As one of several UK Military Transition Teams (MiTTs) operating in the Basra area, B Squadron 9/12L soldiers are embedded with 1st Battalion of the 51st Brigade Iraqi Army. Their main role is to continue developing the skills of the Iraqi soldiers so that they can get to a position where they can take be fully responsible for the reion's security.
The arrival recently of four Iraqi HIP aircraft with 4 Squadron Iraqi Air Force offered a new capability to Brigadier Bilal, the Commander of 51st Brigade, who selected his 1st Battalion to take on the role of becoming his Aviation Specialist Battalion. 1/51 Bn MiTT got stuck in straight away and worked out a training plan with the Battalion staff officers.
Second Lieutenant Tom Hughes is the MiTT Operations Mentor:
"We selected the best of the Jundhi [Iraqi soldiers] available and started by simply putting them through a training programme to prepare them for embarking, travelling safely and then disembarking from the helicopters in desert conditions," he explained. "When helicopters land in the desert, the sand and dust creates a 'brown out', a mini sand storm that means you can barely see your hand in front of your face."
Once the Battalion had grasped the basics, the MiTT focused on more advanced drills and procedures, providing instruction on how to secure Helicopter Landing Sites for embarkation as well as the techniques to be used once the group had disembarked onto the target location.
"We have taught them the drills of how to go into all round defence and then patrol aggressively onto a target," Lieutenant Freddie Inglefield saidd: "The guys are really enthusiastic and are very keen to learn. They understand that their professionalism is crucial for the future of Iraq and are really beginning to believe in themselves."
This is the third tour of Iraq for many members of the MiTT, but there is a sense that this time is very different as Major James Gasson-Hargreaves explained:
"There is a real sense that we are making a difference to the future of Iraq. We can see a tangible difference from previous tours and that is really satisfying. Security has improved and we are even beginning to wear our berets instead of helmets in certain circumstances. Seeing the Iraqi Army now deploying on operations in their own helicopters, capturing bad guys and seizing weapons is a real leap forward from even just a year ago.
"Just as impressive is the number of people who come to the Battalion Commanding Officer to give him information but also asking him to resolve their disputes. The Battalion is respected throughout the community. This demonstrates that the grip the militias once had over the population is waning. It is a real privilege to witness the fruits of the labours of all the Operation TELICs that have preceded us."