Courtesy Photo | Capt. Travis Pendleton, attached to the 4th Battalion, 42nd Infantry directs the 6th...... read more read more
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By Sgt. Brian Tierce
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division
BAGHDAD – One of the fundamental requirements of Soldiers in the U.S. Army is tactical and technical proficiency. In the Soldiers Creed it states "I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough, trained and proficient in my warrior tasks and drills."
With tactical and technical proficiency in mind, Soldiers of the 6th Iraqi Army Division headed to the range with support from members of Team Weasel, Multi-National Division – Baghdad's Military Training and Transition Team 10599, to conduct a machine gun qualification exercise at the Muthana Airfield Range, Jan. 23, in the Karkh District of northwest Baghdad.
The exercise was an opportunity for the ISF to not only get more familiar with their weapons systems, but it also offered the leadership of the 6th IA Div. a chance to demonstrate their planning capabilities.
"One of the great things about the range was that it was planned by an Iraqi officer and run largely by Iraqi non-commissioned officers," said Capt. Travis Pendelton, a native of Los Angeles, Team Weasel, MITT 10599. "It was good to get the IA Soldiers out to the range for some training."
Once the event was underway the MITT Soldiers began the exercise, serving as observers and controllers for the range.
Before long the Iraqi soldiers showed they could handle the responsibilities and the MITT Soldiers gladly let them take control.
"At the beginning of the exercise MITT members were overseeing the training from the vehicles," said Maj. James Mullin, a native of Scituate, R.I., team chief, MITT 10599. "Once we were convinced that the IA NCO's knew how to do the job, they conducted this aspect of the training with the MITT members observing from the ground."
As the Iraqi army takes the security lead throughout their country, one of the keys to success will be the development of a strong NCO corps.
The range qualification was a prime opportunity for NCO's from the 6th IA Div. to prove they are ready for the added responsibility and that's exactly what they did.
"This was a great opportunity for the NCO's to become more involved with the training and to show their proficiency and demonstrate some leadership as well," said Mullin. "They enjoyed the range and the opportunity to fire off rounds."
At the end of the day 21 Soldiers qualified on their weapons system. A small group of Soldiers had to leave the range for a mission, but were able to participate in familiarization fire before heading out.
For the Soldiers of 'Team Weasel' the event proved that even though they don't have the easiest job in the world they do have a very important and rewarding job.
"Helping the Iraqi army train its Soldiers can be a long and occasionally frustrating process," said Pendelton. "But days like this make it all worthwhile."
| Date Taken: | 01.27.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 01.27.2009 11:20 |
| Story ID: | 29331 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 287 |
| Downloads: | 261 |
This work, Iraqi Security Forces sharpen skills at machine gun range, by SSG Brian Tierce, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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