"So, all the divisions and brigades are standing up immediately," U.S.
Air Force Col. Dean Clemons, military adviser to Iraqi Defense Minister
Abdul Kader Al Obeidi, said. "Then, you're seeing the move to the training
element, to the logistics side, [and to] the base support units."
In a March 5 briefing, Clemons said Iraqi security forces must mature
before they could confront internal and external threats alone. He cited
training, logistics, maintenance support and aviation capabilities.
Baghdad does not expect to be prepared to counter internal threats
without coalition assistance before 2012. Officials said all of Iraq's
government ministries agree that services must improve as part of a security
campaign.
"I can tell you from personal experience that the pendulum has swung for
a grander, more clear understanding of the needs and the requirement to
[build capabilities]," Clemons said.
Iraq has also determined that it would need more than a decade to defend
against external threats. Officials said Al Obeidi has assessed that Iraq
would be able to defend against its neighbors between 2018 and 2020.
A key obstacle to independent military capability was the absence of an
Iraqi air force. Clemons said such a force could take years until Baghdad
acquires platforms for combat, intelligence and surveillance capabilities.
Officials said the Iraq Army, demonstrating logistical capabilities,
succeeded in moving two brigades to Basra to battle Shi'ite insurgents.
"The Iraqis planned, coordinated it, and executed that move on their
own," U.S. Army Col. Michael Fuller, Multinational Security Transition
Command Iraq's chief of staff, said. "This is just an indicator that the
Iraqis are beginning to be able to step up to the plate and execute
operations on their own."
Fuller said the Basra operation demonstrated the improvement by the
military, security forces and government ministries. He said the Defense
Ministry and Interior Ministry were coordinating to ensure recruitment,
training and equipping of military and police personnel.
"Logistics will be a big focus item for us this year," Fuller said.
