Iraqi Security Forces Order of Battle: July 2007 Update

The July 2007 updates to the Iraqi Security Forces Order of Battle are now available at the ISF OOB Page. Significant changes include the release of the Quarterly Report to Congress, updates to the newly forming 11th, 12th and 13th Iraqi Army [IA] Divisions, expansion of the Department of Border Enforcement [DBE], and the overmanning of IA combat elements by 20 percent. The significant changes to the Order of Battle are summarized below.

On June 13, the latest Quarterly Report was released. Highlights include the following:

• Iraqi Army has 36 brigades, 112 battalions, nine Motor Transport Regiments, four Logistics battalions, two Support battalions; five Regional Support Units; 80 Garrison Support Units, plus the Iraqi Special Operations Forces (I SOF) Brigade. Nine Divisions, 31 brigades and 95 battalions are in-lead or independent. Three IA brigades completed their 90 day Baghdad deployment and one was extended.

• Additional IA has been alerted for further Baghdad deployments as the fourth cycle commences. The planned 18,000 Individual Replacements to fill the IA to 100percent is complete and 10,300 of 12,000 have been trained for planned 10percent over manning [about 9000 of May’s 14,700 increase].

• The Strategic Infrastructure battalions are to go through two phase retraining/re-equip to become regular IA even as the specialty capabilities have identified two SIB capable units needed for 3rd IA Division.

• The IA has received 2,304x M4s and 27,238x M16s, which are being issued starting with the 9th IA Division.

• The Iraqi Special Operations Force remains the only operational part of the Iraqi Counter-Terrorist Command. I SOF’s Basra and Mosul Commando Companies went operational in May; while the Al Asad Commando Company is due to go operational in July 2007.

• The Iraqi National Police has seven in-lead battalions, 20 partnered battalions and three not-ready battalions [newly forming 10th Brigade]. The 10th INP Brigade is planned to be employed in Samarra reconstruction security. Phase III training of the INP is to start 90 days after the North Atlantic Council endorses the Italy-led training plan based on Italian Carabinieri (NAC endorsed 13 Jun). Phase IV training is to be training on security for pilgrimage, natural disasters and national emergencies.

• The Department of Border Enforcement [DBE] is now five Regional HQs, 12 brigades and 42 battalions [an addition of four battalions since March]. The DBE is adding smaller gap-filler forts between the 420 already established.

• The Iraqi Security Forces are maintaining a Brigade Operational Reserve of one IA Mechanized Battalion, one INP Battalion and a SOF Company.

• The Facilities Protection Service has shrunk to approximately 98,000 from a payroll of over 150,000 in January 2007, due to the removal of “ghost employees” from the books.

• The National Information Investigation Agency – equivalent to the FBI – has 2,700 personnel and is growing to 6,000.

• Iraqi Air Force has added a Caravan to 3rd Squadron [Kirkuk] and 2nd Squadron has received all 16 Huey IIs helicopters [IOC June]. Four MI17 helicopters arrived in May with complete defensive systems, while an additional 10 MI17s already in country are missing defense systems. Twenty-eight MI17s are to be delivered by December 2007.

While no further Iraqi provinces went to Provincial Iraqi Control [PIC], speculation and predictions continued through the month. The UK Fact sheet was updated on 15 Jun to read that “We hope that that Basra can be transferred to full Iraqi control in the second half of the 2007.” The report also stated that “sufficient numbers of police stations within Basra city are now assessed at a satisfactory standard to enable transfer of Basra province to Iraqi control, which we expect to be announced later this year, depending on conditions.” LTG Odierno [MNC-I] commented on June 22that:

• Basra could be PIC by the end of summer, despite his lack of satisfaction with the IP there. The IA in Basra province is doing well.

• Ninawa will take a bit longer for PIC, which will probably occur in early fall. Iraqi Security Forces are doing well,but the province is an Al Qaeda focus area.

• Anbar could be PIC by end of year if it continues along the same course.

During June the IA grew by 4,400 operational personnel [156,900]. This is an increase of 19,100 since start of May. Additional increases are to follow in July as “The Ministry of Defense is also simultaneously training and adding forces to hold ground gained by our collective security operations. They know, just as our commanders point out, that Iraqi forces are the long-term key to success. In the next two weeks, some 10,000 new soldiers will join their Iraqi brothers in the ranks of Iraq’s army, and the prime minister is also looking at options to further expand the size of the Iraqi Security Forces to meet the requirements both today and into the future.” Yet, no new brigades have been announced beyond the 36 original formed. The reason for this is that the IA is manning to 120percent to offset the liberal leave policy. This is a change from the previously announced plan to over man IA combat units by 10percent and will require 20,000 more Iraqi troops.

The Baghdad rotation is in its third installment and manning has not fallen off. [1st Aug06; 2nd Jan/Feb07; 4th starts Jul07.] During the month the 1st Brigade, 11th IA Division was repeatedly reported to be operating in Adhamayah and Rusafa Districts of Baghdad. BG Pittard (IAG) said: “…they’re working on an 11th Division now, they’ve stood up an 11 Division…” However, MNSTC-I reports that: “11th DIV (Headquarters only) remains in force generation as of today [June 27].” The new forming 11th Division includes elements from the existing 6th IA Division which “has 20 battalions and is being split since that is too big of breath of command”. While the pieces of the 11th Division have not been put together yet, existing operational elements are being re designated (1-11 Brigade is the former 2-6 Brigade).

Throughout the month there were reports of a need for more troops and further details of IA expansion. “More Iraqi army soldiers,” Brig. Gen. Ali said without hesitation. “Right now we have 200,000 troops. The first reason is that we need more soldiers watching and protecting the people. The second thing is that it would improve the economy and reduce the unemployment rate – and when people are poor, it’s easy to recruit them for terror. In my view, Iraq needs 20 divisions instead of the 11 (they) have now.” The Iraqi Joint Forces Chief of Staff said “Some of these divisions have reached the final integration phase and final establishment like the 11th Division. Some of these divisions are still under discussion, like the 12th and 13th Divisions.” The Iraqi Army 11th Division Headquarters is scheduled to be formed and functional by fall 2007, while the others are still in the planning phases. “I’m not sure. But I’ll tell you, just from the Iraqi army perspective, as I’ve said, they’re working on an 11th Division now, they’ve stood up an 11 Division — 11th Iraqi Army Division Headquarters, which should be able to take battlespace some time this fall,” BG Pittard (IAG) said. ” We think that in early 2008 a 12th Division will be created in the Kirkuk area and a 13th Division will be stationed somewhere between Basra and Al-Nasiriyah. Again, we’re seeing that growth. We’re seeing also growth in the Iraqi police services, and I would say, as it should be, because in a stabilized Iraq, it is the Iraqi police that will be the first responders. And if it’s something beyond their capability, it would then be the national police, and if it’s beyond their capability, and then it would be the Iraqi army. And that’s what I think it’ll look like in early 2008.”

The Cadre requirement for new IA exacerbates the leadership amd logistics problems. MNSTC-I and MoD are looking at shortening promotion time to alleviate this since Iraqi Officers are getting “a lifetime of experience every day in Baghdad”. Also, they are looking at a 4-6 month OCS program for university graduates. Current IA Academies graduate ~2400 2Lts per year in a 9mo school. The IA also plans to add armor, safer vehicles [MRAP], more air transport, artillery and a Cavelry Brigade [4-7 Brigade?] for border support on Syrian border. 2008 is the year for the planned shift to foreign defense for IA.

Other significant changes to the Iraqi Army include:

• The 2-4 IA Brigade has achieved independent status. This is the only IA Brigade in Multinational Division-North to achieve this level of competence.

• The Diyala Operational Command stood up on June 13. This command establishment telegraphed the imminent start of Operation Arrowhead Ripper by consolidating ISF command and control in the Diyala Province. This is the second Joint ISF Corps level command. The Baghdad Operational Command was first.

• The 7th MTR went in-lead on June 11 and transferred to operational control of 7th IA Division. This is the last of the nine original MTRs to hand off to Iraqi control.

• “Iraqi soldiers, police and border guards in the south will benefit from a Joint Leadership Academy which the UK is setting up in Basra later this year   The Divisional Training Centre where the Iraqi Army undergoes basic training is up and running.” This illustrates the expanding training facilities in the Shaibah facilities and the expansion of boot camps.

• “NATO is considering a request to supply Iraq with 70 Russian-made T72 tanks, an official said on Friday, while Iraqi state television said an offer for 120 T72 tanks was already on the table.” This indicates a plan to fill out the 9th Tank Division with more T72s.

• Habbaniyah Regional Training Center has maxed out since spring for training new recruits. There are 2,200 recruits in next class.

In the Ministry of Interior forces, the INP housecleaning has resulted in seven of nine Brigade and 14 of 25 Battalion commanders relieved for cause. The INP is 85percent Shia and the probable goal is 65-70percent through attrition and replacements. 7-8,000 INP graduate per year and the INP is approx one year behind IA. INP Logistics is planned to be formed and organized similar to IA. The 6th INP Brigade graduated Phase II training on June 8. The training and professionalization of the INP continues. In other significant MoI activity the Habbaniyah IP Academy opened on June 4 and the North Babil Emergency Response Unit [ERU] Battalion graduated 800 personnel .

Finally, a piece of speculation. On 16 Apr 2007 it was reported that “Two more divisions should become operational in June, and their M60 main battle tanks, M113 armored personnel carriers and other mostly U.S. and Western-built heavy weapons will arrive in the second half of the year. The objective is to have 10 divisions – six infantry, three mechanized and one armored – fully ready and equipped.” Since then, the only country found to be disposing of M60s and APCs is Greece. The Hellenic Army is disposing of its M60 inventory to stay within CFE Treaty while they take delivery of Leopard IIs. 671 M60 tanks [312 M60A3TTS/359 M60A1RISE] of which 13 were donated to Afghan National Army leaving 658 or 47 Companies [14 per Co] for other disposal. That is enough for three Mechanized Divisions [plus]. The Hellenic Army is also approx 1000 APCs over treaty with latest APC purchases and has over 1600 M113s. The majority of the BMP1s in the Iraqi Army are donations from Greece.

Tags: Iraq