Sunni, Shia, Christians Work Together to Equip Iraqi Security Forces
Sunday, 30 November 2008 Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq
BAGHDAD — Senior Iraqi and Coalition leaders marked the transfer of the 3,000th armored Humvee to the Government of Iraq Nov. 22, through a program employing 522 Iraqis from different ethnic and religious backgrounds including Sunni, Shi’a and Christian.
This milestone transfer is part of a program to produce mission-ready armored Humvees for issue to the Iraqi military and Police forces and to provide on-the-job training to Iraqi mechanics.
The two-year program includes refurbishment of Humvees for the Iraqi Ministries of Defense and Interior and the Counter-Terrorism Bureau.
The first vehicles went to the Iraqi Army on March 12 of this year. Production goals for this program included delivery of 200 vehicles in March and 400 vehicles every month thereafter. The team is set to reach its target of 8,500 Humvees by the end of 2009.
“This partnership demonstrates the cooperation between the U.S. Government and the Government of Iraq to train and equip Iraqi security forces,” said U.S. Army Col. Michael Sage, Assistant Chief of Staff J4, Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq, who oversees the program.