Quote:
Originally posted by bilmore
Ah. If I've seen them updated constantly, and read them as they came out, I must have memorized them.
I see.
I cannot live up to your exemplary standards. I barely keep my kids' names straight.
(And, no, that doesn't mean I've named them Bruce and Elton.)
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Well, I've googled (the news search gave me "Your search -
"level 1 readiness" iraqi army - did not match any documents") and I can't find any definitive answer. The web search brought up the stories from late September, which talked about the number dropping from 3 to 1 (like this one from the Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...092902085.html
- The number of Iraqi army battalions that can fight insurgents without U.S. and coalition help has dropped from three to one, top U.S. generals told Congress yesterday, adding that the security situation in Iraq is too uncertain to predict large-scale American troop withdrawals anytime soon.
One might think that the website of the Multi-National Security Transition Command
http://www.mnstci.iraq.centcom.mil/facts_troops.htm might have such information, but they don't.
Here's what they do have (and I checked their news releases in the press center, which have stories like "Iraqi troops discover two roadside bombs" but nothing on how many units are at level 1 readiness):
- Iraqi Army
Iraqi Army soldiers negotiate a standard eight-weeks of basic training including basic soldiering skills instruction in weapons marksmanship, individual tactics, physical training, drill and ceremony, and soldier discipline.
Units negotiate advanced courses in Infantry tactics, heavy weapons, land navigation, and other operational training both before and after joining units in the field. In addition, training courses focus on Iraqi noncommissioned officers, while officers receive relevant combined arms education in the new Staff College, formed with NATO advice and support.
The Iraqi Army will ultimately be comprised of 113 combat battalions: 91 Infantry battalions, 12 special Iraqi Intervention Force battalions, five mechanized Infantry battalions, four tank battalions, and one special-duty security battalion. Nine Motor Transportation Regiments, three mechanized combat service support battalions, and 10 base support units will sustain the Iraqi Army forces.
The bulk of the force has been in the fight since prior to the 30 January 2005 elections, with the remainder of the units coming on-line through 2005 and into 2006.
To be fair, level 1 readiness is a high standard, as noted by General Casey when he spoke to Congress.
