Colonel MIKE BEACH (4th Infantry Division): They really have the lead in operations, and I have three Iraqi security force brigades operating with me in this area and I will tell you that the amount, tempo and scope of their operations is far exceeding my own brigade's operations.
Each one was well-crafted and we have worked really hard on that in pre-season, playing the game at a high tempo and I am really happy from that point of view.
As a soloist, I have sometimes found it amazing that persons who sit in an orchestra have to follow the tempo, phrasing and conception of this one guy.
Training has been fairly relaxed and easy but today the tempo was up and a few of the lads felt it a little bit in their throats but I'm sure after a few days we will get used to it and acclimatised to that.