HQ$History - United States Special Operations Command

coalition forces across Iraq and nearly took control
of Hillah, its SWAT held out against his
militia until coalition forces arrived and drove
the insurgents out. Having grown into a battalion-sized
force, Hillah SWAT worked closely
with ODAs and coalition forces from El
Salvador. Accompanied by ODAs, Hillah SWAT
units have conducted highly successful counterinsurgency
and counterterrorist operations
across Babil Province and all the way to the outskirts
of Baghdad.
One of the greatest strengths of the unit has
been its strong and independent leadership.
Though part of the Ministry of Interior, Hillah
SWAT has remained remarkably free of particular
sects or political parties, and its leadership
has retained its professionalism. Hillah SWAT
has been particularly effective in suppressing
insurgents and terrorists. The leaders of Hillah
SWAT, however, paid a heavy price for their
impartiality. In October 2006, its respected commander
and deputy commander were assassinated.
A period of uncertainty ensued, but a new
leader has since been named. Equally important,
SOF training helped develop strong junior
leaders who ensured that Hillah SWAT continued
conducting successful combat operations.
In 2007, SOF were tasked to develop Iraqi
SWAT (I-SWAT) units for each province. As of
December 2007, CJSOTF-AP was working with
19 I-SWAT units. Although this concept was
still in its infancy, SOF were working toward
making the I-SWAT concept a permanent part of
the IP infrastructure.
In early 2006, CJSOTF-AP assumed the task
for providing training and advisory assistance to
the Emergency Response Unit (ERU), the premier
Iraqi police counterterrorism unit. Prior to
SOF involvement with the ERU, a contract company
trained unit members at the ERU compound,
but performed no advisory role during
operations. This limitation slowed the progress
of the ERU.
CJSOTF-AP subsequently tasked its
NSWTU and one ODA to train and advise the
ERU. The CJSOTF instructed its elements to
enhance the ERU’s counterinsurgency and counterterrorist
capabilities, and to promote its
interoperability with Iraqi SOF. By April 2006,
the SEALs and SF were fully engaged with
training the ERU.
Unlike Iraqi Army units, the ERU and other
Iraqi police units executed arrest warrants.
Enhancing police capabilities was vital to
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