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ITAM-AF trains Iraqi security forces to defend own bases

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Sanjay Allen
  • Air Component Coordination Element-Iraq Public Affairs
CAMP TAJI, Iraq --  The Iraqi air force graduated 74 airmen July 12 who will eventually secure Iraqi-controlled bases with responsibilities for entry control point security, manning of security towers and conducting security patrols inside the bases. The 14-day course was provided by members of Iraq Training and Advisory Mission-Air Force.

Maj. Kevin Eberhart, ITAM-AF security forces officer and Air Advisor, along with Master Sgt. Scott Henshaw, ITAM-AF personal security officer, trained Iraqi security forces airmen in weapons handling, conducting searches, team movements and provided a better understanding of the role of a security force in air base defense during a 14-day course.

"It was exciting to just be part of this training," said Sergeant Henshaw, who is deployed from Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. "To establish rapport, build trust and watch them grow in such a short period of time was really something special."

During the training, the ITAM-AF Air Advisors tailored training for a diverse group of Iraqi airmen who included new recruits and rehires, including maintainers, munitions, fuels and other career fields with prior experience under the old regime. Current Iraqi air force leadership selected these individuals for retraining into the security forces role.

The instructors embraced the language and cultural challenges that are a normal part of the ITAM-AF mission, according to Major Eberhart.

"The interpreters here are phenomenal," the Tyrone, Pa., native said. "They understand both languages very well. In fact, we review the lessons in advance to discuss key terms that may not translate easily, to find a common ground for what needs to be translated."

An example he gave was, "glove compartment." The Iraqi's don't have a word for it, he said, so the interpreter had to come up with an equivalent the students could understand.

Other than breaking through the language barrier, he also made sure he understood, and accounted for their culture.

"You must consider their culture before you speak," said Major Eberhart, who is deployed from Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. "What you would normally say to a class back in the United States does not necessarily apply here. So understanding the cultural piece to frame the teaching lessons is very important."

The students also had cultural challenges - - instruction in a new career field from American Airmen. Major Eberhart believes the Iraqi airmen embraced the training.

"They seem to be grasping the content," he said. "There's a few, as in any class, who we pay extra attention to and provide additional training when necessary ... so I work with the (Iraqi) instructors and they provide additional training to ensure every student is successful."

Seeing Iraqi airmen repeat and apply lessons he taught them made the training rewarding for Major Eberhart.

"The reward for me is instructing one day, reviewing that same information the following day and seeing them taking notes and being able to discuss the lesson in an informed way," he said.

Major Eberhart believes the ITAM-AF mission is rewarding and extremely important in the overall mission in Iraq.

"Our ability to train and advise while the U.S. completes a responsible drawdown of forces, is absolutely critical to the success of the Iraqi Air Force," said Eberhart. "Having the opportunity to directly train Iraqi Airmen is personally rewarding. Iraqi Airmen will forever rely on training that ITAM-AF has provided. The personal impact is the success story."