Members of the 202nd ING Battalion salute while the Iraqi national anthem is played during their graduation ceremony in Tikrit on Aug 16. Iraqi National Guard soldiers completed the ING basic course and the six day advanced training phase. (Photo by Roland G. Walters, 196th MPAD)

FORWARD OPERATING BASE DANGER, TIKRIT, Iraq – Most were once farmers with little education from rival tribes.

But on Aug. 16, the more than 300 Iraqi National Guard Soldiers who graduated from basic training were literally on one accord both militarily and rhythmically.

“We are ready to kill the enemy. We are ready to fight,” the 202^nd ING Battalion Soldiers thundered in Arabic, as they jubilantly hoisted their new AK-47 assault rifles in the air to celebrate the “proudest” day of their lives.

The ceremony was held on a sweltering morning on this forward operating base.

Dignitaries in attendance included Lt. Gen. David Petraeus, who oversees the training of Iraqi troops, Maj. Gen. John Batiste, commander of the 1^st Infantry Division, Brig. Gen. Ahmed Salman Aameed, commander of the 30^th ING Brigade and Dr. Bruska Shaways, secretary general of the Iraqi Ministry of Defense.

Iraqi and America media were also present.

The unit is the first cohort ING battalion, meaning all of the members came from Samarra, where there has been much unrest. The Soldiers trained together and will serve together alongside American troops.

Iraqi National Guard soldiers from the 202nd Battalion celebrate their graduation from the ING basic course and six day advanced training phase in the city of Tikrit on Aug 16. (Photo by Roland G. Walters, 196th MPAD)

Typically, ING Soldiers come from various cities and are assigned to unit across the country.

The Soldiers went through a three week basic course in which they learn basic soldering skills. The training included rifle marksmanship, first aid and common task training.

At the conclusion of the first phase, they went through an advanced six day course with the 1^st Infantry Division’s 1^st Battalion, 26^th Infantry Regiment.

During that training, the 202^nd ING learned the 1-26^th’s standard operating procedures and other tactics, said Staff Sgt. John Peeples, a squad leader with Alpha Company of the 1-26 and a New Jersey native.

His unit and the 202^nd will go into battle together in Samarra if necessary, he said, adding that the best Soldiers from the 202^nd ING were selected to form a scout platoon.

“They are the nucleus of the 202^nd Iraqi National Guard Battalion that someday will be called upon to rid the streets of Samarra of terrorists, thugs and assassins,” Batiste said of the new graduates.

Shaways thanked Multi-National Force Iraq and the 1^st Infantry Division for training the ING and other Iraqi security forces. Additionally, he sang the praises of the troops and urged them to make sacrifices as they run terrorists out of the country.

“My dear Soldiers, you have to know that you will enter history from the widest gates … ,” Shaways said through an interpreter. “The Iraqi people and we at the ministry of defense are proud of you, and we will support you as much as possible … .”

	Maj. Gen. John R.S. Batiste, commander of the 1st Infantry Division, shakes hands with Hamud Shukti, governor of Salah Ad Din. Both attended the graduation ceremony of the Iraqi National Guard's 202nd Battalion on Aug 16 and discussed a future course of action in the city of Samarra. (Photo by Roland G. Walters, 196th MPAD)

Hussein Abdul Karim, 18, was one of the graduates. Completing the ING course is his greatest accomplishment, he said, adding that his five brothers are also ING Soldiers.

Despite the dangers that lie ahead, he said, he’s not afraid for his life because he wants to defend his country and build a new Iraq. Besides, he was well trained, he said.

After the graduation ceremony, Batiste met with Hamud Shukti, governor of the Salah Ad Din Province, where Samarra is located, and several Samarra officials.

The United States is ready to spend tens of millions of dollars to improve the infrastructure in Samarra, a city with more than 200,000 people. However, “not a dime” will be spent until the streets are secured and coalition and Iraqi forces are able to operate there without interference from insurgents, Batiste said.

“We are all tired of the violence. The people of Samarra deserve better. It’s a great city,” Batiste said.

He offered to form a partnership with the governor and city officials to devise a plan to rid the Samarra of insurgents.

The Governor accepted, saying that he will do all he can to curb the violence. With that, the two leaders shook hands.

“By this proposal, we should kick out the terrorists … ,” he said. “Let life go back to where it was.” (Story by Spc. Ismail Turay Jr., 196^th MPAD)