Mosul Police get Familiar with Humvees
By Capt. Linda North,1st Cavalry Division
MOSUL — U.S. Soldiers recently opened a Humvee Driver's Training Academy for Iraqi Police (IP) here,
upon discovering the nearest Academy was in Taji, approximately 200 miles away.
The training academy's intent is to provide confident and competent drivers in preparation for future fielding of Humvees for the Ninewah province IP.
"This is a very successful way for us to take this course," said Iraqi Staff Sgt. Ummar Khalid Taha, Ninewah Police director of training. "It saves us travel expenses and keeps us close to our families."
The Humvees will give the IP better response time and more visible credibility within the province.
"With Humvees it's going to be more of a deterrent," said Capt. Brant Leyden, logistics advisor for the
Each four-day course teaches approximately 20 IP from several different Emergency Response Brigades in Ninewah province.
The first class began July 20 with formal classroom instruction provided by master drivers of Alpha Distribution Company, 215th Brigade Support Battalion (BSB).
The second day of training taught preventive maintenance checks and services of the vehicle. Days three and four offered hands-on training and driving of the Humvee.
"Today we went over ground guide procedures and driving the Humvee, braking characteristics and handling characteristics," said Sgt. James Ryan, driver instructor with the 215th BSB. "Tomorrow we're finishing up and giving them more driving time. That way they're a little more prepared for the roads outside of the FOB."
Some of the IP are also learning how to teach the course themselves so that the Iraqis can continue training their own forces in the future.
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