TAJI, Iraq (April 2, 2008) – About 700 soldiers from the Iraqi Army Engineer Infrastructure Battalion celebrated the completion of their training during a graduation ceremony here Apr. 2.

The battalion was created in October 2007 and these soldiers have gone through six months of training in various areas to include specific training in electrical and pipeline repair. 

In attendance at the ceremony was U.S. Army Lt. Gen. James Dubik, Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq commanding general, British Army Lt. Gen. John Cooper, Multi-National Force – Iraq deputy commanding general and U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Robin Swan, Coalition Army Advisory Training Team commanding general, Iraqi Army Staff Maj. Gen. Merza Hamza Abdulwahed, Director of Military Engineering, and Iraqi Army Staff Brig Gen. Kamal Sady Raheem, Iraqi Ground Forces Command Engineer.  

The Engineering Infrastructure Battalion is a deployable asset to all areas of Iraq and is focused on being able to repair the electrical and oil pipeline infrastructure.  The forming of this battalion was in cooperation with the Iraqi Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Oil and Ministry of Electricity.

“This battalion was formed, organized, trained and equipped to secure worksites associated with the strategic infrastructure of Iraq,” said Swan. “They have been trained in electrical repair, pipeline repair and explosive ordinance disposal.”

Among the specialty training in the areas of electrical and pipeline repair, the battalion also conducted security training, weapons training, and first aid.