Stryker Brigade News

“Today, we are learning how to search and clear houses where an insurgent might be hiding,” said Sgt Ahmad from 1 West police station.

According to Sgt. 1st Class Jason Hall, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Bn., 17th Inf. Rgt., 172nd SBCT, the shoot house is probably the most important training the IP will complete. Hall, a native of Orlando, Fla., closely observed the training.

“This type of training is what they will mainly be doing in the streets of Mosul,” said Staff Sgt. John Sloan, 1st Bn., 17th Inf. Rgt., 172nd SBCT. “They need to know how to do raids and that is what we are teaching them.” Sloan is a native of Montgomery, Ala.

According to 2nd Lt. Ali, IP training officer, we need to make our officers the best they can be so we can capture or kill AIF.

“We are very proud of ourselves,” said Cpl. Kalif, an Iraqi police officer going through the training. “We have learned a lot of techniques on building searches from Soldiers.”

Kalif said he does not feel the IP are ready to stand alone without Coalition support because the borders are not secure and AIF are entering Iraq through them.

“Our goal is to get the IP as proficient as they can and get them to a level to stand on their own without Coalition support,” Hall said. “They are eager to learn and with continued training they will be able to handle situations without our help.”

Ali said he appreciates all the help and support from Coalition forces and all the training they provide.

“We never received training like this, we have no experience on building clearing, these Soldiers are making us the best we can be,” Ali said.

Ahmad said the IP have a great relationship with U.S. Soldiers and agrees with Kalif about not being able to stand alone just yet.

“U.S. Soldiers are there to support us every time we [ask for their help], in emergencies and non-emergencies,” said Ahmad. “We still need Coalition support for some situations.”

(via DVIDS)