U.S. Coalition Transition Team Mark Continued Positive Progress
Iraq-
Ground Forced deployed alongside local Iraqi Forces are seeing continued and steady improvement in the efforts of Iraq to train and retain quality troops of their own. Iraqi Forces from the First Battalion, Brigade Five, of the 6th Iraqi Army have been growing in experience and training, operating shoulder to shoulder alongside their U.S. Forces trainers.
First Lieutenant Xeon Simpson was not sure exactly what to expect when he arrive in Iraqi Last November. Since his arrival with Company C, First Battalion, Fifth Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, First Cavalry Division Lieutenant Simpson has seen slow steady progress in the quality of Iraqi ground Forces.
“These Iraqi Forces rise to the top,†stated 1st Lt. Simpson. “They are consistently tops among all the other battalions in their brigade,†said Simpson.  “When they have an inspection, no matter if it is announced, or a surprise inspection, they always come out in first placeâ€.
When Iraqi and U.S. Forces learned of a possible local explosives lab in late May 2007, the local Iraqi Forces planned and executed their own “knock and cordon†mission, on June 7th.  They quickly located
And eliminated the lab, with nearly one hundred percent autonomy.
This mission, conducted in the Monsour area is just one example of the independence and increasing Iraqi Troop quality.  Iraqi Forces are quick to ask for help or assistance should they need it, but they are growing in experience and confidence, making such assistance from U.S. Forces unnecessary.
“Once they have a mission in hand, or an order for Operations, they immediately go out and perform the mission, and they do it pretty good too†stated Lieutenant Simpson.
