Courtesy Photo | Sgt. Jay Gillam demonstrates the kneeling firing position to local policemen in the...... read more read more
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By 2nd Lt. Andrew Mark
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Multi-National Division-Baghdad
BAGHDAD – As Iraqi security forces across the northwest Baghdad district of Kadhamiyah continue to take the lead in securing the local population, the effort of improving their skills continues simultaneously.
Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers from Company D, 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), spend many morning's honing the basic rifle marksmanship skills of the local police force in Kadhamiyah.
By focusing on these fundamentals, the policemen are acquiring the ability to employ their weapon systems effectively, and their leaders are learning the techniques to plan for their subordinates, said Staff Sgt. Michael Calderaro, the platoon sergeant for 3rd Platoon, Co. D, 1st Bn., 502nd Inf. Regt. Their willingness to learn, particularly after a successful day of training, is obvious in their work.
"Each day, they bring an enthusiasm to the training that will enable them to get out on the streets and do what needs to be done to provide a safer community for the people of Kadhamiyah," said Calderaro.
The local police station in Kadhamiyah is the hub of police activity here in the dense, urban neighborhoods surrounding the Shrine of the Imam Muza Kazim, a predominantly Shiite enclave that is also a political focal point in Baghdad.
Their primary mission will be to conduct vehicle searches during the variety of religious ceremonies that draw millions of people each year to Kadhamiyah as well as investigate criminal activity in the area and serve as traffic control officers.
The importance of this mission is what drives Lt. Col. Jasim, the commander of the police force, to seek every training opportunity available and to develop an effective partnership with the coalition forces.
"Partnering with the coalition forces will allow us better mentor our policemen in the basics," said Jasim, who has observed a remarkable transformation in the once raw recruits.
"They know their weapons and the fundamentals of conducting checkpoints and searches," said Jasim, though he did acknowledge that this process is a work in progress.
Sgt. Jay Gillam, with Co. D, 1st Bn., 502nd Inf. Regt., is responsible for leading the block of instruction on basic rifle marksmanship.
"These guys are able because they are eager to learn," Gillam said. "They continue to improve with each training block we teach them."
The rapport between the Soldiers and the Iraqi policemen is impressive, which could be clearly seen as Sgt. Spencer Arnold, who serves with Co. D, 1st Bn., 502nd Inf. Regt., entertained the group through an interpreter and laughter broke out after the translation.
Despite the differences in their backgrounds, the common goal of securing their respective neighborhoods has united these men in ways neither might have imagined.
"We want them to succeed," said Arnold. "With their ongoing partnership, the security situation in Kadhamiyah can only grow more successful by the day."
| Date Taken: | 10.08.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 10.08.2008 03:59 |
| Story ID: | 24656 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 290 |
| Downloads: | 269 |
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