Transition Team’s Role in Iraq
Major General Carter F. Ham served as an enlisted infantryman in the 82nd Airborne Division before attending John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio. He was commissioned in the Infantry as a Distinguished Military Graduate in 1976. General Ham’s early assignments included service as a training officer at Fort Knox, Ky., and tours of duty in Italy and Germany. After graduating from the Armor Officers Advanced Course, he was a recruiting area commander in Lima, Ohio. In 1984, he served with a joint service unit in support of the Olympic games in Los Angeles. From 1984 until 1989, General Ham served as assistant inspector general, then as Battalion S-3 and XO at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, Calif. He attended the Naval College of Command and Staff, graduating with distinction in 1990, and was then assigned to the U.S. Army Infantry School at Fort Benning, Ga. He served a tour as an advisor with a Saudi Arabian Guard Brigade in Riyadh then returned to Fort Benning, where he was the executive officer for the Infantry School. General Ham commanded the 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry in Vilseck, Germany, including a six-month tour with the United Nations Protection Forces in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Following battalion command, he was the senior observer/ controller of the Timberwolf Team at the Combat Maneuver Training Center, Hohenfels, Germany. He graduated from the Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., in 1997 then returned to Germany where he served as G3 then chief of staff, 1st Infantry Division. From 1999 to 2001 he commanded the 29th Infantry Regiment at Fort Benning then was assigned to U.S. Central Command serving in Tampa, Fla., and in Qatar. General Ham was assigned as the deputy commanding general for Training and Readiness, I Corps at Fort Lewis, Wash. in August 2003. In January 2004, he assumed command of MultiNational Brigade–North in Mosul, Iraq, serving there until February 2005. Returning from Iraq, General Ham served as the deputy director for Regional Operations, J-33, The Joint Staff. General Ham assumed command of the 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, Kan., August 1, 2006. General Ham’s awards and decorations include: the Defense Superior Service Medal (3rd award), the Legion of Merit (2nd award), the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (6th award), the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal (3rd award), the Army Achievement Medal (3rd award), the Combat Action Badge, the Expert Infantryman Badge, the Parachutist Badge, the Ranger Tab and the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge.
TRANSITION TEAMS
The concept of using small embedded teams of military advisors to assist foreign security forces is not new. However, the concept of using these teams in Iraq and Afghanistan has garnered considerable public attention over the last year, especially since the publication of the Iraq Study Group’s report in December of 2006.
In this report, the Study Group stated in their first sentence that “there is no magical formula” for success in Iraq. However, one of the Group’s key recommendations was that “the United States should significantly increase the number of U.S. military personnel, including combat troops, embedded with and supporting Iraqi Army units.” At the time this article was published, the U.S. Army, Air Force and Navy had already consolidated transition team training at Fort Riley, Kan., under the 1st Infantry Division—“The Big Red One.” Teams had been training on the Kansas prairie for months already, and a significant number of Big Red One transition teams had already deployed to Iraq.
Nobody knows for sure what the future holds in Iraq, but it’s likely that the requirement for transition teams will continue. These teams provide essential support for developing security forces vital to stability in both Iraq and Afghanistan. With effective security forces, these nations’ governments will be able to operate in increasingly stable, relatively peaceful environments. This stability will, we all hope, allow the Iraqi and Afghan governments to focus more of their resources towards improving the quality of life of their people, through democratic and economic advances.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF TRANSITION TEAMS
The U.S. Army began using transition teams in early 2004, as operations shifted to the self-reliance of Iraqi and Afghan security forces. Initially, teams were provided primarily by units already in Iraq. These “internal” teams operated with minimal training and resources in their efforts to advise, teach and mentor the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF).
As the role of transition teams increased in importance, the U.S. Army began, in 2005, training advisory teams at several locations, to include Fort Carson, Colo.; Fort Hood, Texas; and Camp Shelby, Miss..
In March 2006, U.S. Army Forces Command decided to consolidate transition team training at Fort Riley, Kan., initially under the 24th Infantry Division, commanded by Major General Dennis Hardy. The mission would be passed to the 1st Infantry Division upon its arrival on the August 1. Lieutenant General Russel Honore’s First Army would provide the initial cadre of trainers from one of his training support brigades to augment Fort Riley, while the 24th and then 1st Division re-configured their organizations to train these teams.
On the 1st of June, 2006, soldiers from First Army’s 2nd Brigade, 91st Training Support Division, commanded by Colonel Ray Lamb, started advisor training at Fort Riley. Initially, only teams headed for Iraq were trained at Fort Riley, but since then the teams bound for Afghanistan have also come to Kansas for their training. On August 1, the 24th Infantry Division transferred authority for Fort Riley and the training mission to the 1st Infantry Division.
Dedicating the 1st Infantry Division Headquarters and two of the Division’s brigades to transition team training demonstrated the U.S. Army’s commitment to the transition team mission. Although the U.S. Army was criticized by some journalists for moving too slow, the Army recognized as early as 2004 the value of transition teams, and took the initiative by creating teams “out of hide” while developing a strong training program.
Visits by Army, Department of Defense and Congressional leadership to Fort Riley underscored the importance of the transition team training mission. Fort Riley hosted nearly all key leaders in the fall of 2006, to include vice chief of staff of the Army General Richard Cody, chief of staff of the Army General Peter Schoomaker, former secretary of the Army Francis Harvey, and secretary of defense Donald Rumsfeld.
The bottom line became clear: the consolidation of training at Fort Riley under the 1st Infantry Division provides standardization of high quality training, more effective use of resources, and fast integration of lessons learned
WHAT ARE TRANSITION TEAMS?
In short, transition teams advise, teach, and mentor Iraqi and Afghan Security Forces, and provide direct access to Coalition capabilities such as air support, artillery, medical evacuation and intelligence gathering. As advisors, teams help develop capabilities of Iraqi and Afghan Security Forces so they become capable of independent, effective security operations.
Teams typically travel in armored Humvees and spend most of their time with the Iraqi or Afghan unit they advise and support. The normal size of teams is 10-16 military personnel, depending on the type of unit they advise. However, the number of members in a team can range from as few as three to as many as 45. Many teams are supplemented in theater with security or other support.
Only highly qualified senior officers and noncommissioned officers are employed in teams. These officers and NCOs bring a wide range of combat and combat support specialties to include: operations, intelligence, logistics, communications, engineering, fire support, medical and garrison operations. This multi-functional aspect of teams is further complemented by considerable individual combat experience.
Teams provide mentorship: flexible, resilient and steadfast teams provide a positive and professional example for their Iraqi partners in dealing with adversity and the challenges of serving in a democratic nation. They work with their Iraqi and Afghan counterparts to enhance the understanding of the rule of law and fundamental human rights.
The officers and noncommissioned officers of these teams are selected based upon their grade, skill and experience match, balanced with the amount of time they have had since their last deployment (dwell time). Also, it’s not just active Army training: Fort Riley trains soldiers from active duty, the Army Reserve and National Guard as well as airmen and sailors from our sister services.
As a side note, the Marines currently differ in the way they deploy teams. Their teams are connected to regimental rotations, whereas the Army, Air Force and Navy send out teams independent of unit rotations. The Marine Corps is committed to the same principles of transition team training, and the 1st Division communicates closely with the Marine Corps to ensure parallel training and standards.
TRAINING TRANSITION TEAMS
The benefits of consolidating training at Fort Riley under the 1st Infantry Division are several, to include a more effective use of resources and the standardization of training. Certainly, moving all training to one location saves money and streamlines processes. However, and most importantly, the consolidation ensures the highest standard of training for each team deploying into theater.
Each team trains for approximately 60 days at Fort Riley. Training focuses on seven core competencies:
• Combat skills
• Force protection
• Team support processes
• Technical and tactical training
• Advisor skills
• Counterinsurgency operations
• Understanding the culture
Beyond these core competencies, teams with special requirements receive modified training to meet their needs. For example, Garrison Support Unit (GSU) transition teams have met with local Kansas municipal administrators to better learn how to effectively manage a city.
Training foreign security forces is not an easy job, and cultural and language differences pose significant challenges. The training at Fort Riley takes these factors into account, and teams are provided more than 40 hours of language instruction; cultural awareness training is incorporated throughout. Teams also receive substantial training and exercise in the use of interpreters. Interpreters speaking both Iraqi Arab and Dari languages add realism and training value to the training environment.
The goal of each transition team is to help the Iraqi and Afghan Security Forces establish doctrine and processes which should ensure continued stability when the teams depart. In order to accomplish this, teams must learn to ‘lead from behind’ in advising, teaching and mentoring. This is a cultural change in itself for most U.S. military men and women, who are used to ‘taking charge and leading from the front.’ And yes, women do train and deploy with transition teams. Women most often train and deploy in teams such as the previously mentioned garrison support units or motor transport teams.
As the conditions and tactics on the battlefield change, and as we continue to learn how to better train forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, we also continue to modify and adapt training. IED training is constantly modified, sometimes on a daily basis, to reflect the most recent tactics and counter- IED techniques. Counter-sniper training was developed to meet that growing threat, and teams often return at mid-tour to provide face-to-face guidance on what works and doesn’t work in country.
Transition team training first prepares teams to advise, teach and mentor Iraq and Afghan security forces. However, teams receive extensive training as well in battlefield survival skills, weapons, advanced first aid and combat driving skills. This critical training helps ensure the survivability of teams in theater.
IN-THEATER TRAINING
Training continues after teams deploy from Fort Riley. Teams deploying to Afghanistan undergo an abbreviated training and transfer program, but for teams deploying in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the process tacks on another 25 days. Teams headed for Iraq first stop at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, for theater orientation training. Camp Buehring focuses seven days of training on High Risk of Capture training, foreign weapons familiarization, crew-served weapons training, counter-improvised explosive device (IED) training, convoy live fire and language training.
Next is Camp Taji, Iraq, where teams polish skills at the Phoenix Academy. The Phoenix Academy is currently an eight-day school that provides counter-insurgency training, advisory skills training, language training and additional hands-on training for communications systems teams will employ.
Finally, teams go through a 10-day Relief in Place/Transfer of Authority (RIP/ TOA) process. During this final phase of training, teams receive detailed briefings, are introduced to their Iraqi counterparts, and are made familiar with their area of operations by the outgoing team. The incoming team must brief its higher headquarters and satisfy the commander that all requirements to ensure a successful handover have been met.
Total training time for Operation Iraqi Freedom teams, including the Relief in Place/Transfer of Authority, is approximately 85 days.
THE IRAQ ASSISTANCE GROUP AND TASK FORCE PHOENIX
Once in theater, teams receive support and oversight from two key agencies: the Iraq Assistance Group (IAG) in Iraq and Task Force Phoenix (TFP) in Afghanistan. These two headquarters elements provide life cycle tasks for the support of transition teams. The 1st Infantry Division’s assistant division commander for maneuver (Brigadier General Dana Pittard) is “dual-hatted” as the commanding general of the IAG. He and his staff provide the critical link between the transition team mission in Iraq and the training at Fort Riley. Task Force Phoenix does the same for the teams in Afghanistan. The 1st Infantry Division also maintains a liaison officer with TFP. Both the IAG and TFP provide the 1st Infantry Division and the transition team training mission direct feedback in order to constantly adjust and improve training.
Both agencies provide:
• Oversight for transition team training
• Pre-mobilization and pre-deployment training guidance
• Coordination of movement to, within, and departure from theater
• Identification of equipment requirements
• Determination of team assignments
• Administrative control, to include personnel actions and equipment accountability
TRANSITION TEAMS ON THE BATTLEFIELD
The mission of transition teams is to advise, teach and mentor Iraqi and Afghan security forces and to provide direct access to Coalition capabilities such as air support, artillery, medical evacuation and intelligence gathering. In the end, transition teams assist Iraqi and Afghan security forces in assuming full responsibility for the security of their country.
Over the past three years, the Iraqi Security Forces have been rebuilt from the ground up to be a modern, effective fighting force. Afghan Security Forces were in place already, but the increased effectiveness of both nations’ forces are a result of initiatives taken in early 2005 and training provided by embedded transition teams.
The role of transition teams in both Iraq and Afghanistan likely will not diminish in the near future. These teams are crucial in the establishment of professional security forces that effectively support the fledgling democratic governments. With the establishment of effective security forces, the governments of these nations gain credibility and the ability to carry out their political missions—missions based on democratic values that will bring a better life to the people of those nations.
Much of what these teams do goes unnoticed by the public, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing; it’s part of what these teams do. They lead from behind. They put the Iraqis and Afghans up front, in the lead for security missions of all types. Good transition teams guide their units to victory—victory on the battlefield and victory in the eyes of the Iraqis and Afghans. As public confidence in security forces grows, Iraqi and Afghan security forces gain pride and effectiveness.
From October 2006 to September 2007, the 1st Infantry Division will train approximately 4,500 officers and noncommissioned officers in this critical mission. While there is no “magic formula” for success in Iraq and Afghanistan, each of these Big Red One transition teams undoubtedly will help create the conditions required for success. ♦