Good Day Readers,
This is my first ever guest article that I am writing for the website “The Hidden Dominion”. You may call me “V”.
Today, I will discuss the topic that has not been covered in the news/media/military blogs – the role of Slavic soldiers in the War in Iraq and other parts of the world in the so-called “War on Terror”.
What you will read later on in the paper will include information on Ukrainian soldiers, Polish soldiers, and I will also mention other countries such as Slovakia, Slovenia, and the Czech Republic who also fought alongside many other Slavic nations. Now, we may begin.
Slavic Soldiers in Iraq and Other Hotspots of the World
If you remember, the war in Iraq began on March 19th, 2003. That day, the news screens lit up as US bombers and fighter jets bombed “key targets” of Iraq. However, the US forces were not alone. Mainly Polish and Ukrainian forces from the Slavic regions assisted the United States.
It is known that 5,000 Ukrainian troops have rotated in the combat area in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (“Armed Forces of Ukraine.” ). Polish forces entered and by 2005, Poland had 2,500 troops in Iraq (“Polish Involvement in the 2003 Invasion of Iraq.”) .
A worthy note to mention before I continue: Ukrainian troops and other Eastern European and Western European countries have served in hotspots dating from Kosovo, to Africa, to Afghanistan, and even Mediterranean anti-piracy missions, such as Operation Atlantic (Wiki. “Armed Forces of Ukraine.”)
Let us continue on our main topic, the War in Iraq.
Ukrainian and Polish troops participated in many mission in the war. From Special Forces Group Alpha [Ukrainian Alpha Group’s mission was to protect Ukrainian diplomats, the embassy, and VIPs as well] and Grom saving Marines and Army troops that had their vehicles bombed by IEDs/RPGs. This continues to soldiers even supporting night raids with SEALs and Army SOF.
Other missions that they did in the region were medical assistance, finding IEDs, and counterinsurgency missions. Worth to mention, they were not alone. Czech, Slovakian, and Slovenian troops also participated.
After the country was becoming more “stabilized”, both Ukrainian and Polish troops began to train Iraqi Police and military forces. They taught them (CQB/CQC) (Close Quarters Battle/Close Quarter Conflict), IED removal, medical care, how to patrol properly and other fun stuff.
Later on Ukrainian and Polish arm makers/exporters were given big contracts for military vehicles and gear.
The Ukrainian troops even proved their skills by teaching New York National Guardsmen (Sgt. Rector, Alexander). Of course, they were approved by the President’s of both countries and by other political officials, so it was all legal.
Conclusion
To end with my history lesson, I would like everyone reading this to recognize the tough struggles that the Slavic men and women who served, were wounded, or have died in the Iraq War and other hotspots.
Without them, the war would have been longer and much more bloody.
Sources
Sgt. Foliente, Rodney. “Ukrainians Complete Mission in Iraq. December 11, 2008.
Commons, Wikimedia. “Polish Involvement in the 2003 Invasion of Iraq.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 3 July 2018, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polish_involvement_in_the_2003_invasion_of_Iraq.
Wiki. “Armed Forces of Ukraine.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 9 Aug. 2018, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armed_Forces_of_Ukraine.
Sgt. Rector, Alexander. “New York Army Guard Soldiers mentor and learn from Ukrainian counterparts”. June 21, 2018.
Guest Post Courtesy of “V”.