Well... I am a medic in a tanker company and back in May we were lucky to be chosen to train the Iraqis on our M1A1 tanks.

Now... I have been in Iraq long enough to know that I don't trust an Iraqi as far as I can throw them... but that's neither here nor there.

Well, the other day we graduated the first class of Iraqi Abrams Tankers. They are not the best drivers and not the best gunners. The whole process was complicated by the language barrier and we had to use terps for everything. We have been training them since June and now that the class is over we're going to go back to our regular duties shortly (August 1st or thereabouts).

Here's some photos I took on the graduation day.





Myself and one of the other Joe's goofing off with the Iraqi guards weapon. Actually, one night we were hit by an IED and we set up a hasty checkpoint with the Iraqi Army. An Iraqi soldier and I traded weapons that shift and I did the entire shift with an AK. Not legal or anything and we did it as a joke. We needed a joke or two that night. That was a bad night.

Oh yeah, I'm on the right.







The business end of the M1A1 Abrams tanks. I've spent more hours in this can then I like to admit. In fact, of all the tankers I have spent more time in the tanks than any two of them combined. Because I am a medic I have to go out on every mission while the Tankers take turns going.

And now were selling several dozen to the Iraqi Army.







Security was pretty tight in regards to the Iraqi Generals that would be attending. This is supposedly an elite Iraqi soldier. Keep up that vigilance!

If you haven't noticed I am skeptical of the Iraqi Army's ability to secure their own country. We'll soon see.

Cool picture anyway. He was pretty far away.






The graduating class in front of their ride.







The Iraqi General came to speak tot he graduates. These are the first Iraqi M1A1 Tankers so it was kind of a big deal. He spoke English passably well and after the ceremony gave us a little pep talk about how we had done a great job and that he has faith that the Iraqi Army can finally begin doing it's job.
I hope he's right.






American OIC giving his speech with a terp. About as fun as a funeral or... well... any military graduation. You other servicemen know what I'm talking about.







A couple of Iraqi Officers watching.




Well... the training program is done now and our replacements are here. So now we're just training them to train the Iraqi's. On the 1st we move out to our new AO which is in downtown Baghdad (left the cities, HA!) again to oversee Iraqi Army training and do the occasional mission if the Iraqi Army needs us.

Thanks for letting me share these with you. We may not see eye to eye on everything but ya'll are the best.

Good luck and I'm missing Texas,

Paul.

No thank you for sharing them with us.

Man I know exactly what you are talking about. I was in the infantry and did two tours over there and the Iraqi Army and the ING are some idiots. We were in several fire fights with them and I'm pretty sure they were shooting at us. Good luck man keep your head down and come home in one piece.

Hellbilly, chpd207:

<SALUTE> and thanks for your Service...First Team and Gary Owen!
It ain't easy working with Hajji.

Hellbilly, keep up the great work and get home (DEROS) ASAP! If you want to stay in uniform, in Texas, and fall out of airplanes/eat some snakes upon your return, give me a PM.

Take care and you'll be home fishing before you know it.

Rex

Thanks for your service!

Thanks for sharing the great pics.

Thank you guys for your service it takes a selfless person to do what you do knowing everyone else is just going about our business as usuall. Our lives our better because of what our service men and women have done for years. Keep posting the photos if you can

thank you for giving us civilians a sniff of whats going on of there..STAY SAFE..GOD BLESS

thanks for the service
keep em comin

Great pictures, thanks for sharing. I hope that all you guys over there doing your duty return home all in one piece.

Thanks for sharing those greeat picture. Thank you for you service and keep up the good work.

Thanks for sharing and for your service!

Thanks for sharing the pics,Be Safe and safe trip home!

Awesome pictures. Stay safe. Thanks for your service.

Thank you for your service and I hope you are home soon and safe. God Bless.

very cool
thanks
be careful