BAGHDAD — The Iraqi military has been preparing for a major exercise
that could determine its capability to operate without massive support from
the United States.
Officials said the exercise, which has been delayed for more than a
month, was designed to test command and control of the Iraq Army and
security forces. They said this would be the first Iraqi national-level
command and control exercise since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003.
The exercise had been scheduled for May, but officials reported a delay
as Iraq struggled to form a government, Middle East Newsline reported. The new government has not appointed
either a defense minister or an interior minister.
"It [the command post exercise] will provide a forum for the Iraqi
Security Forces, security
ministries, and coalition forces to rehearse synchronized operations and the
proper roles,
responsibilities, and authorities of each, as they will exist under
Provincial Iraqi Control," a U.S. Defense Department report said.
"Specifically, the exercise will allow high-level Iraqi leadership to
practice national command and control linkages and to discuss the national
decision-making process."
Iraq has about 265,000 military and police trained and equipped
personnel. But officials said Iraqi forces continue to be plagued by
deficiencies in command and control and logistics, which ensure their
dependence on the United States.
"Development of the civilian functions of the MoD is necessary for the
Iraqi armed forces to be able to operate and sustain themselves more
independently of coalition forces," the report, released on May 26, said.
"An integrated and coordinated effort to ensure that key ministerial
functions develop commensurate with those of the IAF has made progress over
this quarter."
Officials said the exercise would test the capabilities of Iraqi
commanders and the government ministries that oversee the military and
police. They said the results of the exercise would determine the type of
U.S. assistance granted to the Defense and Interior ministries over the next
year.
"It's Iraq," Brig. Gen. Carter Ham, deputy director for regional
operations in the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said. "It's their country. Our job
is to help them."
