As the increase in naval strength, and protect important part of efforts to oil facilities in Iraq from 26 to receive the first US-made patrol boats.
The same day, Iraqi Defense Minister Abdul - Kadir Obey Di and is responsible for training Iraqi security forces, U.S. military commander Michael Luo participated in Barbados from the capital about 500 kilometers south of Baghdad, Umm Qasr Naval base at the opening ceremony.
AFP reporter Miao Shu, military band live. Shows the ship sailors called "PB 301" patrol boats chasing ability.
U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command, Kevin McCoy said: "I'm proud for the first time to witness this historic event, the first patrol boats entered service in Iraq."
Saying by Agence France-Presse, the Iraqi patrol boat fleet a total of 15 that the other three will be delivered to Iraq in December of this year, and the remaining 11 is expected to be delivered next year. Formation of the crew right now is the United States for training.
Iraq original Gulf War the Navy in 1991 and 2003 destroyed the Iraq war. U.S. military spokeswoman said that in 2005, the Navy reconstruction of Iraq, now has 47 ships.
Barbero told AFP that he believed U.S. troops in Iraq after the withdrawal of the navy should be able to take up the mission, "the Navy will be fully able to defend Iraq's oil facilities, territorial waters and ports."
