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New strategy details security handover in Iraq
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| 25 April 2005 |
By Greg M Grant JDW Special Correspondent
Baghdad
A long-awaited strategic guidance document was issued to US military commanders in Iraq earlier this month, outlining specific milestones in the handover of the security mission to Iraqi security forces.
The strategic guidance shifts the main effort of coalition forces in Iraq from combat operations to partnering with Iraqi security forces.
The strategy states that the Iraqi Army, along with security forces from the Iraqi Ministry of Interior, are to assume the internal defence mission in Iraq by December this year.
Issued by the Commanding General Multi-National Force - Iraq US Army General George Casey, the strategic guidance contains a three-phase timetable for training and preparing the Iraqi Army to assume the main effort in counter-insurgency operations.
Accomplishing the task of training the Iraqi Army and certifying their combat capability will fall primarily on US Advisory Support Teams and Military Transition Teams. At least one Military Transition Team is to be collocated with every Iraqi Army battalion by the end of April 2005.
The Military Transition Team is a 61-strong US Army unit, led by either a Major or senior Captain, who will serve as the Iraqi Army battalion commander's adviser. US advisers from the Military Transition Teams will also operate at the company and platoon levels with a high percentage of senior NCOs.
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