Werre, a U.S. intelligence trainer, said the Iraq Army was no longer
relying on the Americans for intelligence. He said Iraqi intelligence
analysts have been working with helicopter and other pilots for the
collection of raw intelligence and transformation into mission reports.
"They've made huge steps," Werre said. "They take the training to heart
that we've provided and apply it to everyday operations."
Iraqi analysts have also been integrating data to enhance exercises by
the Army's Special Operations Forces. Officials said this would improve
coordination as well as counter-insurgency missions.
"The synergy provided by the intelligence piece has been used to plan
and carry out ISOF training missions successfully for months now," a U.S.
military statement said on March 5.
Officials said Iraqi intelligence still required significant improvement
in 2011 as the U.S. military was preparing to leave the country. They cited
the need for better intelligence as well as greater distribution.
"They still have some intelligence gaps that need to be filled," Werre
said. "Iraqi information and intelligence data sharing still needs some work
across the entire board. This would allow more of their operations to be
intel driven, fill some of those gaps and cut down on duplicated work."