Delivery of materiel to the Iraqi soldiers in Besmayah

The Spanish contingent has supervised the latest delivery of US materiel to the 72nd Brigade of the Iraqi army, which is being trained at the Building Partner Capacity site in Besmayah under Spanish command. The delivery consisted of 70 vehicles, armament and transmission equipment.

A Logistic Unit team from the contingent, which was entrusted with the delivery together with the 4th Section of the Staff, spent three days at the neighbouring US base “Hammer” coordinating the process. As commanders of Besmayah, the Spaniards were responsible for the reception, control and subsequent delivery of the materiel on behalf of the international coalition they belong to.

Regarding the materiel, it included armoured Humvee vehicles with mounted weapons (either 12.7mm Browning heavy machine guns or Mk-19 40mm grenade launchers); cargo Humvees; general cargo all-terrain and armoured vehicles; recovery trucks; ambulances; and armoured truck cranes.

Many of the vehicles are equipped with Harris transmission equipment, which has required that the US and Spanish personnel involved in the delivery offer a crash course in its use to the Iraqi forces receiving it.

The most sensitive materiel arrived via Chinook helicopters, whilst the remainder did it by land.

Lined-up vehicles waiting to be delivered (Photo: PIO Irak)