Multi-National Security Transition Command Iraq Public Affairs

Courtesy Story

Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq

BESMAYA, Iraq – The Iraqi army's presidential brigade turned over their older AK-47 model rifles for newer and more accurate M-16s at Besmaya Range Complex in Iraq starting Feb. 5.

The weapons were issued using the biometrics system, which ties each soldier's photograph, fingerprint, voice, retinal scan and name to the weapon they receive for accountability.

After receiving the weapons, the soldiers receive training from Besmaya's staff. The training is broken up into three days.

The first day, the soldiers are taught basic marksmanship instruction, which includes disassembly and assembly, care and maintenance, body position, and trigger squeeze.

The second and third days consist of the soldiers firing their weapons to zero the sights in for each soldier's eye and to qualify the soldier on the rifle.

"The M-16 is a very good weapon," said Iraqi Army 2nd Lt. Soren, an officer in the presidential brigade. "It is the best weapon" since the Kalashnikov.

The M-16s were purchased via foreign military sales, a program that allows Iraq to purchase military equipment, material, and services using their own money from foreign countries. Foreign military sales is a very regimented program that provides a transparent and documented process to all 126 member nations.

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