3rd Infantry Division Operations - Fort Stewart - U.S. Army

The Surge 79
direct fire, and improvised explosive devices – the enemy had
been affected by the coalition. Vigilance was paramount among
Soldiers in their outposts and on patrol. Baghdad was benefiting
from relative peace. Its government passed a series of legislative
measures designed to unify the nation. Reconciliation
was underway.
Iraqi Security Forces serving alongside U.S. forces took leading
roles in major operations. They often conducted independent
operations at lower levels.
Transition in Action
In 2003, the 3rd Infantry Division participated in the nearcomplete
destruction of Iraq's armed forces. Coalition forces
spent four years working to rebuild the nation's security forces.
This was not an easy task. The Iraqi Army, its National Police,
as well as local police forces were in need of manpower, equipment,
and training. Coalition forces had to fight the insurgency
and build the new national defense organization simultaneously.
Eventually, coalition forces would have to turn responsibility
for security over to Iraqis. Viable security required forces sufficient
to defend Iraq from all internal and external threats.
Transition Teams (TT) were formed by the Multi-National-
Corps and MND-C. These brave Soldiers were assigned to
advise Iraqi army and police units. They often lived and fought
alongside ISF at remote sites too distant for immediate U.S.
military support. These transition teams were appropriately
named for the tasks they were assigned. There were police
(PTT), national police (NPTT), military (MiTT), border (BTT),
and Point of Entry Transition Teams (POETT). Each received
training at a special "Phoenix Academy" in advance of their
alignment with Iraqi forces. Then, they moved to Iraqi gar-