ERBIL, Iraq – Soldiers with 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, Task Force Strike, enable the Kurdish Regional Government’s Peshmerga forces to defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant through advise and assist, and train and equip missions.
“We are partnered with the Ministry of Peshmerga,” said Lt. Col. Edwin Matthaidess, commander of 2-502nd, also known as Task Force Falcon. “The MOP is part of the Kurdish Regional Government and is one of the security elements, per the Iraqi constitution, that makes up the Iraqi security forces. It is comprised of 14 regional guard brigades, which makes up their main combat power. As part of our advice and assist duties, we focus on the manning, training, and equipping.”