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:
• Italian Col. Stefano Panoni assumes command of the Kurdistan Training Coordination Centre
• Australian Major makes a difference with Task Group Taji
• Multinational Civil Affairs team enhances stabilization efforts across the region
Italian Col. Stefano Panoni assumes command of the Kurdistan Training Coordination Centre
The Italian-led Kurdistan Training Coordination Center (KTCC) held a transfer of authority ceremony at Camp Singara in Erbil, Iraq, Jan. 22, 2020.
Italian Col. Giuseppe Levato relinquished command of the KTCC to Col. Stefano Panoni. The ceremony took place in the presence of the Consul of Italy, Dr. Serena Muroni, and the Commander of the Italian Contingent and Director of Training for the Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve, Brig. Gen. Paolo Attilio Fortezza and the highest political and military authorities of the Autonomous Region of Kurdistan and other military guests of the Coalition.
In 5 years, more than 45,000 members of the local Security Forces members have been trained at the KTCC since the Coalition began. Under Levato’s leadership, four training cycles were completed, for a total of approximately 5,500 trained Peshmerga. Of particular relevance, training female personnel became a goal. As a result, 40 female soldiers have been recently trained.
Australian Major makes a difference with Task Group Taji Maj. Anthony Bartlett is Task Group Taji 10’s Quartermaster, and he is on his fourth deployment to Iraq.
With his extensive experience, Bartlett is a perfect fit for the mission and admires the historical land of Iraq. “We have developed a great relationship here and the Iraqis are our partners,” Bartlett said.
Task Group Taji 10 forms part of Operation Okra, which is the Australian commitment to the US-led Operation Inherent Resolve, the military intervention against Daesh.
Multinational Civil Affairs team enhances stabilization efforts across the region
The Civil Affairs section of Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve is commanded by Brig. Gen. Stéphane Dupont, French Air Force. The Civil Affairs section is made up of around 30 people of various nationalities, whose objective is to plan, and then carry out, actions for the benefit of the civilian environment.
The Civil Affairs section is active in many areas such as the protection of the population and provides advice to governmental and non-governmental organizations within the framework of stabilization projects. Their goal is to help improve essential services and infrastructure, and to contribute to the development of the local economy. It is also in direct contact with international relief organizations to monitor refugees and displaced persons, in order to facilitate their return to their region of origin.
