First regiment of M1A1SA tanks is activated
مرسل: الجمعة أكتوبر 22, 2010 12:43 am
BAGHDAD – Iraqi and U.S. senior leaders recently gathered here at Camp Iraqi Hero to commemorate the Iraqi Army increasing its defensive capabilities by expanding its M1A1 Abrams tank inventory.The United States Forces - Iraq Deputy Commanding General for Advising and Training, U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Michael D. Barbero, answers media questions during an M1A1 Abrams delivery to the Iraqi Army at Camp Iraqi Hero, Oct. 14, 2010. USA photo/Sgt. Eunice Alicea Valentin.
“This is a significant milestone in the progress the Iraqi Army has made in the last seven years,” said the United States Forces - Iraq Deputy Commanding General for Advising and Training, U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Michael D. Barbero.
As of Oct. 14, 35 tanks have arrived at the Besmaya Combat Training Center as part of a larger, comprehensive program to modernize Iraq’s conventional defensive capabilities.Iraqi Soldiers with the 9th Iraqi Army Mechanized Division demonstrate the capabilities of their M1A1 Abrams tanks during a demonstration at Camp Iraqi Hero, Oct. 14, 2010. USA photo/Sgt. Eunice Alicea Valentin.
The package also includes eight M88A2 recovery vehicles, training courses, maintenance training courses, and training ammunition. The remaining 105 tanks and recovery vehicles are scheduled to arrive by December 2011.
“We need to be ready to protect the Iraqi people 24 hours a day, seven days a week; this is our duty,” said Iraq’s Minister of Defense, Lt. Gen. Abdul Qadir Mohammed Jassim Obeidi al-Mifarji.
The beginning of Operation New Dawn in September marked a critical transition in the American-Iraqi partnership. The remaining 50,000 U.S. troops in Iraq are now dedicated to the Advising and Training mission, Barbero said. U.S. troops are partnered with Iraqi Security Forces to assist them as required.
Prior to the arrival of the new Iraqi tanks, the U.S. and Iraqi Armies collaboratively developed a training program in early 2009 to help familiarize Iraqi crewmembers with the Abrams.
“What other country in the world would let another country use their tanks for training?” said the defense minister.
“The Iraqi Army has been the fastest growing Army in the world,” Barbero said. “These tanks represent this growth and will help strengthen the Iraqi Army’s ability to protect the sovereignty of Iraq.”
“This is a significant milestone in the progress the Iraqi Army has made in the last seven years,” said the United States Forces - Iraq Deputy Commanding General for Advising and Training, U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Michael D. Barbero.
As of Oct. 14, 35 tanks have arrived at the Besmaya Combat Training Center as part of a larger, comprehensive program to modernize Iraq’s conventional defensive capabilities.Iraqi Soldiers with the 9th Iraqi Army Mechanized Division demonstrate the capabilities of their M1A1 Abrams tanks during a demonstration at Camp Iraqi Hero, Oct. 14, 2010. USA photo/Sgt. Eunice Alicea Valentin.
The package also includes eight M88A2 recovery vehicles, training courses, maintenance training courses, and training ammunition. The remaining 105 tanks and recovery vehicles are scheduled to arrive by December 2011.
“We need to be ready to protect the Iraqi people 24 hours a day, seven days a week; this is our duty,” said Iraq’s Minister of Defense, Lt. Gen. Abdul Qadir Mohammed Jassim Obeidi al-Mifarji.
The beginning of Operation New Dawn in September marked a critical transition in the American-Iraqi partnership. The remaining 50,000 U.S. troops in Iraq are now dedicated to the Advising and Training mission, Barbero said. U.S. troops are partnered with Iraqi Security Forces to assist them as required.
Prior to the arrival of the new Iraqi tanks, the U.S. and Iraqi Armies collaboratively developed a training program in early 2009 to help familiarize Iraqi crewmembers with the Abrams.
“What other country in the world would let another country use their tanks for training?” said the defense minister.
“The Iraqi Army has been the fastest growing Army in the world,” Barbero said. “These tanks represent this growth and will help strengthen the Iraqi Army’s ability to protect the sovereignty of Iraq.”