Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20080721-11
July 21, 2008

INPs graduate MND-B route clearance course Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO

BAGHDAD – Iraqi policemen graduated a 10-day route clearance course July 19 at a combat outpost in the Rashid district of southern Baghdad.
 
 Iraqi National Police from the 1st Mechanized Brigade received hands-on instruction and training on route clearance equipment and operations, taking another step toward Iraqi Security Forces assuming responsibility of security operations in the area.
 
 The course was part of the Iron Claw Academy, initially created by Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers to train combat engineers on the necessary techniques and procedures needed to clear roads and highways of improvised explosive devices, said Capt. Scott Swilley, a company commander with the1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.
 
 “It is an important day for the National Police,” said Col. Marc Van Oene, a National Police Transition Training Team chief with the 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div..“The 1st Mechanized Brigade is the first unit to get this kind of equipment and the training on it, and they are keeping the routes secure for the Iraqi people and Coalition forces.” The MND-B Soldiers identified the need for ISF route clearing training after conducting patrols and route clearing operations with the Iraqi National Police from the 1st Mech. Bde., said Swilley.
 
 “As we partnered with the 1st Mechanized Brigade, we identified a platoon of engineers within their organization and started training them on basic patrolling efforts,” said Swilley. “We then began working into a dedicated 10-day program of instruction to certify the platoon in route clearance operations.”
 
 “The 1st Mechanized Brigade has been spectacular,” Swilley said. “They have shown great promise, and I am very optimistic about integrating them into joint patrols and eventually independent route clearing operations.”
 
 Swilley said he plans to continue the academy and hopes the ISF Iron Claw training will become available to other NP units working with the 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div., throughout the Rashid district.
 “I think most Soldiers on patrol feel that when they have seen route clearance go by they feel a little bit better about their mission,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Larry Seaman, 1st Special Troops Battalion, 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div., MND-B.
 
 With the right equipment and the right training, the ISF will be ready to assume responsibility for Rashid, Seaman said.

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