The first Iraqi air
force C-130 mission with an all-Iraqi aircrew Dec. 5 is an
indicator of Iraqi security forces' progress, according to a US
military official. In addition to this, elements of the Iraqi
army's 1st Battalion, 1st Brigade, 9th Division, completed gunnery
qualifications in preparation for operations in western Iraq, the
official said, speaking on background.
More than 214,000 members of the Iraqi security forces are
engaged in operations to secure the country for Dec. 15 elections,
the official said. The Ministry of Defense has about 100 battalions
of troops, one-third of which are leading operations with U.S. and
coalition forces in support, he said.
Ministry of Interior forces also are progressing, with more than
112,000 members in operational units, the official said. Units
include special police battalions, border patrol, highway patrol,
dignitary protection and civil intervention forces, he said.
About 73,000 local and provincial police are in Iraq, which is
about half of what will eventually be required throughout the
country, the official said. Each Iraqi unit has a coalition
transition team with it, and coalition advisory teams are helping
the ministries of Defense and Interior, he said.
The U.S. has about
156,000 troops on the ground in Iraq, the official said. That
number will stay fairly consistent through the December elections,
toward which they have been working, he said.
"As we help the Iraqis plan and prepare for the upcoming
elections, there are some very positive indicators of wide-spread
voter participation," he said.
"Still, security preparations are ongoing, and there are
multiple operations ongoing in an effort to disrupt terrorists and
other enemy forces from what we believe will be an effort to
interfere with the electoral process."
Terrorists have threatened and attacked Iraqi security forces,
but despite a campaign of intimidation, Iraqi forces continue to
grow and progress, the official said. Operations with U.S. and
coalition forces have resulted in the capture of many terrorists
and the discovery of weapons caches, he said, but just as
importantly, they have given the Iraqi people confidence in their
forces.
"This type of progress is occurring across the country, as every
day Iraqi security forces march toward the day when they will be
able to secure their people and their nation," he said. [ANN Thanks
Sgt. Sara Wood, USA, American Forces Press Service]