Bill Roggio: Iraq’s Other Military Surge
Good read in Bill Roggio’s Long War Journal about the “Surge” of Iraqi Security Forces.
Below is the intro, click on the link at the bottom to go to Bill’s site and read the whole story.
The Real Surge in Iraq – the rapid expansion of the Iraqi Security Forces – continues. The Iraqi Security Forces is expanding with the Iraqi Army now growing to 61 planned brigades in 15 divisions while the Iraqi Special Operations Forces becomes the defacto 16th division. The latest “Measuring Security and Stability in Iraq” quarterly report was publicly released on December 18, 2007. What follows is some of the key developments of Iraqi Security Force.
According to the report, all remaining Iraqi provinces are set to transition to provincial Iraqi control in 2008. Of the 18 provinces, nine have already transitioned. The report also mentions that 61 of the 125 Coalition forward operating bases have been closed or transferred to Iraqi forces. Over 491,000 personnel are on Iraqi Security Force rolls, not including the civilian staff, Concerned Local Citizens, and Facilities Protection Service. The authorized Iraqi Security Force end strength continues to increase. There was an 80,000 ISF increase since last report due to uncounted non-Coalition funded training not previously reported.
The Iraqi use of US Foreign Military Sales system, which supplies the Iraqis with military equipment, has overwhelmed the organization. Several hundred Humvees and other equipment are in Iraq pending issue while there is a backlog of 75 pallets and 250 vehicles in the US pending shipment. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates has ordered a special task force to be formed to clear the logjam in Iraqi equipment orders. In the latest request from the Iraqi government, includes equipment for the three former Strategic Infrastructure Brigades, a Presidential Brigade, an infantry division headquarters, and five brigades.
Bill Roggio’s Long War Journal.
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I’m surprised the old Eastern Bloc countries and some of the old USSR states haven’t dug into their surplus inventory of old Soviet equipment and made a few bucks off of a sale to the IA.
There are MI-8’s around and old Migs laying around that could be purchased also. I think even Germany has a few Mig023’s they could part with.
I’d like to see 4 or 5 IA mechanized brigades equiped with T-55. T-62’s and T-72’s as well as BMP’s and BTR’s. I know damn well the old Soviet Block and old USSR countries have enoygh of that shit laying around that they could part with.
It would be a good use of Iraqi oil profits. Unfortunately, the Iraqis also have to spend tons of bucks on infastructure and payrolls. But hey, things are looking up.
I see alot more C-1 and C-2 units than I did last year. Progress is on a fast track. Looks like more of our people will be comming home soon. And I don’t know, but it smells like…victory to me.
December 21st, 2007 at 4:45 pmBuild Iraq up, then soften up Iran, so that Ahmadickwad can’t fill their void and create Ahmadickwadistan!!!
December 21st, 2007 at 5:31 pmDan - You’ve got to be kidding. All of that old soviet equipment is just crap. The last two engagements have pretty much proven Russian equipment ineffective. I suppose this is why Putin is all about being a badass these days.
December 21st, 2007 at 7:46 pmSome back-up info Harry Reid and Co. won’t soon be echoing:
Progress In Iraq
http://powerlineblog.com/
December 21st, 2007 at 9:41 pm@Cridhe Saorsa:
I’m not talking about equipping the IA to fight a battle with the US. I’m just talking about getting them equipment to defend themselves against the dead-enders.
The Iraqis are familiar with that equipment. They could get alot of it cheaply and quickly.
So what are we going to do? Give them M-1’s and Bradley’s instead? I doubt it.
The IA needs to defend themselves…get more armor-protection and do it quickly. And get equipment that doesn’t require real high maintenance has a steep learning curve to it.
Got a better idea?
December 22nd, 2007 at 7:28 am