When is the Iraqi army ready to take over?

Jim Maceda Correspondent

QAYYARAH, Iraq — On a recent day, some of the 2,000 soldiers of the 1st Iraqi Army Brigade patrolled a violent neighborhood in West Baghdad, while more than 200 miles to the north, soldiers of the 1,500-strong 3^rd Iraqi Army Brigade were on a raid near Mosul.

They represent two different Iraqi units and both are backed by the U.S military. The 1^st Iraqi Army Brigade works with the U.S. Army's 3^rd Infantry Division in Baghdad and 3^rd Iraqi Army Brigade trains and works with U.S. Army's 25th Infantry Division near Mosul.

The two units have contrasting combat experience, but they are on the same mission. “The people need to see that the Iraqis are taking charge of their country,” explained Maj. Daniel Yeates of the 3rd ID in Baghdad.

President Bush, who has scheduled a prime-time speech Tuesday to outline his plans for Iraq, is hoping Iraqi forces such as these can take over security and eventually allow American troops to pull out of the country.

'Train and operate'
The experience of the two brigades since the Iraqi government took over sovereignty a year ago is a lesson in the challenges facing the U.S. president.

For weeks, the 1st Iraqi Army Brigade has taken a lead in what has been dubbed “Operation Lightning” — sweeping through Baghdad, moving from house-to-house to search for bombs and insurgents.

Watching the Iraqis' backs, and taking notes throughout the operation, have been U.S. troops from the 3rd ID.

The job of the 3^rd ID has been to help protect the Iraqis and provide an outer cordon of security, but they say that they can move in quickly — and will do so — if called on by the Iraqi forces.

It's called “train and operate.” The idea is to help Iraqi soldiers to learn by doing. And, according to their U.S. Army trainers, it’s working.

“I believe that they will take the task, and complete the task,” said Spc. Bryan Boudreaux, a U.S. Army trainer. 

The 1st Iraqi Army Brigade — which is made up of mostly Shiites — has held its own in close-quarters combat, particularly in Fallujah, last November.

Recently, the soldiers retook Baghdad's Haifa Street from snipers and kidnappers and rescued Australian hostage Doug Wood, with no help from U.S. troops.

“They've shown their bravery, they've shown their technical expertise to be able to fight this insurgency,” said Gen. John Basilica of the 3^rd ID.

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