First group graduates from Iraqi Border Guard Force program

The first group of Iraqi Border Guard Force members graduated at the start of the new year from a 12-day program conducted by members of the Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR) in Iraq.

This multinational effort has the US allocating more than $300 million to Iraq's border security efforts, with members of Spanish Guardia Civil leading the training. The border guard training program looks to secure borders and prevent the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria from spreading further. Guards are trained to use new, rapidly deployable, self-contained border guard equipment sets.

"The training focuses not only on operation of the equipment but also on the tenets of community policing, ethical conduct, human rights, first aid, self-defense and explosive hazard awareness," said Army Col. Brian Ellis, CJTF-OIR director of partner force deployment.

The equipment involves essential equipment for border enforcement and security, including two vehicles, defensive barriers, night vision equipment, radios, metal detectors, first aid, checkpoint supplies, a tent and a generator.

Many other coalition forces will be involved in the delivery of the training and rollout of the program throughout the year.