Office of Security Transition-Iraq
The Office of Security Transition-Iraq will fall under the purview of the new Multi-National Force-Iraq. [1]
On May 5, 2004, Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld announced "that the President has nominated Maj. Gen. David Petraeus for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general and assignment as chief, Office of Security Transition-Iraq. Petraeus is currently serving as the commanding general, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and Fort Campbell, Fort Campbell, Ky." [2]
The May 17, 2004, issue of the Army Times reports that "This shop will be in charge of training and equipping all Iraqi security forces during the transition until 'the Iraqis can assume full responsibility for their own security at the earliest suitable time," according to "Army Lt. Gen. Walter L. Sharp, director of strategic plans and policy on the Joint Staff, told the House International Relations Committee at a May 13 [2004] hearing."
- "The U.S. military will continue, throughout the transition, to train and equip Iraqi security forces. Army Maj. Gen. David Petraeus, former commander of the 101st Airborne Division, was recently reassigned to Iraq to lead the training program.
- "More than 210,000 Iraqis are providing security of some form in their country, according to Sharp, including 87,000 police, 15,000 border guards, 28,000 in the civil defense corps, 4,000 in the Iraqi armed forces and 74,000 in the facilities-protection service.
- "By the end of June, that force will grow to 230,000, Sharp said.
- "'The quantity of Iraqi security forces is on track,' he said. 'Quality and equipping are the key focus now.'
- "Many of the U.S.-trained Iraqi security forces have been ineffective when challenged. The Pentagon has established a new training program for midlevel leaders after the ineffectiveness of earlier Iraqi units.
- "'We are working to establish the conditions necessary for the transition of local control to Iraqis,' Sharp said. 'In order for this transition to be effective, it requires the existence of Iraqi security organizations capable of providing local law and order, as well as organizations capable of planning, directing, and executing security operations.'
- "In addition to fostering a domestic security force, the Pentagon wants to find more international military partners to help shoulder the burden of securing the nation during the upcoming political transition."
