Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20080502-02
April 30, 2008

‘Punisher’ partners with Iraqi Highway Patrol (as-Samawah)

By 1st Lt. Nicholas Klein

Company C, 1st BSTB, 1st BCT, 82nd Airborne Division

Multi-National Corps – Iraq PAO

AS SAMAWAH, Iraq – After weeks of coordination with the Iraqi Highway Police leadership in as-Samawah, Iraq, the Combat Outpost 6, Punisher Route Security Team partnered with the Muthanna IHP, training them from April 22-26.

During the seminar, the IHP were trained on basic leadership skills, pre-mission planning, operational targeting, reacting to small-arms fire and improvised explosive device attacks, personnel and vehicular search techniques, traffic control point operations, first aid, establishing a cordon and basic rifle marksmanship.

A total of 56 IHP participated in the training throughout the week.

The training was considered a great success by the IHP and COP 6 soldiers “The practical exercises we did everyday really showed us that they got something out of the classes,” said Spc. Joseph Capen.

The challenges of the language barrier and cultural differences were overcome through creative planning and motivational techniques used by the RST instructors.

According to the instructors, the IHP were attentive, quick to learn and seemed grateful for the training.

The relationship between the IHP and the Punisher RST soldiers has become one of mutual respect and friendship.

The sharing of daily meals, the professionalism of the training, and the camaraderie of the IHP and soldiers has established a bond of friendship that will hopefully keep Muthanna province safe and secure.

This training is one more phase in the partnership to secure freedom of movement along a major supply route in Muthanna. The establishment of three IHP checkpoints with standardized signs, checkpoint materials, and associated infrastructure, built upon a relationship between the U.S. and Iraq forces, will ultimately enable a full-time partnership of the Joint Security Site at COP 6.

At the same time the training of the IHP was being completed, 1st BCT, 82nd Airborne Commander, Frederic Drummond, met with Lt. Col. Saleem Ya Ali Falih, provincial joint operations center officer in charge, to finalize plans for PJOC integration at the JSS and discuss operational and intelligence sharing between all ISF and Coalition forces in the province.

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