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| Iraq |
| Iraq Assumes Control of Its 8th Army Division |
| 2006-09-05 |
| Who is the Gen. Othman Farhood guy and who does he really answer to? The Maliki government? The Hakim cabal? The Iranians? Presumably not the Baathists, but ..? IRAQI GROUND FORCES COMMAND ASSUMES COMMAND AND CONTROL OF 8TH IRAQI ARMY DIVISION BAGHDAD – The Iraqi Ground Forces Command assumed command and control here today of one of its Iraqi Army divisions from the Multi-National Corps-Iraq, marking the first step toward Iraqi sovereignty over their own armed forces. The 8th Iraqi Army Division, commanded by Maj. Gen Othman Ali Salih Farhood, which had reported to Multi-National Division-Baghdad as a subordinate unit, will now report directly to the IGFC as an adjacent unit to MND-B. It was the first Iraqi Army division to take the lead in its sector on January 27, 2006. In a gradual sequence over the following months, the IGFC will assume control of the remaining nine Iraqi Army divisions. The IGFC was stood up on May 15, 2005 as the Corps-level command for providing command, control and guidance to the 10 Iraqi Army divisions. Over the past year, MNC-I worked closely with the IGFC in a partnership to develop procedures, training and infrastructure that enables the IGFC to effectively command and control maneuver units to provide for Iraq’s security. Later this week, the IFGC will join its sister services, the Iraqi Air Force and the Iraqi Navy, in a formal ceremony marking the transition of operational control of Iraqi Armed Forces from Coalition Forces to the Government of Iraq. On May 3, 2006, the IGFC officially opened its Joint Operations Center, a modern, command center in which all elements of the headquarters staff are represented, to monitor and process data from throughout Iraq in real time. Today’s assumption of control by the IGFC demonstrates the increased capability of the Iraqi Army to assume control of security tasks and is another significant step toward Iraqi security self-reliance. |
| Posted by:Glenmore |
| #4 I just wonder if the new IAF will equip itself with all Western aircraft or if they will do like the Iraqi Army and blending in Western equipment with their old Soviet stuff? One advantage to the IAF using rebuilt Soviet aircraft like Migs or Sukhois is that they have institutional memory involving them. Also, the costs of upgraded Migs and the like from the new NATO powers like Poland and Hungary is still less per plane than most of the Western models. Another benefit to that approach is that it lets the new NATO countries selloff their old equipment and switch to newer Western gear, at a faster pace and less cost since the old gear is paying for much of the new gear. |
| Posted by: Shieldwolf 2006-09-05 20:50 |
| #3 I suspect that we will quietly hunt up prospective pilots and mechanics and ship them off to Texas very discreetly. Then they will suddenly return home to Iraq with their aircraft, to a fully operational airbase or three, under tight security. Well, not so discreetly: BAGHDAD, March 3, 2006 – A fully certified aircrew takes flight, and a single air base opens its gates. These feats represent giant steps toward independence and national security to Iraqi airmen training side by side here with U.S. Air Force members. Since November, the U.S. Air Force has taken on the mission of standing up the Iraqi air force, enabling Iraqis to gradually take over operations and help secure their nation's future. "In only a few months they have made significant progress," U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. David W. Eidsaune, Air Component Coordination Element director, said. "We're working closely with them on a plan for their future. We agree on where they're going and how to get there." Iraqi airmen agree that progress has been made, but know there's still a long road to travel. "We are starting over," Iraqi Air Force Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Kamal Barzanjy said. "America has given us a lot of help, and we have already accomplished many things, but we need to keep growing." To assist them, the U.S. has given the Iraq a small fleet of C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft. Despite these growing pains, the Iraqi air force is taking part in some coalition operations. "The IAF is playing a limited, but effective role in our operations," Eidsaune said. "Their current aircraft are kept busy transporting troops, supplies and distinguished visitors." In addition, the Iraqi air force plays a small role in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations. "Iraqi ISR assets are tasked by the local (Iraqi) army division to scan their local infrastructure, including pipelines and borders," he said. "These assets bring back valuable intelligence to ground commanders, and are definitely making a difference." |
| Posted by: Steve 2006-09-05 14:45 |
| #2 But whaddabout the Yahoo/AP article I posted as Bodies Scattered Around Baghdad? Rebecca, the AP writer, sez, Disagreements continued over the handover of Iraq's armed forces command from the U.S.-led coalition to the Iraqi government Hmmmm..... Maybe her stringers didn't see the news about the division assuming control? Or just didn't report it to her in the Green Zone? Or maybe she edited it out as 'irrelevant'? |
| Posted by: Bobby 2006-09-05 14:16 |
| #1 The two things the Iraqi army still needs is a heavy division or two, which I guess is in the works, and an air force. I suspect that we will quietly hunt up prospective pilots and mechanics and ship them off to Texas very discreetly. Then they will suddenly return home to Iraq with their aircraft, to a fully operational airbase or three, under tight security. This will make the Iranians poop large inside their burkas. |
| Posted by: Anonymoose 2006-09-05 10:55 |