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Blackanthem Military News
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Last Updated:
Mar 19, 2010 - 6:16:21 PM |
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Blackanthem Military News
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| Maj. Oscar Pintado, 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment Military Transition Team leader, speaks with his Iraqi counterpart during a mission to find weapons caches in the western desert near Bayji, Iraq. Photo by Sgt. Rick Rzepka, 1st BCT, 101st Airborne Division (AA) |
BAYJI, Iraq - Iraqis taking care of Iraqis. This is the shape of things to come here.
Garnering the trust and cooperation of the Iraqi people, Iraqi Army battalions near the oil rich town of Bayji, have made the turn. No longer is the burgeoning Iraqi Army being coddled by their American counterparts. Rather, according to Military Transition Team Soldiers of the 1st Battlaion, 327th Infantry Regiment, Iraq's defenders are confident, determined and capable of securing its citizens.
As violence tapers off across the country, Iraq's security forces are increasingly taking responsibility for the security of the people. Seen as a critical component of success here, Iraq's Army has grown from a pocket-sized force in 2004, to a military monolith that has earned the trust of the people and the respect of its Coalition partners.
"In the last 11 months, they have made a 180 degree turnaround," said Maj. Oscar Pintado, who leads 1-327th's MiTT Team. "They are now conducting unilateral operations at the battalion level throughout their area of operations with little or no Coalition support," he said.
The support they do receive comes from the Soldiers of Pintado's advisor team, who serve at teachers, trainers and mentors for the maturing army.
"We operate as a battalion staff, trainers and combat advisors," said Pintado whose 13-man team lives and works with their IA counterparts.
By design, MiTT teams encompass a wide range of military specialties and ranks, which offers the IA a well rounded training experience. The Soldiers, who range from the rank of Staff Sgt. to Major, are experts in specialties like supply, infantry, medical, intelligence and communications. They seek to broaden the IA's toolkit by providing them the skills they need to operate at a level necessary to win the peace.
To see the IA conducting operations autonomously more than a year ago in the Salah ad Din province, was unheard of, said Pintado. "They were heavily dependent for logistical and operational support," he said. "They had a lot of challenges due to the fairly young Iraqi logistical system," he said.
Today, as the IA continues to refine its supply and transportation systems, Iraqi Soldiers are more willing than ever to safeguard Iraq from its enemies. "They are now more proactive, confident, determined and willing to take the fight to the enemy," said Pintado. "They are capable of securing the population."
According to Pintado the development of the IA has been a major factor in reducing violence in the province and demonstrates to the people that the IA is a legitimate and well disciplined force. "Their presence has allowed the people to feel more secure and has opened doors for more cooperation between the population and the IA in general," he said.
For the 1-327 MiTT, leading by example has paid dividends that will have long lasting effects.
"They see you there sweating, operating, eating and training with them, and they will be more open to listen and learn from you, but most importantly, they will want to show you that they can do it and are as capable as you are," said Pintado.
ADDITIONAL PHOTOS:
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| Maj. Oscar Pintado, 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment Military Transition Team leader watches as Iraqi Army Soldiers clear an objective in the desert near Bayji, Iraq. Pintado's MiTT Soldiers are responsible for training and advising two Iraqi Army battalions. Photo by Sgt. Rick Rzepka, 1st BCT, 101st Airborne Division (AA) |
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| Maj. Oscar Pintado, 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment Military Transition Team leader listens to a man speak with Iraqi Army Soldiers about possible enemy activity in the desert near Bayji, Iraq. Pintado's MiTT Soldiers are responsible for training and advising two Iraqi Army battalions. Photo by Sgt. Rick Rzepka, 1st BCT, 101st Airborne Division (AA) |
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| 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment Military Transition Team members speak with Iraqi Army Soldiers during a mission to find enemy weapons caches in the desert near Bayji, Iraq. Pintado's MiTT Soldiers are responsible for training and advising two Iraqi Army battalions in the area. Photo by Sgt. Rick Rzepka, 1st BCT, 101st Airborne Division (AA) |
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| Oscar Pintado, 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment Military Transition Team leader shakes hands with an Iraqi Army Soldier during a recent mission near Bayji, Iraq. Pintado's MiTT Soldiers are responsible for training and advising two Iraqi Army battalions in the area. Photo by Sgt. Rick Rzepka, 1st BCT, 101st Airborne Division (AA) |
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| 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment Military Transition Team members help advise and train Iraqi Army Soldiers during a mission near Bayji, Iraq. Photo by Sgt. Rick Rzepka, 1st BCT, 101st Airborne Division (AA) |
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| Iraqi Army Soldiers search for enemy weapons caches in the desert near Bayji, Iraq. The Soldiers have been trained and mentored by Military Transition Team Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st BCT, 101st Airborne Division. Photo by Sgt. Rick Rzepka, 1st BCT, 101st Airborne Division (AA) |
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| Iraqi Army Soldiers search for enemy weapons caches in the desert near Bayji, Iraq. The Soldiers have been trained and mentored by Military Transition Team Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st BCT, 101st Airborne Division. Photo by Sgt. Rick Rzepka, 1st BCT, 101st Airborne Division (AA) |
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| A 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment Military Transition Team Soldier searches for weapons caches along with Iraqi Army Soldiers in the western desert near Bayji, Iraq. Photo by Sgt. Rick Rzepka, 1st BCT, 101st Airborne Division (AA) |
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| A 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment Military Transition Team Soldier searches for weapons caches along with Iraqi Army Soldiers in the western desert near Bayji, Iraq. Photo by Sgt. Rick Rzepka, 1st BCT, 101st Airborne Division (AA) |
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| A 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment Military Transition Team Soldier searches for weapons caches in the sparsely vegetated desert near Bayji, Iraq along with Iraqi Army Soldiers. Photo by Sgt. Rick Rzepka, 1st BCT, 101st Airborne Division (AA) |
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| An Iraqi Army Soldier provides security as his platoon searches for weapons in the western desert of Bayji, Iraq. Photo by Sgt. Rick Rzepka, 1st BCT, 101st Airborne Division (AA) |
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omayra.
24 Aug 2008, 16:34
oscar pintado is my daddy. =) i am so proud to be his daughter and i hope
that they come home soon. i love you daddy. =)
Migdalia Rodriguez
18 Aug 2008, 05:07
Hope this will end soon
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