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Soldiers

Iraqi Army Soldiers Learn Efficient Logistics from US Experts

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Iraqi army soldiers are receiving mentorship from a team of experts from the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) to develop a national logistics system. A group of nine US experts is working with 130 Iraqi soldiers at the Taji National Supply Depot to improve supply chain management. The depot is scheduled to transition to full Iraqi control by December 31. The US team has helped the Iraqis implement barcode technology, conduct a 100 percent inventory of 15,000 line items, and develop an information technology system called the Iraqi Army Maintenance Program.

Key Takeaways:

  • The DLA team has been mentoring Iraqi soldiers since June 2008 to develop a national logistics system.
  • The team has helped the Iraqis implement barcode technology, resulting in a 50% reduction in inventory time and fewer mistakes due to human error.
  • The Iraqi Army has a great amount of respect for the DLA advisors, and the relationship between the team and the Iraqi troops is very strong.
  • The DLA team has helped the Iraqis develop the Iraqi Army Maintenance Program, an information technology system to track inventory and maintenance.
  • Initial training is being conducted in a train-the-trainer format, with the first 30 Iraqi officers receiving instruction now teaching their own soldiers.
  • The DLA team has made significant strides in helping the Iraqi army establish its own storage and distribution center.

Statistics:

  • 9 US experts from the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) are mentoring Iraqi soldiers.
  • 130 Iraqi soldiers are being trained at the Taji National Supply Depot.
  • 15,000 line items have been inventoried with a 100% accuracy.
  • Barcode technology has reduced inventory time by 50% and reduced mistakes due to human error.
  • The Iraqi Army Maintenance Program has been developed to track inventory and maintenance.
  • 30 Iraqi officers have received training and are now teaching their comrades.

Sources:

  • "Iraqi soldiers learn logistics skills in training program," Euclid Infotech Pvt. Ltd.
  • Navy Lt. Kirk Engler, deputy chief of the DLA Advisory Team in Taji.
  • Army Col. Lance Koenig, former chief of the DLA Advisory Team in Taji.
  • DLA Director Navy Vice Adm. Alan Thompson.

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