CONTINGENCY OPERATING STATION GARRY OWEN – For the last two months, the U.S. Navy Riverine Detachment here has partnered with 1st Lt. Hissinin, commander of a 50-man Iraqi Special River Police Company, providing hands-on training in every aspect of river patrolling and security operations.

This partnership and training led to a graduation ceremony May 15 in Amarah, Iraq, for a dozen new maintenance crew members and boat operators who completed the river patrolling academy in Baghdad.

The provincial governor, Mohammed Shaia Al-Sudani; the provincial council chairman, Abidul Hussein, and the provincial chief of police; Maj. Gen. Ashmail Arrar Khadim Al Majidi attended the ceremony here along with Lt. Col. John P. DiGiambattista, commander, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. After the ceremony, the SRP Company confidently displayed its new river patrol boats and maneuvering capabilities to the audience.

The SRP Company's graduation reflects the Iraqi Security Forces' growing capability to protect the people of Maysan.

"The training we received is a direct contributor to our success, and the SRP is now a great contributor to the security operations in Maysan. As of now, the SRP is officially ready to begin operations," said Hissinin.

The SRP are a force multiplier because they have the ability to conduct security patrols, save lives, deter swimming in restricted areas, move supplies and provide support to other ISF in the area, said Lt. Col. Majid, public affairs officer for the Maysan Police.

"The training our police are receiving is excellent, it is increasing our security and overall force protection," he said.

According to Navy Lt. Chris Garcia, commander of the Navy Riverine Detachment, the focus of the river patrol mission is waterway security. However, the smuggling interdiction, rescue operations and basic patrol boat maintenance are all skills the Iraqi Police are learning from the partnership.

Interacting with the local population and requesting them to lower or raise their "crossing lines" helps to develop a working relationship and foster trust with the people living along the Tigris River, said Garcia.

If the local citizens see an Iraqi Police officer riding on a U.S. Navy patrol boat waving to children, or a U.S. Sailor assisting an Iraqi SRP mechanic with engine problems, they will see that the two forces are cooperating and have a strong relationship, he said.

To the average Iraqi, these examples are necessary to show that the security situation is getting better, Garcia concluded.