US official reveals conducting live ammunition exercises for IA
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) The Spokesperson of the US embassy in Baghdad revealed that “The Iraqi Army conducted live ammunition exercises as part of the ongoing efforts to improve the strategic military skills.
A statement by the embassy cited that “The US embassy in Baghdad and as part of its obligations included in the Strategic Framework Agreement, provided through the Office of the Security Cooperation with Iraq (OSC-I), the necessary support for these military exercises led by Iraqis.”
These exercises which were held on current July 17th showed the capability of the Iraqi Army in planning and training on realistic battles’ scenarios where these exercises were participated by units of armored personnel carriers, American-made model (M113), and releases of (live fire) using mortars and artillery. It also reviewed the training skills of junior officers and Iraqi soldiers in the act about direct and indirect fires.
The US Major General Robert Caslon, Head of the Security Cooperation Office with Iraq, in the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad said “These exercises show the remarkable continuous development of the Iraqi army, which enjoys the capability and professionalism, and we look forward to continue the cooperation.”
The Iraqi Maj. Gen. Riyadh Jalal Tawfiq, the deputy commander of Iraqi Ground Forces Command, confirmed that “This training is an excellent opportunity to raise the level of readiness of our soldiers and their combat efficiency.”