SOUTHWEST ASIA –
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 operational capability under the coalition Operation Inherent Resolve.
SINCO II has been under the Australian and New Zealand train-advise-assist mission since 2015.
Rear Adm. Mark Hill, Australian Commander of Joint Task Force 633, said Iraqi instructors will now assume responsibility for all training while a reduced Australian and New Zealand contingent will provide mentoring, institutional advice and guidance.
“By playing their part in achieving this significant milestone, the Australian and New Zealand defense forces have again proved the effectiveness of our Build Partner Capacity Mission in Iraq,” Hill said. “I congratulate our friends and colleagues in the Iraqi Security Forces on this achievement, which will help prevent the re-establishment of Daesh in their country.”
Iraqi instructors from SINCO II have transitioned from learning instruction techniques to delivering lessons independently.
Col. Michael Bassingthwaighte, Australian Commander of Task Group Taji, said the Iraqis have proven they are capable of delivering training to a high standard.
“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 Bassingthwaighte. “Significantly, this has all been done while still preparing Iraqi brigades for continuing operations against remnants of the terrorist group Daesh.”
Col. Shehab Nasser, Iraqi Commander of SINCO II, thanked the Australian and New Zealand contingent for its partnership in helping the school reach a self-sustainable training structure.
“The teaching SINCO II provides to Iraqi soldiers is very important in developing their military skills and battlefield effectiveness,” Shehab stated. “Thanks to Australia and New Zealand, we are now equipped to take over full responsibility for providing this training to Iraqi Army brigades.”
Task Group Taji has helped train over 46,000 members of the Iraqi Security Forces and law enforcement agency personnel across nine rotations since 2015.
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 operational capability under the coalition Operation Inherent Resolve.
SINCO II has been under the Australian and New Zealand train-advise-assist mission since 2015.
Rear Adm. Mark Hill, Australian Commander of Joint Task Force 633, said Iraqi instructors will now assume responsibility for all training while a reduced Australian and New Zealand contingent will provide mentoring, institutional advice and guidance.
“By playing their part in achieving this significant milestone, the Australian and New Zealand defense forces have again proved the effectiveness of our Build Partner Capacity Mission in Iraq,” Hill said. “I congratulate our friends and colleagues in the Iraqi Security Forces on this achievement, which will help prevent the re-establishment of Daesh in their country.”
Iraqi instructors from SINCO II have transitioned from learning instruction techniques to delivering lessons independently.
Col. Michael Bassingthwaighte, Australian Commander of Task Group Taji, said the Iraqis have proven they are capable of delivering training to a high standard.
“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 Bassingthwaighte. “Significantly, this has all been done while still preparing Iraqi brigades for continuing operations against remnants of the terrorist group Daesh.”
Col. Shehab Nasser, Iraqi Commander of SINCO II, thanked the Australian and New Zealand contingent for its partnership in helping the school reach a self-sustainable training structure.
“The teaching SINCO II provides to Iraqi soldiers is very important in developing their military skills and battlefield effectiveness,” Shehab stated. “Thanks to Australia and New Zealand, we are now equipped to take over full responsibility for providing this training to Iraqi Army brigades.”
Task Group Taji has helped train over 46,000 members of the Iraqi Security Forces and law enforcement agency personnel across nine rotations since 2015.
You can find photos from the ceremony here:
(l-r) New Zealand Army officer Colonel Ben Pitt, Royal Australian Navy Rear Admiral Mark Hill, CSC, RAN, Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) Commander of the School of Infantry Noncommissioned Officer II (SINCO II) British Army officer, Major General Gerald Strickland, pose for a photo with the SINCO II Final Operating Capability certificate, at the Taji Military Complex, Iraq, Nov. 19, 2019. SINCO II has announced full operational capability. This milestone certified SINCO II as the first Iraqi training establishment to have capacity to run 100 percent of its courses. Which marks the transition of Australian and New Zealand support from hands-on training teams to a School Mentoring Team. Task Group Taji has trained more than 46,000 members of the ISF and law enforcement since 2015. Together, Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve and the ISF will develop a sustainable and inclusive ISF that can secure its sovereign borders, protect the population and support a return to normalcy across the country and ensure the lasting defeat of Daesh. (Portions of this photo have been blurred to protect operational security) (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Cpl. Tamara Cummings)
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To see in Arabic: CJTF-OIR Press Release-20191121-01-FOC Ceremony_النسخة_العربية