Iraq Assistance Group

Iraq Assistance Group

Active	2005 - 2009
Country	United States
Branch	Joint Command
Size	~150
Part of	Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Headquarters	Camp Victory, Baghdad
Engagements	Iraq War
Decorations	Joint Meritorious Unit Award

The Iraq Assistance Group (IAG) was a U.S. military command underneath Multi-National Corps-Iraq that coordinated military transition teams assigned to the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) including the Iraqi Army, Federal Police, Department of Border Enforcement, Ports of Entry Directorate and provincial police. These teams provide partnership, mentoring and training to assist their ISF partners in achieving full operational effectiveness and facilitating the transition of internal security to Iraqi control. The Iraq Assistance Group itself was a joint command formed from the U.S. Army's 1st Infantry Division and composed of mostly Army soldiers but also including a sizable contingent of sailors, airmen and marines as well as members of foreign militaries.

The setup and mission of the Iraq Assistance Group was similar to the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV) and Military Assistance Advisory Group (MAAG) that sent American military advisors to train, advise and mentor members of foreign militaries in Indochina, specifically the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN), Republic of Vietnam Marine Corps, Republic of Vietnam Navy and the Vietnam Air Force.

The Iraq Assistance Group and the transition teams it supported played a pivotal role in the success of the coalition strategy in Iraq which has made possible the planned redeployment of all US forces in Iraq in accordance with the U.S.-Iraq Status of Forces Agreement.

Dissolution

As the security situation in Iraq improved along with the capabilities of the Iraqi Security Forces, the primary focus of coalition forces shifted from combat operations to partnership and mentoring. As a result, it was decided to merge the Iraq Assistance Group back into its parent command. On 3 June 2009, the Iraq Assistance Group cased its colors and its functions and personnel were merged into Multi-National Corps-Iraq.

Training

Currently all Army Military Transition Teams (MiTTs), receive training at Fort Riley, Kansas and Camp Buehring, Kuwait. Marine Corps MiTTs receive training both at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, CA and the Advisor Training Group on Camp Pendleton, CA. Both the Army and Marine Corps teams then conduct their final in-theater training at what was formerly the Phoenix Academy located in Taji, Iraq before they are assigned to their Iraqi Army, Police or Border units. As of early 2009 the Phoenix Academy has merged with the former COIN CFE (Counter Insurgency Center for Excellence) to become COINSOC (Counter Insurgency Stability Operations Center).

Notable members

U.S. Army Captain James Văn Thạch - first Vietnamese American military adviser to the Iraqi Army; only U.S. servicemember to be awarded the rank of Honorary Brigadier General in the Iraqi Army^[1]^[2]

Commanding Generals

Major General John P. McLaren - Commander 2005 to 2006
Brigadier General Dana J.H. Pittard - Commander June 2006 to 30 June 2007
Brigadier General James C. Yarbrough - Commander 30 June 2007 to July 2008.
Brigadier General Keith C. Walker - Commander July 2008 to June 2009, when unit conducted casing of colors.

References

↑ "First Vietnamese-American to Serve as a Military Advisor to the New Iraqi Army". Prweb.com. Retrieved 2011-11-21.
↑ "Two Years in Iraq and Honored as a General". Prweb.com. Retrieved 2011-11-21.