BAGHDAD (Army News Service, June 16, 2010) -- Iraqi Federal Police took charge of training at Contingency Operating Station Cashe-South, June 12.

For the past nine months, the Mortar Platoon from 1st Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment, has been working with Task Force Nassir Academy to build an effective training center for new federal policemen.

Nassir started off as a U.S.-led school designed to teach Iraqis how to operate their own training center. Today, the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 1st Iraqi Federal Police Division conducts all the training with qualified Iraqi instructors.

"The goal and intent of the commander was to put the training totally in their hands," said 1st Lt. Ilyas Renwick, a mortar platoon leader. "By working together with them and making plans, we have met our goal, and now it's Iraqis teaching Iraqis."

Recently, Nassir expanded from training 3rd Brigade policemen to include 4th Brigade policemen and soldiers from 45th Brigade, 11th Iraqi Army Division.

"These soldiers are disciplined, intelligent, motivated, and they take the training seriously," said 2nd Lt. Haydar Abd Al Majeed, training commander for 3rd Bn., 3rd Bde.

On June 14, Nassir conducted a real-world mission in order to allow the students to put their training to work while supervised by instructors and observed by Soldiers from A Troop, 1st Sqdn., 89th Cav. The mission was the last required task prior to graduating from the academy.

The trainees put their newly learned skills to work by conducting cordon-and-searches, using explosive search devices and questioning civilian suspects. The trainees searched numerous homes, farmlands and vehicles, said Iraqi officials. As a result, they located and confiscated illegal weapons and munitions.