Iraqis to Take Control of Their Army, Air Force, Navy

[Radar Chief]

Iraqis to Take Control of Their Army, Air Force, Navy

By Gerry J. GilmoreAmerican Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Aug. 28, 2006 – The Iraqi government is slated to assume control of its soldiers, sailors and airmen sometime next month, a senior U.S. military officer told reporters in Baghdad today. The Iraqi Ministry of Defense, through its joint headquarters in Baghdad, will assume operational control of the Iraqi army, as well as the country’s air force and navy, in early September, Army Maj. Gen. William B. Caldwell, spokesman for Multinational Force Iraq, said at a news briefing. “This is a significant step in the Iraqi path to self-reliance and security,” Caldwell said. “What this means is that the Iraqi Ministry of Defense is prepared to begin assuming direct operational control over Iraq’s armed forces.” Iraq’s 3-year-old armed forces have “been rebuilt from the ground up as a modern and effective fighting force,” Caldwell said. Iraqi army divisions have fought alongside coalition forces under the commander of the Multinational Corps Iraq, he added. Coalition forces also have worked to train the new Iraqi army, which now stands at about 115,000 soldiers. The transition of control of Iraq’s armed forces to the Iraqi government should take several months, Caldwell said. The 10 Iraqi army divisions eventually will come under the direct operational control of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, commander in chief of Iraq’s armed forces, Caldwell said. “The majority of Iraqi (army) divisions will remain under coalition forces initially,” Caldwell explained, “and then be gradually transitioned into the Iraqi ground forces command.”


http://www.defenselink.mil/news/NewsArticle.aspx?ID=602

[Cochise]

Cool. Glad to hear the training is over. Hopefully their regulars can help with some of the security functions and things will gradually improve.

[Radar Chief]

Cool. Glad to hear the training is over. Hopefully their regulars can help with some of the security functions and things will gradually improve.

I don’t necessarily think this means it’s “over”, but certainly a big step in that direction.
One thing it means to me is they’re gain’n trust.
We have been fly’n close air support, even for Iraqi security. That we’re now will’n to hand that over to them means a lot.

[BucEyedPea]

If true....good news!
But it is from Rummy's dept...wonder if that's part of his new PR campaign to monitor the media on Iraq news? Just wonderin' :hmmm:

[jettio]

I think you need to have things that can fly and float to have an airforce and a navy.

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/iraq/air-force-equipment-intro.htm

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/iraq/ships-intro.htm

[BucEyedPea]

I think my state can donate a fleet of these:
http://s7ondemand1.scene7.com/is/image/Hammacher/72357?wid=180

Hey! You said "things" that float, right?

[jettio]

I think my state can donate a fleet of these:
http://s7ondemand1.scene7.com/is/image/Hammacher/72357?wid=180

Hey! You said "things" that float, right?

:) Got to keep those shipping lanes open and keep the gas prices low.

Hungary donated 70+ Soviet-era tanks to the Iraqi Army.

You are not Hungarian are you?

[BucEyedPea]

Unfortunately no...just American...of Italian descent.
Sicilian specifically...maybe da' family can maka soma arrangements though through it's international connections. :p

[jiveturkey]

Good news indeed.

Now let's push them into Iran and let them blow some shit up over there.

[jettio]

Unfortunately no...just American...of Italian descent.
Sicilian specifically...maybe da' family can maka soma arrangements though through it's international connections. :p

If you are Sicilian, you should know better, let them have their stupid war. My dad's mother was from Calabria, and his father from the Marches.

I better not tell you that patteeu used to be the Planet's lead self-identified libertarian, I am not saying that anyone would suspect you if he had an unfortunate accident, but if they find him with his hands detached and tied to a computer keyboard, well....

[BucEyedPea]

If you are Sicilian, you should know better, let them have their stupid war.

Oh! I am willing to let them do that even if I am willing to donate some pirate ships.

My dad's mother was from Calabria, and his father from the Marches.
I had to look up the Marches....never heard of that part before.

I better not tell you that patteeu used to be the Planet's lead self-identified libertarian,...

I kinda gathered that from posts by others.

I am not saying that anyone would suspect you if he had an unfortunate accident, but if they find him with his hands detached and tied to a computer keyboard, well....
ROFL

Truth be told, had one uncle involved in it, but he was banned froma da' family and we all were not allowed to maka any contact with him. Yet, I did once and got in a ton of trouble. Never did it again though...too scarey. Patty could tempt me though.

[StcChief]

It's moving along slow but sure.

Much to the dismay of the cut 'n run crowd.

[patteeu]

It's moving along slow but sure.

Much to the dismay of the cut 'n run crowd.

Now you've done it. Some of them are pretty sensitive about being called that.

[BucEyedPea]

As sensitive as being called a NeoCon?

[patteeu]

As sensitive as being called a NeoCon?

More.

[BucEyedPea]

:huh: Gee, I don't recall anyone here who wants immediate pull-out to be sensitive about that...they seem to pretty open about just leaving.

[banyon]

:huh: Gee, I don't recall anyone here who wants immediate pull-out to be sensitive about that...they seem to pretty open about just leaving.

I agree. they can call us the "chickens*** cowardly peeing down their leg quittin' sons of bi***es" if they want. It's just a rhetorical name calling attempt to deflect from what would actually make sense in our foreign policy.

[patteeu]

I agree. they can call us the "chickens*** cowardly peeing down their leg quittin' sons of bi***es" if they want. It's just a rhetorical name calling attempt to deflect from what would actually make sense in our foreign policy.

Are you in the "immediate pull-out" camp, banyon?

[banyon]

Are you in the "immediate pull-out" camp, banyon?

It's my understanding that it's all black or white. So either I want to remain in Iraq until we are all broke or dead, or I am cut-and-run and "with the terrurists".

[patteeu]

It's my understanding that it's all black or white. So either I want to remain in Iraq until we are all broke or dead, or I am cut-and-run and "with the terrurists".

So which is it in your case?

Seriously, rather than trying to reduce the argument of others to the point of absurdity, what's your nuanced position?

[BucEyedPea]

You've actually missed my position on this?
I've stated it over and over...right up to and including donating Buccaneer ships! :p

Best to check the archive of my posts.

[patteeu]

You've actually missed my position on this?
I've stated it over and over.
Best to check the archive of my posts.

Uh, no. Why do you ask?

[BucEyedPea]

WoW! We really aren't communicating of late are we?

I think you'll enjoy researching my archive.

I don't have time....I just got back in....and I have popsicles to make for the long weekend. :)


Oops! Apologies for the mess up in communication...I could only see a part of your post, due to what I was doing...so I took it to be directed to me...not banyon.

[patteeu]

WoW! We really aren't communicating of late are we?

I think you'll enjoy researching my archive.

I don't have time....I just got back in....and I have popsicles to make for the long weekend. :)

Just for the record, I was asking banyon for his position. I already knew yours. Enjoy the popsicles. :)

[BucEyedPea]

Oh okay! But this brings the teacher out n' me...can you tell me what my position is?

Just trying to see if you "copy." :)

[banyon]

So which is it in your case?

Seriously, rather than trying to reduce the argument of others to the point of absurdity, what's your nuanced position?

I'm for reinvesting the money we've got tied up over there into alternative energy/ energy conservation so we dont have to care what happens over there quite as much.

As for Iraq, BEP's position is as good as any. Divide it into 3 autonomous regions, leave a minimal advisory international contingent there and let them sort out their own problems.

Meanwhile, we should take active steps to minimize our vulnerability to terrorism. In the end, that's really all you can do against it anyway. You can't ever "win" such a "war". Even Bush has said that.

*edit* and return to Afghanistan to eradicate the Taliban, find OBL and bring the troops back home.

[Adept Havelock]

Oh okay! But this brings the teacher out n' me...can you tell me what my position is?

Just trying to see if you "copy." :)

Oh, that's easy. You are clearly a "surrenderist" lacking "moral clarity" who has been co-opted by the islamofascist anti-neocon underground running the pro-muslim theocracy supporting liberal press.

Or something like that.... :p

Besides, I thought teachers were against copying.... :harumph:

[patteeu]

Oh okay! But this brings the teacher out n' me...can you tell me what my position is?

Just trying to see if you "copy." :)

Check the archives. :p

[redbrian]

I'm for reinvesting the money we've got tied up over there into alternative energy/ energy conservation so we dont have to care what happens over there quite as much.

As for Iraq, BEP's position is as good as any. Divide it into 3 autonomous regions, leave a minimal advisory international contingent there and let them sort out their own problems.

Meanwhile, we should take active steps to minimize our vulnerability to terrorism. In the end, that's really all you can do against it anyway. You can't ever "win" such a "war". Even Bush has said that.

*edit* and return to Afghanistan to eradicate the Taliban, find OBL and bring the troops back home.

Here you go man, all you need to do is send this guy $19.95 then share the info with everyone.

http://www.energy-independence.tv/

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[BucEyedPea]

Check the archives. :p
FLUNK! :p