Iraqi Oil Police trained on 'moving and shooting' while securing pipelines
BAGHDAD — The U.S. military is training
Iraq's energy security force.
The U.S.-led coalition has been supplying training and equipment for the
Iraq Oil Police, assigned to guard energy infrastructure and operations.
Development of the force, with a training facility in the northern city
of Kirkuk, has been hampered by Al Qaida strikes and insufficient budget.
"With good help and support, this training site can be very good,"
Iraqi Maj. Gen. Same Othman, commander of the Kirkuk Oil Police training
site, said.
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Othman, who greeted a U.S. military delegation on May 19, said recruits
were being trained to protect the more than 180 kilometers of pipeline from
Kirkuk to the Turkish border.
He said the base, which remains short of
housing and dining areas, has undergone some improvement to facilitate
training.
"Our new obstacle course helps our recruits to learn the basics
of moving and shooting while conducting operations," Othman said.
