GI-trained Iraqi police ready for action

An Iraqi National Police lieutenant questions a resident during a midnight raid on one of two homes on May 12 in Jisr Diyala. The National Police are taking a lead role in missions such as this manhunt for two high value targets. Watching from the background are U.S. soldiers assigned to the National Police Transition Team operating under the 2nd Brigade, 1st Armored Division.


GI-trained Iraqi police ready for action
By John Vandiver, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Thursday, May 22, 2008

JISR DIYALA, Iraq — The Iraqi National Police commander and the team of U.S. Army advisers huddle for a pre-raid brainstorm. Two high-value targets have been traced to a Jisr Diyala neighborhood with a long history of Shiite extremist trouble.

"That whole area, that’s the heart, right there," Lt. Col. Geoff Ellerson, commander of the National Police Transition Team, says during the strategy session. "For a while there, they all left Jisr Diyala and went someplace else. Now we’re starting to get more of them coming back."

Brig. Gen. Emad Ali Abud Faris, commander of the National Police’s 3rd Brigade, concurs.

While Emad and the Army advisers talk indoors, the National Police grunts wait outside for the green light. They’ll be the ones doing most of the work on this night.

"It’s after midnight. Are you ready to go?" Ellerson asks Emad.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=54986

about a year ago.
I hope they get ready very soon.

mark