COMBINED JOINT TASK FORCE – OPERATION INHERENT RESOLVE
One Mission, Many Nations
Highlights from Around the Coalition
SOUTHWEST ASIA – Across Iraq and Syria, the Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve works by, with, and through our partner forces to ensure an enduring defeat of Daesh (ISIS). Training, mentoring, advising, and assisting are key components for building our Security partners’ capacity to defeat Daesh remnants and create regional stability. Highlights from around the Coalition are included below:
• Iraqi Army takes the lead at Iraqi School of Infantry for Non-Commissioned Officers
• Spanish troops trained more than 7,000 Iraqi soldiers, replacements assume mission
• Iraqi troops run final exercise under the mentorship of Australian and New Zealand instructors
• French and Iraqi troops work together to destroy ammunition seized from Daesh
Iraqi SINCO II training center achieves full independent operating capability
The Iraqi School of Infantry Non-Commissioned Officer II (SINCO II) has achieved a vital operational milestone by becoming the first military training establishment to reach full independent operating capability under the Coalition’s Operation Inherent Resolve. SINCO II has been under the Australian and New Zealand train-advise-assist mission since 2015.
Commander of Joint Task Force 633 in the Middle East, Rear Admiral Mark Hill, said Iraqi instructors would now assume responsibility for all training, while a reduced Australian and New Zealand contingent would provide mentoring, institutional advice and guidance.
Iraqi Commander of SINCO II, Col. Shehab Nasser, thanked the Australian and New Zealand contingent for its partnership in helping the school reach a self-sustainable training structure.
“The teaching that SINCO II provides to Iraqi soldiers is very important in developing their military skills and battlefield effectiveness,” Nassar said. “Thanks to Australia and New Zealand, we are now equipped to take over full responsibility for providing this training to Iraqi Army brigades.”
TF Besmaya Spanish soldiers return home after six months in CJTF-OIR
Spanish soldiers with Task Force Besmaya began their return home after six months with Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve and a new contingent has arrived to replace them.
Task Force Besmaya includes both Spanish and Portuguese service members who instruct Iraqi Security Forces on a variety of skill sets: including weapons training; marksmanship training; conventional combat techniques; military operations in urban terrain; combat life saver courses; explosive hazard awareness training; improvised explosive device and explosive ordnance disposal; and the Law of Armed Conflict.
Since the beginning of Spain’s contributions to the Coalition, approximately 40,000 ISF members have been trained and more than 7,000 were instructed by this Spanish rotation.
The incoming Spanish rotation from the “Extremadura” Brigade took command of TF Besmaya during a transfer of authority ceremony. For the next six months, this new rotation will continue to instruct and advise the ISF in the defeat Daesh mission.
ISF participate in final exercise under mentorship from TG Taji
Iraqi Security Forces soldiers participated in a culminating event at the Taji Military Complex, Iraq. Exercise Talon Strike involved a battalion-level deliberate assault and the clearing and securing of three urban objectives.
This culminating activity was the final exercise conducted under the mentorship of Australian and New Zealand trainers before the School of Infantry Non-Commissioned Officer II cadre achieved full operational capability.
“SINCO II’s staff and instructors, through their dedication, skill and drive, have been key to the school becoming the first Building Partner Capacity site to achieve this significant milestone,” said Col. Michael Bassingthwaighte, Australian Commander of Task Group Taji. “Significantly, this has all been done while still preparing Iraqi brigades for continuing operations against remnants of the terrorist group Daesh.”
TG Taji has helped train over 46,000 members of the ISF and law enforcement agency personnel across nine rotations since 2015.
French TF Monsabert and Iraqi troops destroy ammunition seized from Daesh
Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) specialists with French Task Force Monsabert and their Iraqi counterparts with the 6th Division of the Iraqi Army, worked together to destroy a stock of ammunition used by ISIS to construct improvised explosive devices.
The operation was executed in the form of an Advise and Assist mission, with TF Monsabert advising the Iraqi troops on the proper techniques to create a safe and controlled detonation.
The operation continues to strengthen the link between the French and Iraqi EOD specialists. Both share a common goal to reduce Daesh’s ability to use this type of ammunition to make improvised explosive devices. Iraqi Security Forces routinely seize such assets and use their EOD teams to neutralise their destructive capabilities.
