4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs

Story by Capt. Kevin Wolf

FORWARD OPERATING BASE GARRY OWEN, Iraq – After nearly two months of intense training, 48 Soldiers, from the 38th Iraqi Army Brigade accurately called in a target and fired a 120mm-mortar system, Feb 16.

"The instruction that we received gives us a specialty, something that [most no other Iraqi] Soldiers have training on." said Sgt. Mishal Ghanim, of the 38th IA's mortar battery.

The 38th IA Bde. became one of the first units in southern Iraq to conduct a live fire exercise with Iraqi army mortar crews and forward observers executing indirect fire missions. The Iraqis received assistance from the 2nd Battalion, 7th Calvary Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division 'Long Knives.'

"Things such as map reading and observing indirect fire doubles our combat effectiveness; we are now forward observers and are of much greater use to our unit," said Pvt. Ali Shani, assigned to the 38th IA Bde.

His unit's training with the Long Knife Soldiers consisted of instruction on map reading, observing and adjusting mortar fire and firing the 120mm mortar system.

The partnership between the 38th Bde. and Long Knife Brigade has continuously strengthened since the American Soldiers first arrived last summer. The Maysan province is becoming more stable every day, thanks in large part to the increasing capabilities of the IA.

After the live-fire exercise, the Multi-National Division - Center Commander, Maj. Gen. Michael Oates, congratulated the Iraqi Soldiers and handed out coins.

"I've said it before, that we're working ourselves out of a job here," said Oates during a brief to the Long Knife Staff. "The question is – Does anyone need to replace you when you leave."

Associated Images

Control Panel