Iraqi soldiers graduate medical course, return to units in Al Anbar Province

AL ASAD, Iraq (May 19, 2006) -- Since Cpl. Haider Mohammed Jender joined the Iraqi Army a year ago, he has learned how to combat insurgents and provide security to his people.



Now, the 34-year-old Iraqi soldier has completed what he says is the most important training he’ll ever receive – how to save lives.



Jender was one of 20 Iraqi soldiers who recently graduated from an Iraqi Army’s Basic Medical Course here – the first in western Al Anbar Province – five weeks of lectures, written examinations and practical application on what U.S. medical personnel deem as crucial life-saving skills for treating casualties in combat.



“It’s most important how to stop the bleeding, treat for shock and how to treat life-threatening trauma,” said Jender, who will return to his unit in Haditha, Iraq, as a certified medic. “Now, we can save the lives of our brothers, whether they are soldiers or civilians.”



The graduation marked the first batch of fully-qualified, Iraqi Army medics who will serve in units throughout western Al Anbar Province. The plan is to have about 150 trained Iraqi medics by year’s end to serve with Iraqi Army battalions partnered with U.S. military units throughout the province.



The training, usually held at the Iraqi Army training facility just west of Fallujah in Habbaniyah, was another building-block in the Iraqis’ progression towards independent operations, which U.S. military officials have said will happen by year’s end.



While Iraqi Security Forces have made notable progress combating insurgents on their own, they have been criticized in recent months for their continued reliance on U.S. forces for logistical support, to include healthcare on the battlefield.



“This is a big sign of progress,” said U.S. Army Sgt. Jesse G. Sanchez, one ...