RAISE THE BLACK
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RAISE THE BLACK
This campaign was started by a group of retired Special Forces soldiers who worked with the Iraqi Special Operations Forces from 2004-2011. We wanted to show the world what our Iraqi brothers were doing in defense of their country. The funds will be used to have these flags made.
Once made they will then be shipped over to Iraq to be flown by U.S. and Iraqi Special Forces as they root out the Islamic State (Daesh) from every corner and hole that they have dug for themselves.
The flag was inspired by ISOF’s use of black uniforms and black gun trucks. Daesh has used the fear of their “black flag” for two years and it is time that was changed. We want to replace the fear of their flag, with a symbol of hope and Iraqi patriotism. Highlight the history and shared brotherhood between ISOF and the United States Special Forces.
We took the traditional pirate flag and replace the sabers with crossed arrows. The crossed arrows
Originally (from 1890 to 1926), crossed arrows were prescribed for wear by Indian Scouts. During World War II, the crossed arrows were worn as collar insignia by officers and enlisted personnel assigned to the First Special Service Force.
U.S. Special Forces Crest
“Nous Defions” has been used unofficially by Special Forces Direct Action teams since the late 70’s. ‘“Nous Defions” is a mix of ''we dare", "we threaten", "we defy". This is not just daring, but also defy and challenging everything. "Nous defions" sounds like an arrogant challenge to everybody and everything.”
Who is ISOF?
The force leading the Iraq army’s fight against ISIS went from ‘dirty division’ to golden boys
ISOF has
“…spearheaded nearly every major fight against the militants in Iraq. Their commanders have become battlefield celebrities, while popular songs praise the troops’ prowess
The force of about 10,000 men is a small bright spot in an otherwise lackluster legacy of American efforts to rebuild Iraq’s military in the 13 years since the invasion. U.S. officials say it is their most reliable partner in fighting the Islamic State on the ground, while the Iraqi army struggles with corruption and mismanagement.”
"As the Islamic State made its first sweeping advances, a group of counterterrorism troops held on for months in the face of hundreds of car bombs during a fierce siege on Iraq’s largest oil refinery.
Last year, they led the battle to retake Ramadi, sweeping east to west as federal police forces struggled to progress.
They headed operations for Hit and Rutbah and scrapped for villages along the Euphrates River.
Most recently, here in Fallujah, Golden Division commandos were the first to break through defense lines set up 2½ years ago in the city, the first in Iraq under Islamic State control.
Backed by U.S.-led airstrikes, their signature black Humvees raced through neighborhoods where the militants had planted deadly roadside bombs and built networks of tunnels."
Iraq’s U.S.-trained counterterrorism troops join attack on Mosul
The elite units have been at the front of nearly every other battle against the militants in Iraq as territory has slowly been taken back from the Islamic State. The units expect to be the spearhead once more in Mosul and have about 3,000 troops involved in the operation.
“We’re the only ones with the capability,” Saedi said.
FROM "DIRTY" TO "GOLDEN"
When the Islamic State group swept across northern and central Iraq in 2014, Iraq's security forces crumbled. Officers fled and their soldiers beat a humiliating retreat, many stripping off their uniforms and leaving their weapons and Humvees behind.
But not the special forces, who held their ground and became a source of national pride.
The CTS "retained its organizational cohesion and structure in 2014 when many other units of the Iraqi army fell apart," said David M. Witty, a retired U.S. Army Special Forces colonel and former adviser to the CTS. "The key leaders of CTS have become central figures in the Iraqi public's perception of the campaign to destroy IS."
"Dirty" no more, the 1st Brigade is now widely known as the "Golden Division."
A NON-SECTARIAN FORCE
The CTS was designed to be a non-sectarian force, with Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish members who were strictly vetted to ensure they had no ties to political factions or militias. In the early years, the force mainly battled Sunni insurgents, but it also played a lead role in a 2008 offensive against Shiite militias. Maj. Gen. Fadhil al-Barwari, who leads the Golden Brigade, is a Kurd.
The force also has a better human rights record than most of the other participants in the Mosul Offensive. An Amnesty International report released this week documenting abuses in Anbar mainly focused on state-sanctioned Shiite militias, and included only passing mention of the CTS
This campaign was started by a group of retired Special Forces soldiers who worked with the Iraqi Special Operations Forces from 2004-2011. We wanted to show the world what our Iraqi brothers were doing in defense of their country. The funds will be used to have these flags made.
Once made they will then be shipped over to Iraq to be flown by U.S. and Iraqi Special Forces as they root out the Islamic State (Daesh) from every corner and hole that they have dug for themselves.
The flag was inspired by ISOF’s use of black uniforms and black gun trucks. Daesh has used the fear of their “black flag” for two years and it is time that was changed. We want to replace the fear of their flag, with a symbol of hope and Iraqi patriotism. Highlight the history and shared brotherhood between ISOF and the United States Special Forces.
We took the traditional pirate flag and replace the sabers with crossed arrows. The crossed arrows
Originally (from 1890 to 1926), crossed arrows were prescribed for wear by Indian Scouts. During World War II, the crossed arrows were worn as collar insignia by officers and enlisted personnel assigned to the First Special Service Force.
U.S. Special Forces Crest“Nous Defions” has been used unofficially by Special Forces Direct Action teams since the late 70’s. ‘“Nous Defions” is a mix of ''we dare", "we threaten", "we defy". This is not just daring, but also defy and challenging everything. "Nous defions" sounds like an arrogant challenge to everybody and everything.”
Who is ISOF?
The force leading the Iraq army’s fight against ISIS went from ‘dirty division’ to golden boys
ISOF has
“…spearheaded nearly every major fight against the militants in Iraq. Their commanders have become battlefield celebrities, while popular songs praise the troops’ prowess
The force of about 10,000 men is a small bright spot in an otherwise lackluster legacy of American efforts to rebuild Iraq’s military in the 13 years since the invasion. U.S. officials say it is their most reliable partner in fighting the Islamic State on the ground, while the Iraqi army struggles with corruption and mismanagement.”
"As the Islamic State made its first sweeping advances, a group of counterterrorism troops held on for months in the face of hundreds of car bombs during a fierce siege on Iraq’s largest oil refinery.
Last year, they led the battle to retake Ramadi, sweeping east to west as federal police forces struggled to progress.
They headed operations for Hit and Rutbah and scrapped for villages along the Euphrates River.
Most recently, here in Fallujah, Golden Division commandos were the first to break through defense lines set up 2½ years ago in the city, the first in Iraq under Islamic State control.
Backed by U.S.-led airstrikes, their signature black Humvees raced through neighborhoods where the militants had planted deadly roadside bombs and built networks of tunnels."
Iraq’s U.S.-trained counterterrorism troops join attack on Mosul
The elite units have been at the front of nearly every other battle against the militants in Iraq as territory has slowly been taken back from the Islamic State. The units expect to be the spearhead once more in Mosul and have about 3,000 troops involved in the operation.
“We’re the only ones with the capability,” Saedi said.
FROM "DIRTY" TO "GOLDEN"
When the Islamic State group swept across northern and central Iraq in 2014, Iraq's security forces crumbled. Officers fled and their soldiers beat a humiliating retreat, many stripping off their uniforms and leaving their weapons and Humvees behind.
But not the special forces, who held their ground and became a source of national pride.
The CTS "retained its organizational cohesion and structure in 2014 when many other units of the Iraqi army fell apart," said David M. Witty, a retired U.S. Army Special Forces colonel and former adviser to the CTS. "The key leaders of CTS have become central figures in the Iraqi public's perception of the campaign to destroy IS."
"Dirty" no more, the 1st Brigade is now widely known as the "Golden Division."
A NON-SECTARIAN FORCE
The CTS was designed to be a non-sectarian force, with Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish members who were strictly vetted to ensure they had no ties to political factions or militias. In the early years, the force mainly battled Sunni insurgents, but it also played a lead role in a 2008 offensive against Shiite militias. Maj. Gen. Fadhil al-Barwari, who leads the Golden Brigade, is a Kurd.
The force also has a better human rights record than most of the other participants in the Mosul Offensive. An Amnesty International report released this week documenting abuses in Anbar mainly focused on state-sanctioned Shiite militias, and included only passing mention of the CTS
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