Multi-National Security Transition Command - Iraq
Phoenix Base, Baghdad, Iraq
APO AE 09348

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Release No. 080630-01

June 30, 2008

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IRAQNA:  0790-194-0270

12/3 Brigade graduates from Unit Set Fielding

Besmaya, Iraq – A graduation ceremony filled with music, marching, speeches, and blowing dust marked another new brigade for the Iraqi Army when the 12th Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, graduated from the Unit Set Fielding program at Combat Training Center – Besmaya, June 30.

The brigade is equipped and trained to join the fight because of Unit Set Fielding, a process that builds an entire army brigade and gives soldiers the equipment and training they will need to fight. The soldiers will deploy soon to Ninewa Province.

 “Through Unit Set Fielding we are building whole brigades then sending them out to various parts of Iraq,” said Iraqi Army Col. Abbas, Commander of the Combat Training Center at Besmaya. “USF gives the noncommissioned officers and privates time to bond and learn to work together as a unit.”

For the first time, the Iraqi brigade leadership engaged in an After Action Review before the graduation. During the AAR the brigade officers had a chance to evaluate and tell senior leadership, including Lt. Gen. Hussain, Joint Headquarters Deputy Chief of Staff for Training, their thoughts on how the training went and recommendations for improvements.

During the AAR, Abbas offered recommendations which included the need for more time in each training scenario and having the soldiers get together before they come to the course.

Senior leadership from Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq also attended and offered many ideas to incorporate into the program.

“The first thing we need to focus on is to give the soldiers more predictability,” said U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Steven Salazar, MNSTC-I Coalition Army Advisory Training Team commander. “Also communicate better and coordinate issues that need to be worked out.”

 Abbas was optimistic with the results of the AAR and had high hopes for the future.

“We have worked out some great issues today, and we plan on having these meetings in the future,” said Abbas. “The AAR gave me hope that we can work out the minor things brought up today and continue with this program to bring full (Iraqi) Army brigades into combat readiness.”