"I am very impressed with the professionalism and the willingness of the Iraqi army to out there and fight and go after the insurgents,

smugglers or other special groups out there. I am very surprised at the proficiency and the sacrifice that the Iraqi security forces are making," said Col. Philip F. Battaglia, Commander of 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, the Long Knife Brigade, based out of Fort Hood, Texas, during a DoD Bloggers Roundtable Sept. 3.

Col. Battaglia spoke with bloggers about the 4-1 mission in Iraq since deploying in mid-June 2008 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Col. Battaglia's brigade is currently partnered with the 10th Iraqi Army Division and other Iraqi security forces in three southern provinces in Iraq. These provinces include Muthanna, Dhi Qar, and Maysan. Col. Battaglia highlighted the sacrifices of the Iraqi security forces and their continuing desire to enlist in both the Iraqi police and the Iraqi Army. "To me, that shows their confidence in their system ... their confidence in Iraq and the future of Iraq," said Battaglia.

Joining us on the call were Jarred Fishman, airforcepundit; Marisa Cochrane, understandingwar.org; and Grim, blackfive.net.