Italian Brig. Gen. Francesco Ceravolo, deputy commanding general for training, Combined Joint Forces Land Component Command - Operation Inherent Resolve, met with Coalition leaders at Al Asad Airbase to receive an overview of their training program for Iraqi security forces Jan. 7.
This was the first visit to a training site for CJFLCC's new senior training officer since he assumed his position with the Coalition in December.
"Defeating Daesh and helping the Iraqis to do so is the reason we are here," Ceravolo said.
The general's visit allowed him to establish a face-to-face connection with the Coalition leadership led by the U.S. Marines and soldiers from Denmark.
Al Asad is one of five locations where the Coalition trains Iraqi forces on multiple aspects of warfighting techniques which Ceravolo said are key to their mission of liberating Mosul.
"The training is shaped to enable the ISF to re-establish a safe and secure environment through Iraq," Ceravolo said.
According to the Coalition trainers, it's paramount that they put Iraqi soldiers into real-world situations to better enhance their communication and reaction through battlefield-type scenarios.
Some of the ways this is done is through teaching the ISF how to effectively conduct room-clearing procedures, safely assess improvised explosive devices and treat combat causalities on the battlefield.
"The daily training is pivotal in order to build the capacity they need to win," Ceravolo said. "I am confident that we are supporting the Iraqis in the right way."
As part of the Coalition's long-term training mission, Danish Lt. Col. Lars, deputy commander for building partner capacity, told Ceravolo that the mission of BPC is to help the Iraqis become more efficient so they can take the leadership role in training their soldiers.
Ceravolo agreed that the "train the trainer" program is vital for ISF success as it provides an opportunity where selected ISF members have the ability to pass along what they have learned.
"This will help build autonomy through self-training in the future of Iraq," Ceravolo said.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Due to national security concerns, some names in this story are intentionally incomplete
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