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Blackanthem Military News
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Last Updated:
Mar 20, 2010 - 5:39:42 PM |
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Congressmen catch insider's view on Iraq's elite fighting force
By U.S. Army Sgt. Jeffrey A. Ledesma, Special Operations Task Force - Central Public Affairs
Aug 26, 2009 - 1:53:40 PM
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Blackanthem Military News
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| A reporter interviews U.S. Representative Patrick Murphy during a visit to the Iraqi Special Operations Forces compound in Baghdad Aug. 8. Murphy said he appreciated the hard work ISOF is doing for themselves and the Iraqi people. He is also the first Iraq war veteran elected to Congress and serves as representative for the 8th district in Pennsylvania. (Photo by Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Jimmy C. Pan) |
BAGHDAD, Iraq - It is not often that elected officials trade the political arena for a live-fire "shoot house", but with smoke filtering through the air, gunfire echoing throughout the building, and humvees roaring in the background, that is exactly what these congressmen did.
As they watched from the safe second-story viewing platform, the chocolate-chip painted humvees screeched into the warehouse kicking up dust.
U.S. Representatives Patrick Murphy, Joe Wilson, Gus Bilirakis and Ben Lujan received an up-close-and-personal view of the Iraqi Special Operations Forces' tactical capabilities during a demonstration held on an Iraqi military compound in Baghdad on Aug. 8.
Almost happening simultaneously, there was a flash of light and a deafening bang - leaving the Iraqi Soldiers nothing but a breached entryway. With lightening-fast speed and pin-point accuracy, elements of the elite fighting force cleared each room, one after another.
"This gives [the congressmen] an opportunity to see what impact U.S. Special Forces has had here and the capability of the ISOF," said Brig. Gen. Mangum, the commanding general of the Iraq National Counter-Terror Force Transition Team. "This can help in making the best possible decisions for the future."
In a matter of minutes, two Soldiers playing the role of insurgents were hauled out of the building. The mock terrorists were quickly loaded into the humvees - the first step toward making insurgents accountable for their crimes through the Iraqi judicial system.
"I am so proud to see you and the incredible training you've done," said Murphy, a democrat from Pennsylvania who six years ago was a Soldier fighting in Iraq. "It looks like all of you are better Soldiers than I ever was," he added with a smile across his face.
Addressing the formation of ISOF Soldiers, Murphy thanked each of them for their commitment to standing up for their country.
Commitment to country is something Wilson also knows plenty about. In addition to being a congressman, Wilson is a 31-year veteran in the Army Reserve and National Guard with two sons who have served in Iraq. Like most public figures, the republican from South Carolina felt the need to travel to the Middle East to show his support.
It was important for him to make this trip, a trip he tries to accomplish every six months, to talk with Soldiers to make sure they have everything they need to accomplish their mission, Wilson said. "They deserve the best equipment possible," he continued.
Besides ensuring his colleagues on Capitol Hill have an up-to-date perspective on the concerns of ground troops in Iraq, he also finds personal significance in trips like this one. "I come here to be a source of encouragement for Soldiers," Wilson claimed. "But the servicemembers actually end up inspiring me more and they never fail to do so."
Being current participants on the political stage, all of the congressmen have been or will be asked if Iraq is ready. "The proof is in the pudding," said Murphy, the first Iraqi war veteran elected into office. "We have to hand over the keys to them."
All in attendance share the common goal for a better Iraq. Murphy explained that he hopes, when his two-year-old daughter is old enough, he will be able to visit Iraq with his family.
After the demonstration, targets covered with bullet holes, each with a terrorist shielding himself with an innocent bystander, were given to the congressmen as gifts of remembrance and proof of ISOF's pin-point accuracy.
As he rushed to catch a helicopter flight, Wilson said he couldn't help but come away from this experience feeling "really thrilled and impressed."
"That's the best show they're going to see all day," Mangum added with a hint of pride.
ADDITIONAL PHOTOS:
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| A reporter interviews U.S. congressman Patrick Murphy during a visit to the Iraqi Special Operations Forces compound in Baghdad Aug. 8. Murphy said he appreciated the hard work ISOF is doing for themselves and the Iraqi people. He is also the first Iraq war veteran elected to Congress and serves as representative for the 8th district in Pennsylvania. (Photo by Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Jimmy C. Pan) |
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| Members of Iraqi Special Operations Forces prepare to breach an entryway into a mock terrorist hideout during a capability demonstration for a congressional visit at the ISOF compound in Baghdad Aug. 8. (Photo by Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Jimmy C. Pan) |
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| Standing beside Maj. Gen. Fadhel Al-Barwari (right), the commanding officer of the Iraqi Special Operations Force's 1st Brigade, U.S. Representative Patrick Murphy (center) speaks to ISOF Soldiers after a capability demonstration in Baghdad Aug. 8. The representative for the 8th district in Pennsylvania is also the first Iraq war veteran elected to Congress. (Photo by Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Jimmy C. Pan) |
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| Army Brig. Gen. Kevin Mangum, the commanding general of the Iraq National Counter-Terrorism Force Transition Team, thanks Maj. Gen. Fadhel Al-Barwari, the commanding officer of the Iraq Special Operations Forces' 1st Brigade, through an interpreter for his support during a congressional visit in Baghdad Aug. 8. (Photo by Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Jimmy C. Pan) |
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