Independent study says Iraqi security forces at least a year away from operating independently

[unhappycamper]

Independent study says Iraqi security forces at least a year away from operating independently
Associated Press - September 5, 2007 2:03 PM ET

WASHINGTON (AP) - An independent assessment says Iraq's security forces have made "uneven progress" and won't be able to take over security on their own in the next 12 to 18 months.

~snip~

The 37-page report found that Iraqi military forces, particularly the Army, are developing "the baseline infrastructures that lead to the successful formation of a national defense capability."

But the report says Baghdad's police force and Ministry of Interior are plagued by "dysfunction."

Virginia Senator John Warner called for the report on the capability of Iraq's military and police forces because their success is considered by the Bush administration as necessary before U.S. troops leave.


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Then there's this gem.


Iraqi Army Unable To Take Over Within A Year, Report Says
By Karen DeYoung
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, September 6, 2007; Page A01


Iraq's army, despite measurable progress, will be unable to take over internal security from U.S. forces in the next 12 to 18 months and "cannot yet meaningfully contribute to denying terrorists safe haven," according to a report on the Iraqi security forces published today.

The report, prepared by a commission of retired senior U.S. military officers, describes the 25,000-member Iraqi national police force and the Interior Ministry, which controls it, as riddled with sectarianism and corruption. The ministry, it says, is "dysfunctional" and is "a ministry in name only." The commission recommended that the national police force be disbanded.

Although citing recent "tactical success" and favorable "strategic implications" resulting from the Bush administration's current war strategy, the commission recommends that U.S. troops in Iraq be "retasked" in early 2008 to protect critical infrastructure and guard against border threats from Iran and Syria, while gradually turning internal security over to Iraqi forces despite their deficiencies.

The assessment by the Independent Commission on the Security Forces of Iraq is one of several independent progress reports ordered by Congress for delivery before the administration presents its own scorecard next week. Members of the 20-member group, headed by retired Marine Gen. James Jones, traveled throughout Iraq over the summer and met with hundreds of U.S. and Iraqi officials as well as leading nongovernmental experts on the Iraqi forces. Jones will present the 152-page document, a copy of which was obtained by The Washington Post, in testimony today before the Senate and House Armed Services committees.

As he ended a year in charge of training the Iraqi security forces in 2005, then-Lt. Gen. David H. Petraeus said that Iraq's military had made "enormous progress" and that its readiness to take over from U.S. forces was growing "with each passing week." President Bush said of the Iraqi forces, "As they stand up, we'll stand down."

The report expresses concern about what it calls the massive U.S. military logistical "footprint" in Iraq and its effect on perceptions and problems. "The unintended message conveyed is one of 'permanence,' an occupying force, as it were," the report says. It recommends reconsideration of "efficiency, necessity . . . and cost" and calls for "significant reductions, consolidations and realignments" of U.S. forces.


Rest of article at: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/05/AR2007090501282.html?nav=rss_world


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And the Five Sided Puzzle Palace checks in.


Congressional Report on Iraqi Security Forces
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, June 27, 2007 – Strides have been made in building Iraq’s security forces and increasing their responsibility, but more progress is needed, according to a new congressional report released today.

The report, “Stand Up and Be Counted: The Continuing Challenge of Building the Iraqi Security Forces,” follows an investigation by the House Armed Services Committee’s Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee.

It reports that the $19 billion the United States has invested over the past four years to organize, train and equip Iraq’s military and police forces “has yielded mixed results.”

~snip~

Nine out of 10 Iraqi army division headquarters are in place, 31 of 36 Iraqi army brigade headquarters have been formed and 95 out of 112 battalions have security responsibilities in their respective areas.

“If you compare that today … to October 2005, when there was only one division, four brigades and 23 battalions, I think it is reflective of progress,” he said.

Army Lt. Gen. James M. Dubik is working to build on that progress as the new commander of Multinational Security Transition Command Iraq.


Rest of article at: http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=46568


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A quick check on Dubik turns up a few interesting articles -> http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%22James+M.+Dubik%22&btnG=Google+Search


Sunday, May 28, 2006 - Page updated at 12:00 AM - Seattle Times: America at war on Memorial Day

Friday, January 19, 2007 - iraqnam.blogspot.com: James Dubik nominated to head Iraqi forces training

It appears Dubik's wife "is a senior intelligence officer who retired from the CIA." http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=46568

Hmmmmmm. Dubik also was the Post Commander in the Lt. Watada trial. http://www.madison.com/communities/madveteransforpeace/pages/Appeal4Redress.php?php_page_set=0

Saturday, April 28th, 2007 - The News Tribune: FOB Tacoma aka Dubik's exit interview

He compared it (the occupation) to the changes and clashes brought over the duration of the Industrial revolution -- new religions, new world orders.

Reading, still reading, still reading. . . . I'm asking myself "I wonder what it is about this guy that makes me curious?" And then. . . "


Published: Aug. 31, 2007 at 4:57 PM - UPI: Training Iraq's NCOs will take 10 years



BAGHDAD, Aug. 31 (UPI) -- A U.S. Army Lt. General says it could take up to a decade to build the backbone of the Iraqi security forces.

Army Lt. Gen. James M. Dubik, commander of Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq, said in an Internet conference call Friday that it will take 10 years to establish Iraq’s non-commissioned officer corps. The NCO is often referred to as the backbone of an Army.

“Growing an NCO corps is not a month-long deal; it’s a decade-long deal,” said Dubik, in a statement.

Iraq's security forces are currently comprised of two divisions, seven brigades and 16 battalions, which have been established over the past 18 months.

“When you grow that fast, regardless of what army you’re in … you’re not going to be able to produce leaders at the same rate that you produce soldiers. It’s just physically not possible.”

With decades of experience Dubik referenced what the U.S. military was forced to do in 1975 after the Vietnam War depleted the NCO.



The moral of this story it the DoD is planning for a long stay.

[warpigs]

1. They said that one year ago and a year before that.

[papau]

2. Sept 07 report says fewer operate independently now that did in Feb 07- there is nothing to wait for

n/t

[stillcool]

3. $19 Billion...

doesn't buy much these days...

]Posted 3/28/2005 8:33 PM
Iraqi troop training: signs of progress
By Peter Grier, The Christian Science Monitor
WASHINGTON — Critics say Pentagon keeps revising number of trained forces, proving the U.S. has no exit strategy, but military sees gains.
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Pentagon officials have long said that any prospects for withdrawal of large numbers of U.S. troops depend on the presence of indigenous units capable of taking their place. Today there are 145,000 Iraqi security personnel, organized into 52 army, and 44 police battalions, Secretary of the Army Francis Harvey told a Pentagon briefing last Wednesday.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2005-03-28-Iraqi-troops-progress_x.htm

two and a half years later...on June 27, 20007 gets you this?

Nine out of 10 Iraqi army division headquarters are in place, 31 of 36 Iraqi army brigade headquarters have been formed and 95 out of 112 battalions have security responsibilities in their respective areas.

“If you compare that today … to October 2005, when there was only one division, four brigades and 23 battalions, I think it is reflective of progress,” he said.

...and then two months later on August 31, 2007 gets you this?

Iraq's security forces are currently comprised of two divisions, seven brigades and 16 battalions, which have been established over the past 18 months.