Besmaya Continues Training Mission

An Iraqi Army officer learns to disassemble his newly issued M-16 rifle at Besmaya Range Complex July 2007.

Diyala Province School Prepares Iraqi Soldiers For The Fight Against Terrorism Throughout Their Nation

By U.S. Navy MC2 Elisandro Diaz
MNSTC-I Public Affairs

BESMAYA, Iraq – How is the government of Iraq to provide security and stability for its people is a common question throughout the world’s capitals presently. One crucial part of the answer lies in how Iraq’s government is addressing the need for professionally trained infantry officers and enlisted soldiers at the Besmaya Range Complex in Diyala province, east of Baghdad.

One example of the progress made in developing Iraq’s Security Forces is the 32 Iraqi Army infantry officers which graduated July 24, from the Officer Basic Course at the Besmaya Range Complex. It is one of many courses offered at Iraq’s largest training facility and falls under the authority of the Combined Arms School. Some of the training during the six-week course includes squad-level tactics, traffic control points, entry control points, rocket-propelled grenades, AK-47 qualifications and human rights.

Many of the officers are scheduled to return to divisions participating in Fardh Al-Qanoon – Enforcing the Law, the security surge in Baghdad. According to U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Robin Swan, Coalition Military Assistance Transition Team commanding general, the BRC is the jewel in the security of Iraq. With the capabilities for battalion-level training, it plays a pivotal role in the professional development of Iraq’s infantry at tactical levels.

As Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition forces continue clearing insurgents from areas, security forces remain in those areas to maintain peace and stability. The training at the range continues to develop its junior officers and enlisted soldiers to fill the vacuum for a professionally trained force to meet those needs. The 32 officers came from five different Iraqi Army divisions and are scheduled to return and provide the same training to the soldiers in their command.

Iraqi Army 2nd Lt. Mohammed, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 8th Iraqi Army Division, who spoke through an interpreter, described how the training has impacted their mission, specifically in democratic principles. “We have many new things (equipment and weapons) in the Iraqi Army that we can use,” Mohammed said. “We have also
learned about human rights – how to go after the bad guys while treating civilians with respect. Our main goal is to have a country with freedom for human beings.”

Mohammed shared his sentiments about the future of Iraq in its fight against insurgents and the way ahead for his country. “I don’t think the insurgents are going to win anything because they are the bad side and we are right – the insurgents will lose,” he said. “And those we don’t kill – they will go back where they came from. “We need help from other countries to help us maintain our freedom
because the neighboring countries are sending terrorists to Iraq.” “For 35 years we did not know what democracy was and we were treated harshly by a dictator. Now we can say what we think without fear for our lives,” Mohammed said.