TF 1-148 military training team prepares Iraqi Army to take the lead in Kirkuk

Editor's Note: The following press release was recently received from CPT Monte Hibbert, 116th BCT Public Affairs, serving in Iraq with the 116th Engineering Battalion of the Idaho National Guard. Some of the soldiers of that battalion are from the Orofino Armory.

FOB WARRIOR, Iraq- Soldiers from the 116th Brigade Combat Team are taking an active role in preparing the Iraqi Army for their ever increasing role in providing security in Iraq.

Several days a week a special training team from the 116th Brigade Combat Team's Task Force 1-148 Field Artillery travels to the headquarters of the Iraqi Army's 2nd Brigade, 4th Division, near Kirkuk to train the units staff sections and soldiers.

"The whole Army's main effort is training the Iraqi Army," said 1st Lt. James Lovejoy, TF 1-148 Military Training Team (MiTT) officer in charge. "I schedule the training for both the 2nd and 3rd Iraqi Army brigades."

Lovejoy said the Iraqi Army training includes basic training, military specialty training, leadership training and staff training for both enlisted soldiers and officers.

"I have personally sent over 1,000 soldiers to training from just 2nd Brigade alone," Lovejoy said.

While the training process has had to overcome challenges such as language and cultural barriers, Lovejoy said the Iraqi Army has reached several impressive milestones.

"We had our first brigade-level command post exercise in June and are preparing for our next one," said Lovejoy. "It was outstanding. It exceeded our expectations. With minimal coalition force assistance they can take the fight to the enemy."

While the MiTT's primary mission focuses on training Iraqi Army soldiers in their military jobs, the regular close interaction has led to the development of friendships and an exchange of culture between the soldiers of the two Armies.

One project that demonstrates the friendship and caring that the MiTT team has developed for the Iraqi Army soldiers and their families is Operation Provide School Supplies. Lovejoy explained that they have been working to provide each child of the Iraqi Army soldiers with a packet of school supplies donated by American donors.

"By taking care of their families we show them that we really care," Lovejoy said. "The company I work for has sent several large boxes of school supplies at their own expense to distribute to the kids."

Lovejoy works for the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) in his home state of Idaho.

Cultural exchange is common among the Iraqi and coalition soldiers. According to Lovejoy the more the soldiers get to know one another the more understanding prevails.

"We are adapting and understanding their culture," he said. "It seems like every time we come out here they have something special for us to help us understand their culture. I've learned a lot of Arabic."

The 116th BCT includes headquarters and staff sections, two armor battalions, a mechanized infantry battalion, a support battalion, a field artillery battalion, an engineer battalion and various intelligence, signal, and specialized units. With component units from the states of Idaho, Oregon, Montana, Utah, North Dakota, New Jersey and Maryland, the 116th BCT is one of several Army National Guard units that is deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Photos: 1st Lt. James Lovejoy (left), a Task Force 1-148 Field Artillery military training team officer, discusses a problem through a local interpreter with 2nd Iraqi Army Brigade, 4th Iraqi Army Division, operations officers at the K-1 Iraqi Army facility near Kirkuk July 27. Spc. Demet Jackson (center), a TF 1-148 intelligence soldier monitors the conversation. (Photo by Capt Monte Hibbert, 116th BCT Public Affairs)