Baghdad River Patrol Training Center Holds Joint Graduation for Waterborne Operations and Search-and-Recovery Dive Students
By Multi-National Security Transition Command - Iraq
Sep 18, 2009 - 5:16:59 PM
Blackanthem Military News
BAGHDAD, Iraq - The Baghdad River Patrol Training Center conducted a joint graduation for 18 waterborne operations and nine search-and-recovery dive students here Sept. 16.
Demonstrations by the instructors and students at the graduation included a waterborne boat stop and apprehension of a fleeing suspect, a lift-bag recovery of a sunken boat, and a swift water rescue of a drowning victim.
Students from Babil, Baghdad, Diyala, Najaf, Dhi Qar, and Ninawa provinces were represented in this joint graduation. Each student will return to his respective province better trained and equipped to assist with the security of Iraq's waterways.
The Waterborne Operations Course, which began Aug. 10, emphasizes river patrol skills, beginning with basic theories on police boat operations and progressing to students demonstrating capabilities to perform multiple complex job functions associated with river patrol operations. These job functions include everything from manning of weapons platforms, observer functions, and boat operator skills. The course culminated with each student demonstrating his proficiency at operating a police patrol boat, performing various maneuvers, and demonstrating mastery of watercraft techniques.
The Search and Recovery Diver Course started June 22. It begins with basic level SCUBA training, and progresses to advanced level search and recovery training, based upon an internationally recognized training curriculum. Basic skills are taught in a pool environment; students progress to a lake environment, and conduct their final search pattern training in the Tigris River. The aggressive course plan enables students with minimal experience to dive in conditions that would challenge even the most experienced divers - extremely limited underwater visibility and swift currents.