An Iraqi division in Diyala Province recently received 150 Humvees, but other Iraqi troops and Iraqi police still have yet to receive the vehicles, said Col. Brian Jones, commander of the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.
Last month, President Bush said he and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Malaki agreed on the need to equip Iraqi troops with “greater mobility, firepower and protection.”
On Friday, Jones told reporters that the Iraqi 5th Division had received an extra 150 Humvees within the past two weeks, giving the division close to 200 Humvees.
Jones said he believes the recent batch of Humvees gives the Iraqi 5th Division about 80 percent of the Humvees that will be fielded to it.
The upgrade from pickup trucks to Humvees has boosted the confidence of Iraqi troops, Jones said.
“Those Datsun pickup trucks and other trucks they’re running around in are light-skinned vehicles, not designed for this kind of fight, and IEDs have a pretty damaging impact on them,” he said.
Still, the 4th Iraqi Division has yet to receive any Humvees and Iraqi police are “not in the Humvee distribution plan,” Jones said.
U.S. troops are working to get Humvees to Iraqi police officers, who are lagging behind Iraqi troops in equipment, he said.
“I think everyone over here recognizes that and they’re taking steps to make corrections to that plan,” Jones said.
Asked if he was having a problem getting Humvees for Iraqi security forces, Jones said no.
“The Humvees are coming. The schedule has been released and I’m confident that they’re going to continue to come.”
