Iraqi Army 5th Division graduates first Humvee driver training course, receives first Humvees through transfer program
By Multi-National Security Transition Command - Iraq, Public Affairs Office, Phoenix Base
March 13, 2008
CAMP
TAJI, Iraq – The
Iraqi Army’s 5th Division received the first 45 up armored Humvees
through the HMMWV transfer program following a graduation ceremony of the first
HMMWV driver training course held in Taji, Mar. 13.
The
ceremony was attended by U.S. Army Lt. Gen. James M. Dubik, Multi-National
Security Transition Command – Iraq commanding general, U.S. Army Brig. Gen.
Robin P. Swan, Coalition Army Assistance Training Team commanding general, and
Iraqi Army Gen. Abadi, Iraqi Army Vice Chief of Staff.
“These
Humvees have served as workhorses’ for the U.S. military and will now serve
the Iraqi Security Forces just as well,” said Dubik. “These Humvees will
provide protective mobility and increased lethality for the Iraqi Security
Forces.”
The
45 Humvees were the first of 8500 Humvees that are being refurbished and transferred
to the Iraqi Security Forces.
The
Iraqi Army’s 5th Division had sent drivers through the HMMWV driver
training course before driving away the new refurbished vehicles.
The drivers were selected from their unit to attend the 3 day course
which consists of basic driving skills, understanding the instruments in the
vehicle, and basic day and night operations.
“Here
we have Iraqis training Iraqis,” said Swan. “They have a proud military
heritage here and they have ways of going about business that they are very
proud of.”
The
HMMWV training course will be conducted as the newly refurbished vehicles are
made available to the different units. The
units will sign for and take ownership of their Humvees, attend the training
course and ride out to pass on what they have learned to the rest of their unit.
“We
are very proud to support our Iraqi partners with this increased capability,”
said Dubik.
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