Iraqi & Coalition forces Order of Battle as of November 30, 2007.

The December 2007 updates to the Iraqi Security Forces Order of Battle are now available at the ISF OOB Page. The significant changes to the Order of Battle are summarized below.

Iraqi Ground Forces Command (IGFC)

The real surge in Iraq continues as the Iraqi Army (IA) undergoes an "unprecedented rate of growth." The last time the US Army did a comparable rate of growth was the World War II mobilization and the IA is fighting on its own ground at same time. The total force in the IA and Iraqi National Police (INP) is up to 191 battalions (27 INP) of which 97 are in the lead (90 IA). The IGFC is up to 160,000 personnel plus the new battalions in training. More than 200,000 personnel are in the Ministry of Defense. Overall the IA is 120 percent manned and they are equipping new formations with US weapons in parallel with re-equipping old formations. Elements of the 1st, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 11th, and 14th IA Divisions have received US M4/M16s personal weapons.

As part of the increased IA capabilities, the 14th IA Division held its opening ceremony in Basrah on November 7, and the 7th IA Division transferred to IGFC command on November 1. The 7th has had a 200 percent increase in its brigades' strength in last seven months. This transfer places all IA divisions under Iraqi command. In addition, the IGFC is considering adding two more operational commands for Ninawa and Anbar. The IA has already established these joint corps-level commands in Baghdad, Diyala, Basrah, Samarra, and Karbala.

Shortly after the 7th IA Division transferred to IGFC, it deployed a battalion from western Anbar to Diwaniyah. This deployment was an IA planned and led operation that put an understrength division equivalent into Diwaniyah for Operation Oil Spill. Elements of 9th Mechanized Division, a battalion of the 7th IA Division, and the 5-2 INP Brigade joined the 1-8 IA Brigade and local Iraqi Police under the 8th IA Divisional Command for this operation.

The Combat Training Center at Besmaya has a range "as good as any seen in UK." One of the current uses for the Besmaya facilities is new brigade assembly and equipping. Five new brigades are to be formed there in next five months. The first brigade to be stood up there graduated November 18. The 3-11 IA Brigade is to deploying to Forward Operating Base Hope in Sadr City. The 2-11 IA Brigade is currently undergoing training at Besmaya and is expected to deploy to eastern Baghdad this month. The 4-3 IA Brigade was ordered to start formation on November 18 and is expected to field in March 2008.

The BTR80/EE9-equipped 4-9 IA Brigade is going through Iraqi Army Stryker Training Course at Taji as part of its improvements. As the elements complete training, they are partnered with the US 4-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team for field operations in northern Baghdad and Diyala provinces.

Iraqi logistics remains problematic and fragile since the focus has been on combat units. Third-line maintenance still consists of US-paid contractors, but the IA plans to take over payment. The plan over the next year is to form divisional logistics bases to provide for supply and maintenance in addition to regional support units. Taji will be expanded to provide the third-line depots and fourth-line base repair depots. Brigadier General Gledhill, Deputy Commander of Multi-National Security Transition Team Iraq, estimates the IA is 12 to 18 months away from logistics self-sufficiency. Expanding maintenance units is the priority, followed by engineers, explosive ordinance disposal, medical, intelligence, food service, and armorers.

IA engineering capacity continues to increase. Over the next year, the IA plans to add infrastructure support and repair elements for electrical and pipelines support plus a force-level construction engineering regiment for support and bridging. This represents the start of the IA replacing US Gulf Regional Division Corps of Engineer reconstruction functions.

Iraqi Ministry of Interior

INP Phase II training completed on November 4 with the graduation of the 5-2 (Sword) INP Brigade from Numaniyah. After graduating Numaniyah, the 5-2 INP Brigade deployed to Diwaniyah as part of Operation Oil Spill. The INP has deployed brigades from Baghdad to Balad (6-2 INP Brigade), Basrah (probably 1st INP Mechanized Brigade), and now the 5-2 INP Brigade to Diwaniyah.

The Iraqi Police is confirmed as having 56 emergency battalions in addition to the INP battalions operating in the provinces as paramilitary police.

The Coalition Police Assistance Transition Team has updated the number of Iraqi Police in the Iraqi Security Forces. The authorized strength has increase from 135,000 to 239,209. The manning level has increased considerably from “135,000 trained” previously to “171,840 trained” and to “238,681 assigned.” We believe the 36,000 increase in trained IP reflects Provincial Security Forces that have been incorporated into the Iraqi Police. The further 67,000 increase in assigned reflects the incorporation of Concern Local Citizens that are now being paid by the Ministry of Interior but have not received any formal training.

Note: Table of Organization and Equipment updated with planned standardized IA Division Organization.