2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs

Story by Staff Sgt. jason douglas

FORWARD OPERATING BASE WARRIOR, KIRKUK, Iraq – Ensuring the Iraqi Police are capable of protecting the Iraqi people requires constant training and part of that training involves reinforcing the basics on the use of their weapons.

Soldiers from Echo Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, have spent several days with the Altun Kapri IP, in Kirkuk Province, to provide weapons familiarization training.

1st Lt. Bryan Riggs, a platoon leader with Echo Co. and his Soldiers conducted the firing fundamentals training for the IPs.

"We went to train the IP on marksmanship fundamentals in order to create a more effective and capable police force as well as build their confidence," Riggs said.

While Riggs did not have the standard AK-47 Assault Rifle and pistols that most of the IP carry, he said the basics of firing are not limited to one weapons platform.

"We did a block of instruction with our M-4 carbines, but the fundamentals of firing transcend weapons," he explained.

Riggs' Soldiers instructed the IP on the basics of firing, which include proper steady position, breathing techniques, obtaining the proper sight picture, and proper trigger squeeze.

"We brought in a presentation that was translated into Arabic, which had many illustrations of the training," Riggs said. "Following the presentation we mainly focused on hands on training using the weapons with an emphasis on safety."

According to Riggs, partly through the training a senior IP assisted by demonstrating the IP firing positions and techniques.

"All of this training is in preparation for a live fire range, which we will conduct towards the end of the week," Riggs said.

Riggs said the IP requested training during a key leader engagement, more specifically additional tactical training.

"All of this training will improve the IP's professionalism and capabilities as a police force," he said. "And, hopefully we will take something from the training as well."

Riggs' Soldiers have also trained the IP on room clearance and sensitive site exploitation, which also helped improve their ability to protect Kirkuk's cities.

"Sensitive site exploitation is where we teach them ways to look for unexploded ordnance," Riggs said.

Riggs explained that some rural farmers find unexploded ordnance and bring it to the IP stations. By providing this training, the IP will be better equipped to locate and remove those threats without the farmers putting themselves at risk.

The Altun Kapri IP have proven themselves to be more than capable of functioning as a police force, having validated several years ago, and has a thirst for knowledge to build on their skills, according to Riggs.

"The IP definitely are eager to learn and are known for their professionalism and organization," Riggs said. "They will exhaust all means within their grasp to complete their job before requesting any assistance from U.S. forces."

"The only request they've received from the Altun Kapri was assistance in obtaining river patrol craft," he said. "We are working to get some river patrol boats for the stretch of the Lower Zaab River that they patrol."

"U.S. forces will continue to provide training to the Altun Kapri IP and are conducting a live fire range in the near future," Riggs said.

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