Iraqi and Coalition forces Order of Battle as of Feb. 29, 2008.

During late January and early February, the Iraqi National Police (INP) 2-1 Brigade and elements of the Iraqi Army's (IA) 11th Division began operating north of Baghdad. The area north of Baghdad is normally controlled by the IA 9th Mechanized Division, but significant elements of the 9th deployed to Mosul to conduct clearing operations. The IA 4-9 and (at least elements of) the 2-9 Brigades are deployed to Mosul.

Iraqi press is reporting more Peshmerga forces are to go to Mosul. As part of the Government of Iraq's 2008 budget deal, the Kurdish Regional Government is transferring two divisions to the Iraqi Army. The Iraqi National Police is also recruiting and establishing a brigade in Mosul. The al Saleh INP Brigade is to be formed partially from 1,000 recruits who have lost family members to al Qaeda.

The first Iraqi Army reconnaissance battalion has been established. "The planning of Iraq’s ministry of defense and the hard work of many caused the Reconnaissance Battalion, 4th Brigade, 9th Iraqi Army Division to receive 35 rebuilt EE-9 Cascavels, Jan. 8." This is the first IA battalion to be specifically designated reconnaissance and its nonstandard numeric designation indicates that it is temporarily assigned to the 4-9 Brigade. It will probably be re-subordinated directly under the 9th Division when it returns from Mosul. It is also the only IA battalion with the 90mm gun-equipped EE-9 Scout Car.

The Iraqi Army continues to form new units at Besmaya under the three-week Brigade Unit Set Fielding Program.

• On Feb. 13, the 3-14 IA Brigade graduated.
• The 4-5 IA Brigade started receiving its trucks.
• Elements of the new Iraqi Army Presidential Brigade was issued US weapons. The Presidentials are probably being assembled from existing operational battalions (vice forming new battalions.)

On Feb. 24, the 3-3-8 Iraqi Army Battalion was active at Kalsu. This is the second battalion of new replacement 3-8 IA Brigade to be active at Kalsu. This indicates that the 3-8 Brigade is at least 60 percent formed. The original 3-8 IA Brigade was sent to Basrah and re-designated 1-14 IA Brigade.

According to Colonel Scott, Security Assistance office of Multinational Security Transition Command Iraq, they are concentrating on getting the Iraqi Army armored personnel carriers, especially BTRs, prior to getting tanks. "Until they have a main battle tank and a troop carrier, what we are is a BTR, which is a personnel carrier manufactured in the Ukraine. We would still procure that through U.S. procurement. They have to have a main battle tank and a troop carrier to create anything that resembles an army." However, Lieutenant Colonel Muschalek, Security Assistance Program Manager for the Iraqi Ministry of Defense, does not believe the Iraqis want to continue with Soviet type equipment. "The BTR case is very interesting because it was, in fact, signed and implemented, but recent discussions -- it will probably not go forward as an executed case. Had it gone forward, they might have asked for what comes with the BTR-3 Echo One and it’s built in Ukraine. It comes with a 30-millimeter cannon system. So if that ever goes to fruition, they could end up with a 30 millimeter cannon system, however, I do not believe the BTR case will continue forward in the future because I think the Iraqis are more interested [in a] program that might steer away from the old Soviet-type platforms." Of note, the Iraqi Air Force 3rd Squadron is the first to receive the new King Air 350 ISR reconnaissance aircraft.

"Carabinieri" training for the Iraqi National Police continues at Camp Dublin. The 1-2-1 INP Battalion graduated this seven-week course on Feb. 19. This was the second INP battalion to go through this advanced training. The INP Sustainment Brigade continues to be a target objective for this year. It is currently only 425 personnel, including a maintenance platoon and mostly HQ elements.