First regiment of M1A1SA tanks is activated

[hayder]

BAGHDAD – Iraqi and U.S. senior leaders recently gathered here at Camp Iraqi Hero to commemorate the Iraqi Army increasing its defensive capabilities by expanding its M1A1 Abrams tank inventory.The United States Forces - Iraq Deputy Commanding General for Advising and Training, U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Michael D. Barbero, answers media questions during an M1A1 Abrams delivery to the Iraqi Army at Camp Iraqi Hero, Oct. 14, 2010. USA photo/Sgt. Eunice Alicea Valentin.
“This is a significant milestone in the progress the Iraqi Army has made in the last seven years,” said the United States Forces - Iraq Deputy Commanding General for Advising and Training, U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Michael D. Barbero.

As of Oct. 14, 35 tanks have arrived at the Besmaya Combat Training Center as part of a larger, comprehensive program to modernize Iraq’s conventional defensive capabilities.Iraqi Soldiers with the 9th Iraqi Army Mechanized Division demonstrate the capabilities of their M1A1 Abrams tanks during a demonstration at Camp Iraqi Hero, Oct. 14, 2010. USA photo/Sgt. Eunice Alicea Valentin.

The package also includes eight M88A2 recovery vehicles, training courses, maintenance training courses, and training ammunition. The remaining 105 tanks and recovery vehicles are scheduled to arrive by December 2011.

“We need to be ready to protect the Iraqi people 24 hours a day, seven days a week; this is our duty,” said Iraq’s Minister of Defense, Lt. Gen. Abdul Qadir Mohammed Jassim Obeidi al-Mifarji.

The beginning of Operation New Dawn in September marked a critical transition in the American-Iraqi partnership. The remaining 50,000 U.S. troops in Iraq are now dedicated to the Advising and Training mission, Barbero said. U.S. troops are partnered with Iraqi Security Forces to assist them as required.

Prior to the arrival of the new Iraqi tanks, the U.S. and Iraqi Armies collaboratively developed a training program in early 2009 to help familiarize Iraqi crewmembers with the Abrams.

“What other country in the world would let another country use their tanks for training?” said the defense minister.

“The Iraqi Army has been the fastest growing Army in the world,” Barbero said. “These tanks represent this growth and will help strengthen the Iraqi Army’s ability to protect the sovereignty of Iraq.”

[Baghdode]

تخرّج 42 جنديا عراقيا من دورة تدريبية في التمرّس على دبابات M1A1


بغداد – شهد يوم الثاني من تشرين الثاني/نوفمبر تخرّج 42 جندياً من الفرقة المسلحة التاسعة في الجيش العراقي، بعد إكمالهم لدورةٍ خاصة في التعرف والتمرّس على دبابات طراز M1A1، والتي جرت على أرض مركز التدريب في معسكر بسماية في العراق.



ومع انتهاء هذه الدورة الأخيرة التي أجريت بمساعدة كادر مدرسة الدروع العراقية، أرتفع العدد الإجمالي للجنود الطلبة الذين أكملوا سلسلة هذه الدورات ليصل إلى 504 جندياً عراقياً.



وبهذه المناسبة تحدث أمجد علي وهو عريف صف قيادة أقدم في الجيش العراقي وأحد أعضاء كادر دورة التمرس على الدبابات M1A1، حيث قال: "أصبحنا الآن مهرة تقريباً في استخدام دبابات M1A1، وهكذا فإن مستقبل الجيش العراقي يبدو جيداً."


المصدر وباقي الخبر
http://www.shurakaal-iraq.org/for-the-m ... ion-course

[TangoIII]

Iraqi M1 Abrams



Iraq become the 4th M1 Abrams operator in the region, joining Egypt (M1A1s), Kuwait (M1A2), and Saudi Arabia (M1A2-SEP variant).

The Tanks

“M1A1-SA” (Situational Awareness) tanks are a modification set designed by the US Army, in response to their experiences in Iraq. It is potentially complementary to the M1 TUSK (Tank Urban Survivability Kit) upgrade, which adds a set of advanced sensors and machine gun operated from inside the vehicle, a loader’s armored gun shield, explosive-reactive armor tiles, a remote thermal sight, and an improved power distribution box, as well as other key modifications. See the accompanying article’s graphic for more.



The Iraqis have evidently responded to these tanks’ success on the ground, and Iraq’s tanks appear to borrow a number of these characteristics. Modifications for the American set include:

•2nd-generation FLIR (Forward-Looking Infrared) sights, which make a difference on the battlefield. General Dynamics releases specifically mention this feature for Iraq’s tanks.

•Far Target Locate.
•An eye-safe laser rangefinder.
•Driver’s vision enhancements. These may include BAE System’s DVRC rear-view thermal camera. General Dynamics releases specifically mention this feature for Iraq’s tanks.
•A power distribution box (note all of the associated electronics in these modifications).
•A rear slave receptacle. An auxiliary power (slave) receptacle is used to start a vehicle when its batteries are unable to supply starting current. A D-N-I.NET article had a couple of interesting points from the field re: the slave receptacle’s design and positioning, and indeed the M1 upgrade initiatives generally.
•A tank-infantry phone that is mounted on the outside of the tank, and can be picked up by accompanying infantry. This modification has been used on tanks for decades, but was left out of the M1. It improves coordination, without forcing the tank crew to come out and expose themselves to enemy fire. This had been a frequent request from infantry troops in Iraq, whose urban situations make this feature especially useful; it is featured on both M1A1-SA and M1 TUSK tanks.
One addition specifically mentioned for Iraqi M1s is turbine engines developed through the US Army’s TIGER (Total Integrated Engine Revitalization) program, along with pulse-jet filter cleaning systems added to improve performance in Iraq’s dust and grit.

There are also 2 enhancements that are normal on US Army tanks, but may not feature on Iraqi vehicles:

•Blue Force Tracking (BFT)/Force Battle Command Brigade and Below (FBCB2), which shows the positions of friendly forces and identified enemies on a computer screen.
•Explosive Reactive Armor tiles, which protect against incoming anti-tank missiles, rockets, and shells. The USA uses a set developed by a partnership between General Dynamics and Israel’s RAFAEL. Other manufacturers exist for this concept, but any tile set sold will have to be designed to fit the M1 Abrams.

The first shipment of 11 Iraqi M1A1 Abrams tanks and an M88 heavy recovery vehicle arrives at the port of Umm Qasr, Iraq. The remaining 129 tanks and 7 M88 recovery vehicles are scheduled for delivery in similar monthly increments until about December 2011.

The tanks will be transferred to Iraqi control at the Besmaya Combat Training Center, and are programmed for integration into the 9th Iraqi Army Mechanized Division located in central Iraq. Iraqi crewmembers are also scheduled to receive a complete new training package, in conjunction with the fielding of the tanks. The U.S. and Iraqi Armies collaboratively developed a training program in 2009 to help familiarize Iraqi crewmembers with the Abrams tank, using American tanks to train 65 initial Iraqi crews.



http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/M1- ... #more-5013

M1 Abrams
Specifications

Weight 67.6 short tons (61.3 t; 60.4 long tons)
Length Gun forward: 32.04 ft (9.77 m)[4]
Hull length: 26.02 ft (7.93 m)
Width 12 ft (3.66 m)
Height 8 ft (2.44 m)
Crew 4 (commander, gunner, loader, driver)

Armor Chobham, RH armor, steel encased depleted uranium mesh plating
Primary
armament 105 mm L52 M68 rifled cannon (M1)
120 mm L44 M256 smoothbore cannon (M1A1, M1A2, M1A2SEP)
Secondary
armament 1 x .50-caliber (12.7 mm) M2HB heavy machine gun
2 x 7.62 mm (.308) M240 machine guns (1 pintle-mounted, 1 coaxial)
Engine Honeywell AGT1500C multi-fuel turbine engine
1,500 shp (1,120 kW)
Power/weight 24.5 hp/metric ton
Transmission Allison DDA X-1100-3B
Suspension Torsion bar
Ground clearance 0.48 m (1 ft 7 in) (M1, M1A1)
0.43 m (1 ft 5 in) (M1A2)
Fuel capacity 500 US gallons (1,900 l; 420 imp gal)
Operational
range 289 mi (465.29 km)[5]
With NBC system: 279 mi (449.19 km)
Speed Road: 42 mph (67.6 km/h)
Off-road: 30 mph (48.3 km/h)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M1_Abrams

[hayder]

the 5th Batch of M1A1SA tanks has arrived in Iraq, there should be over 60 Iraqi +22 US loaners in Iraq now.

[Baghdode]

السومرية نيوز/ البصرة
أفاد مصدر في قيادة القوة البحرية العراقية، الخميس، بأن باخرة أمريكية محملة بإحدى عشرة دبابة من نوع آبرامز مخصصة للجيش العراقي وصلت بعد ظهر اليوم، الى ميناء أم قصر في البصرة، فيما لفت إلى ان الدبابات تأتي ضمن الدفعة الخامسة من مجموع 140 تعاقدت على شرائها الحكومة العراقية.

وقال المصدر في حديث لـ"السومرية نيوز"، إن "باخرة أمريكية محملة بـ 11 دبابة من طراز آبرامز M1A1، رست بعد ظهر اليوم عند الرصيف رقم 10 في ميناء أم قصر التجاري"، مبيناً ان الدبابات "تمثل الدفعة الخامسة في اطار صفقة سبق ان تعاقدت الحكومة العراقية على شرائها من الحكومة الأميركية لتزويد الجيش بها"، مبيناً أن "الدبابات سوف تسلم الى قيادة القوة البرية في وزارة الدفاع بعد أيام قليلة".

وكانت الحكومة العراقية تعاقدت في العام 2009 مع الحكومة الأمريكية على تزويد الجيش العراقي بـ140 دبابة من نوع آبرامز M1A1، وقد شهد ميناء أم قصر خلال الأشهر القليلة الماضية وصول أربع دفعات من تلك الدبابات التي تنتمي الى الجيل الثالث، وقامت وزارة الدفاع على اثر إستلامها بتشكيل كتيبة خاصة بالدبابات لدرء المخاطر الخارجية والداخلية.

باقي الخبر والمصدر
http://www.alsumarianews.com/ar/2/14649 ... 0news.html

[mosab]

Thanks a lot for the information Hayder! can anybody tell me how many T-55s & T-72s are currently serving in the army now & what is the plan regarding them, since 140 Abrams are not enough to protect the country?

[hayder]

I can't say what the total number of T55 and T72 operational are... maybe 200 T72s and a similar number of T55s. Iraq is preparing to complete the order for the second batch of Abrams tanks (already planned for and approved) so there will be 280 abrams definitely. But even If iraq does buy the "full number" of abrams that they want (700 tanks) they will still need the T55/T72 to remain in service as the armoured regiments of the Infantry divisions (with the abrams concentrated in 3 "HBCT" divisions).

Iraq may also buy a tank from another source in future... but now there are more important priorities in the armed forces... namely air power, air defence and artillery.

[Baghdode]

بغداد – يستعد معلمو دورة التعريف بدبابات أبرامز M1A1 التابعة للجيش العراقي لتعليم برنامج هذه الدبابات وطرق تشغيلها وذلك في مركز تدريب بسماية القتالي وبمساعدة من القوات الأميركية المرابطة في العراق.

جنود عراقيون من الفرقة الآلية التاسعة في الجيش العراقي الواقعة وسط العراق يستعرضون قدرات دبابات أبرامز خلال استعراض عسكري للدبابات في معسكر هيرو العراقي في الرابع عشر من تشرين الأول/ أكتوبر 2010.



ويعد المدربون العراقيون الذين تم تكليفهم بالمساهمة في تعليم دورة التعريف بدبابات أبرامز، الأكثر قدرة وكفاءة على تنفيذ هذه المهمة كونهم يتمتعون بسنوات خبرة عديدة في هذا المجال.

وفي هذا الشأن قال رئيس عرفاء في الجيش العراقي عماد خالد مدهوش رئيس عرفاء في مركز تدريب بسماية القتالي: "إن الطاقم العسكري العراقي يمتلك الخبرة المطلوبة" في هذا المجال، مؤكدا أن: "وزارة الدفاع توفر لهم الدعم الكامل."

من جانبه، أشار نائب الضابط في الجيش العراقي علي حمزة رضا أحد أعضاء الجناح الغربي لكادر مدرسة الدروع: "سنواصل تدريب وتعليم وإدارة برنامج دبابات أبرامز M1A1."

وأعرب حمزة عن رغبته ببقاء المعلمين في مركز التدريب لفترة أطول، وقال: "أتمنى أن يتمكن المعلمون من البقاء لمدة أطول لأنهم يمتلكون الكثير من المعلومات ويتمتعون بخبرة واسعة حول سبل استخدام دبابات أبرامز وتشغيلها ومديات الرمي الخاصة بها، ولكن عندما يغادر المعلمون سنحرص على مواصلة تدريب البرنامج ذاته."

وكان كادر الجيش العراقي المكون من واحد وعشرين شخصا قد خضع للتدريب على برنامج دبابات أبرامز فضلا عن نظام تدريب علوم المدفعية المتطورة، النظام الذي يحتوي على برامج واسعة النطاق تقوم بتدريب المتدربين على سبل تشغيل الأجهزة من خلال سيناريوهات تم إعدادها بواسطة الكومبيوتر.

وهناك اثنان من أنظمة تدريب علوم المدفعية المتطورة في مركز تدريب بسماية القتالي، من المقرر أن يبقى أحدث هذين النظامين لتدريب أفراد الجيش العراقي في المستقبل على سبل استخدام وتشغيل دبابات أبرامز.

وقال النائب ضابط في الجيش العراقي عصام سعدون سلمان أحد أعضاء كادر الجناح الغربي لمدرسة الدروع إن الكادر أدرك فوائد التدريب باستخدام برامج نظام علوم المدفعية المتطورة مثل نظام تحسينات التصوير الحراري، وأعرب عن رغبته بالشروع في استخدام الدبابات الجديدة، قائلا: "نتمنى أن تصل دباباتنا العراقية الجديدة أبرامز لكي نستخدمها ونطبق ما اكتسبنا من معلومات حول تشغيلها."


باقي الخبر والمصدر
http://www.shurakaal-iraq.org/archives/ ... 1-program-

[Baghdode]

السومرية نيوز/ البصرة
أفاد مصدر في قيادة القوة البحرية العراقية، الخميس، بأن وصول باخرة أمريكية تحمل 12 دبابة من طراز آبرامز M1A1 مخصصة للجيش العراقي، ميناء أم قصر، في وقت أكدت فيه أن الميناء سيشهد وصول وجبات أخرى من تلك الدبابات العام المقبل.

وقال المصدر في حديث لـ"السومرية نيوز"، إن "الرصيف رقم 19 في ميناء أم قصر التجاري في محافظة البصرة، شهد، فجر اليوم، رسو الباخرة الأمريكية (اليناس)، والتي تقل 12 دبابة من نوع آبرامز طراز M1A1"، مبينا أنها "تمثل الدفعة السادسة من الدبابات التي سبق وأن تعاقدت الحكومة العراقية على شرائها من نظيرتها الأمريكية".

وأوضح المصدر، الذي طلب عدم الكشف عن اسمه، أن "الدبابات سوف يجري تفريغها خلال نهار اليوم، لتسلم إلى قيادة القوة البرية في وزارة الدفاع بعد أيام قليلة"، مؤكدا أن "مفارز من القوة البحرية وفرت الحماية الكاملة إلى الباخرة التجارية الأمريكية لدى إبحارها في المياه الإقليمية العراقية، كما خصصت بعد رسوها في الميناء مفرزة من لواء المشاة البحري لحراستها وحماية طاقمها".

وأشار المصدر إلى أن "الميناء من المقرر أن يشهد في غضون الأشهر القليلة المقبلة وصول بواخر تحمل المزيد من الدبابات".

وكانت الحكومة العراقية تعاقدت في العام 2009 مع الحكومة الأمريكية على تزويد الجيش العراقي بـ140 دبابة من نوع آبرامز M1A1، وقد شهد ميناء أم قصر خلال الأشهر القليلة الماضية وصول 72 دبابة على شكل خمس دفعات، والدفعة التي وصلت اليوم هي الثانية خلال الشهر الحالي، حيث سبق وأن رست قبل أسبوعين في نفس الميناء الباخرة الأمريكية (Liberty) وهي تحمل 11 دبابة تنتمي الى الجيل الثالث، وقامت وزارة الدفاع على اثر استلام الدبابات بتشكيل كتيبة مدرعة ذكرت إنها "سوف تسخر لدرء المخاطر الخارجية والداخلية".

المصدر
http://www.alsumarianews.com/ar/2/15162 ... 0news.html

[hayder]

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=260

there should be about 75 Iraqi and 22 US loaners now in iraq. almost a 100 abrams.

[hayder]

12 more Abrams arrive.

http://www.dvidshub.net/news/62765/12-m ... aq-fielded

United States Forces – Iraq, Deputy Commanding General (Advising and Training)
Courtesy Story
BAGHDAD - Another batch of 12 M1A1 Abrams tanks purchased by the government of Iraq from the United States arrived on Dec. 22 at Umm Qasr. Once the tanks are deprocessed, this will total 63 tanks integrated into the Iraqi Army.

The tanks will be transitioned to the Iraqis at the Besmaya Combat Training Center, said Army Lt. Col. Tom Bentzel, the Iraq foreign military sales director with Project Manager Heavy Brigade Combat Team. Once fielded, he said, the Iraqi Army is expected to integrate the tanks into the 9th Iraqi Army Mechanized Division, located in central Iraq.

“The delivery of these tanks is a significant milestone which begins to establish Iraq’s conventional defensive capabilities,” said United States Forces - Iraq Deputy Commanding General for Advising and Training U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Michael D. Barbero. “A secure and stable Iraq that has the capability to defend its sovereignty will be a stabilizing influence in the region.”

The Iraqi Army and U.S. Army have been working together since 2009 to familiarize Iraqi tank crew members with the Abrams tank in anticipation of an expected arrival of 140 total tanks— 65 crews are already trained. Iraqi crew members are also scheduled to receive a new equipment training package in conjunction with the fielding of the tanks.

The government of Iraq purchased the equipment under a Foreign Military Sales agreement with the United States government. “We are proud to deliver the best tank in the world to our Iraqi counterparts,” Bentzel said.

[hayder]

BAGHDAD — The Iraqi Army’s M1A1 Tank Familiarization Course staff is preparing to instruct and operate their own M1A1 program at the Besmaya Combat Training Center with assistance from United States Forces - Iraq.Iraqi Soldiers with the 9th Iraqi Army Mechanized Division, located in central Iraq, demonstrate the capabilities of M1A1 Abrams tanks during an M1A1 demonstration at Camp Iraqi Hero, Oct. 14. The Iraqi Army’s M1A1 Tank Familiarization Course staff is preparing to instruct and operate their own M1A1 program at the Besmaya Combat Training Center here. USA file photo/Sgt. Eunice Alicea Valentin.
The Iraqi cadre are confident, and believe they are ready, as they have many years of experience and are currently assisting in M1A1 Familiarization course instruction.

“The Iraqi Army cadre have the required experience,” said Iraqi Army Sgt. Maj. Imad Khalid Madhosh, BCTC sergeant major. “The Ministry of Defense will support them fully.”

We will keep training, instructing and managing the M1A1 program, said Iraqi Army Warrant Officer Ali Hamza Ruda, a member of the West Wing Armor School cadre.

“I wish that they could stay here, because the instructors have a lot of information about the tank and the ranges,” Ali Hamza said. “But, when they do leave, we will maintain the same program.”

The 21 members of the IA cadre have been training on M1A1 tanks and the Advanced Gunnery Training System. The AGTS is a large-scale apparatus that takes crew members through computer-generated action scenarios.

There are two AGTS systems at the BCTC, the newest of which is to stay with the Iraqi Army for future M1A1 training.

The cadre recognize the benefits of training with the new AGTS devices, such as improvements in the thermal imagery system, said Iraqi Army Warrant Officer Essam Sadoon Salman, a member of the West Wing Armor School cadre. “We wish to have some of our new Iraqi M1A1s, to use and to practice with.”

Essam refers to the 140 M1A1 tanks the Government of Iraq purchased for the Iraqi Army through a foreign military sales agreement with the United States.

The tanks are currently being prepared for fielding in the Iraqi Army’s 9th Mechanized Division, which is headquartered at Forward Operating Base Hammer near the BCTC.

Additionally, M1A1 fielding and storage facilities are being built at the BCTC to accommodate 80 tanks.

The M1A1 is one of the best tanks in use today said Ali Hamza, who has been a tank instructor for 29 years. “It’s easy to use. All of the familiarization class graduates left happy and anticipate using the tank in the field.”

As Iraqi Army cadre assist in training soldiers in the familiarization course, they gain increased experience of live-fire range operations. This is of great value as they will eventually assume sole control of training operations.

The cadres have been working closely with ITAM-Army and Tank Familiarization Course instructors for 20 months. They are graduates of a previous M1A1 tank familiarization course and were selected for their roles based on their distinguished performance in their course.

To date, 462 Iraqi Army soldiers have graduated the tank familiarization class.

“So many Iraqi Army soldiers have been trained in the M1A1 program,” Imad said. “The M1A1 tank program is the best thing that has ever happened to Iraq. It’s 100-percent good training.”

Ali Hamza stressed the importance of maintaining the course high standard of instruction.

“The instructor’s impact on society is greater than the doctor’s impact on society,” Ali Hamza said. “If I make a mistake, I will destroy a whole generation of tankers.

“I am prepared and at a high level right now to lead and instruct, but I need to improve my skills all the time,” Ali Hamza said. “Learning has a beginning, but doesn’t have an end.

“My ambition is to go above and beyond my duty,” Ali Hamza said.

[mosab]

Iraqi Army drives into future with M1A1 Abrams tanks
http://www.usf-iraq.com/news/headlines/ ... rams-tanks

[hayder]

besmaya live fire exercise of M1A1SA

[التوبوليف العراقية]

THANK YOU HAYDER FOR THIS VIDEO VERY BEAUTIFUL