facility, and with the lack of water and electrical utility connections from national systems, the Iraqi Contractor, Al Mansoor Construction Company, a state-owned enterprise, solved the needs for essential utility systems for the unfinished facility. Operators were having difficulty getting potable water brought to the site from the nearby town of Balad Ruz, 17 kilometers away. Generators were flown in by IAP, a company that had worked closely with the Corps of Engineers on other emergency response missions, to provide the necessary electricity to the site, especially in a country that is having difficult with their national grid. The pace of the team was important for the facility to be ready to accept the first Iraqi recruits, roughly 700 soldiers (an entire battalion), at the beginning of August 2003 for a nine-week training program. Three thousand more are expected in November 2003. The clock was ticking for Iraq to develop their own security, and ticking faster for the team of Iraqi Engineers and the corps, which needed to provide these facilities for that army. Coalition forces were using the Kirkush facility as a base before it was identified as the first training site for the new Iraqi Army - now they operate as neighbors to the trainees. On one side of the base the US was building these facilities, on the other side were US forces. People you used to think were your enemy were living on one side and you were on the other. It was very much a definite shift of thought. Force protection issues had to be coordinated to allow coalition military operations to continue yet allow access for Iraqi contractors to finish the facilities. Such separation is not entirely unlike stateside arrangements on U.S. facilities where new recruits are isolated from other post activities to enhance their focus to training. The separation helped the trainers maintain a consistent program with the recruits. The training was handled by specialists under contract from the Vinnell Corp., a subsidiary of Northrop Grumman. Vinnell subcontracted most of the Kirkush training to MPRI, an Alexandria firm that helped train the new Croatian and Bosnian armies

8th DivisionOn March 25, 2005 soldiers from the 8th Iraqi Army Division seized a 3-ton cache of TNT and hundreds of thousands of rounds of ammunition following an Iraqi army raid near Jurf al-Sakher. 121 suspects were also detained in the raid. In total the raid led to the confiscation of: 3 tons of TNT 624 rifles 250,000 light ammunition rounds 22,000 medium ammunition rounds 193 RPG launchers 300 RPG rockets 27 82mm mortar tubes 155 82mm mortar rounds On 20 December 2005, staff of the 8th IA Division accomplished the certification process. It means the ability of the division’s staff to plan and conduct the operations with limited support of the Coalition Forces. Now, the units of the 8th Division will continue to move forward to achieve the full combat readiness. In the nearest future final coordination with local and central administration will be completed in order to formally finalize the process of battlespace transfer. Certification process was preceded by long term trainings, exercises and combat operations. Before certification on the Division staff level six battalions and two brigades of the 8th Iraqi Army Division completed certification process towards the goal of combat readiness. The main elements of the training process included planning and executing counter insurgency operations which encompassed cordon and search techniques check points,

patrolling and convoy protection. Tactical training such as weapons proficiency, engineering, communication, medical support and logistics also contributed to the overall certification process. Main, final test to check the capabilities of 8th IA Div soldiers was conducted during parliament elections in December. Division staff under supervision of MNDCS Military Transition Teams had planned and conducted operation to provide the security environment during elections. Staff and Iraqi soldiers passed this exam successfully. The ceremony of signing the protocol of certification took place in 8th Iraqi Army headquarters in Ad Diwaniyah. Protocol was signed by MNDCS Commanding General MG Piotr CZERWINSKI and 8th IA Div Commanding General MG Othman Ali FERHOOD. Iraqi Land Forces Commander and Multinational Security Transition Command-Iraq Commander participated in the ceremony. Growing capability of the Iraqi Army allows MNDCS to be day by day closer to desire end state. We want to see Iraqi Army capable of maintaining the domestic order, said MG Czerwinski, MNDCS Commander during the ceremony.  

1st Division 9th Division (Mechanized)The 9th divison (mechanized) as of April 2006, was comprised of the 1st and 2nd mechanized brigade with the 3rd mechanized brigade still forming. The 9th division (mechanized) used to be designated the 1st division (mechanized). 

1st Brigade (Mechanized)The 1st Mechanized brigade's mission has been to augment the current counterinsurgency operations, in areas where a mechanized capability is required. The brigade was the first in the 1st Mechanized Division. The 1st mechanized brigade of about 3,000 soldiers has been entirely funded, trained, and equipped by the Iraqi Ministry of Defense. On Nov. 2, 2004 The 1st Mechanized Brigade rolled out four T55 tanks, 18 multi-purpose armored vehicles and one recovery vehicle, as the government continued the stand up of it's first armed forces armored element. The armored vehicles - transported from a base near Muqdadiyah in northeastern Iraq to the Taji Military Training Base north of Baghdad after a refurbishment period - were just the initial armored vanguard for the Army with another six T55s and 16 multi-purpose armored vehicles delivered a week later.

40th BrigadeA change of command ceremony for the 40th Iraqi National Guard (ING) Brigade was held at the ING compound at Camp Al Tahreer, Baghdad Dec. 8, 2004. ING Maj. Gen. Mudhir Mawla Abood turned over his command of the 40th ING to Brig. Gen. Jaleel Khalaf Shwail. Iraqi and Coalition Forces made history Feb. 21 when the 40th Iraqi National Guard Brigade officially assumed control of its area of operation. This is the first ING brigade to stand alone and have direct control over an area of operation. Brig. Gen. Jaleel Khalaf Shwail, 40th Brigade commander, said he is proud to represent his country and his more than 2,800 Soldiers.

302nd BattalionSoldiers from the 302nd Battalion, 40th Iraqi Army Brigade found a large weapons cache the night of March 14, 2005 and detained three men during a patrol near Haifa Street in Baghdad . The cache consisted of two 60-millimeter mortar rounds, thirteen 60mm mortar base plates, two 82mm mortar base plates, 22 rocket-propelled grenades and six RPG launchers. The Iraqi Soldiers also found 12 fragmentary grenades, one RPK machine gun, 14 rocket-propelled- grenade fuses, a homemade grenade, an improvised explosive device and eight AK-47 magazines. A military assistance team from the 3rd Infantry Division's 4th Battalion, 64th Armored Regiment assisted Iraqi Security Forces during the operation.

303rd BattalionThe 303rd Battalion, 40th Brigade during the election was responsible for ensuring the security around the 24 polling stations, as well as the stations themselves, around Al Ameriyah on January 30, 2005. Most of the soldiers of the 303rd Battalion were prior-service members.

306th BattalionOn January 21, 2005 the 306th Battalion, 40th Brigade assumed responsibility for security operations in a portion of the Sadr City area from the U.S. 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, Lancers. The 306th has worked in Sadr City with 2-5 cavalry on raids, patrols and checkpoints, aiding in the capture of numberous terrorists, insurgents, and weapons caches in the past.

307th BattalionAt Hawk Base, near Camp Taji, Iraq in March, 2005, Soldiers of the 307th Battalion underwent training from the 4th Battalion, 1st Artiller Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 1st Armored Division. Their training comes with the intention of learning the skills necessary to secure the 307th's area of northwest Baghdad .

New Iraqi Army FacilitiesThe new Iraqi Army of 40,000 persons require basing facilities at 18 locations.

XXX XX X Al Hillah Recruiting StationAl Kasik Military BaseAl Taji Military Base An Numaniyah Military BaseAr RustimiyahBaghdad IAPBaghdad Muthenna Recruiting StationBaqcuba Recruiting StationCamp AshrafKirkuk Recruiting StationKirkuk Army BaseKirkush Military Training Base (KMTB)MEK Training CampTallil Military Base Tikrit Military Base