American troops are back on the ground in Iraq.

Around 300 soldiers from the 5-73 Squadron of the 82nd Airborne Division of the Army are now on the ground at an old Iraqi military base north of Baghdad.  Many of the troops are now in their fourth or later deployment to the region.

The troops are back for the first time since 2011.

Military officials say the troops are there officially to train the Iraqi Army again in the manner they did before leaving the country the first time.  Many of the American troops told reporters they were shocked at the condition of the Iraqi military upon their return.

“It’s pretty incredible,” Lt. Col. John Schwemmer said. “I was kind of surprised. What training did they have after we left?”

However, one Iraqi military official has told the Al-Arabi Al-Jadeed news service the troops are there to fight with them.

“The new forces’ mission does not appear to be training the Iraqi army or the tribes fighting with me. We expect that they will provide direct support in the upcoming battle to retake Ramadi,” the official said.

Mahmoud Hussein Al-Alwani, leader of a clan in Anbar fighting ISIS, stated a similar view.

“The American fighting force’s arrival to Anbar gives a major military momentum to combat troops, because this force is armed better and has better experience fighting battles in cities,” he said.