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BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan — Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, are improving the Afghan national army's ability to respond to enemy activities through various joint training exercises at Combat Outpost Pegasus.
Delta Company Soldiers are training local ANA soldiers on basic infantry tactics, including basic rifle marksmanship, first aid, building clearing and how to react to enemy contact.
"I requested this training because it's good for the soldiers. Many forget some of the skills because they don't have the opportunity to train that often," said Afghan army Capt. Abul Salami, a company commander from 1st Battalion, 1st Brigade, 205th Corps.
Most of the soldiers have received about five months of training prior to the basic rifleman marksmanship class, but for some it was their first training experience.
"Many of them displayed infantryman skills, such as a good sight picture and sight alignment – essential keys to being a skilled marksman," said Army Staff Sgt. Jeffery Adams, a platoon sergeant from Waterloo, Ala.
Today's training was more than improving our allies' infantry skills. It was about the next step for the Afghan military, he added.
"We give them the initial training and teach their NCOs and leaders how to do it," Adams said. "Eventually they will be able to train themselves without having to be guided by us."
The overall goal for the training is so the ANA soldiers won't need the assistance of U.S. forces.
"It's the end state. We are training the ANA so they can defend themselves and [be able to handle enemy activities better]," said Army 1st Lt. David Ochs, of Charlottesville, Va. "We are training them to replace us."
Though the construction on their post hasn't begun yet, the ANA remain motivated and willing to receive the advanced training.
"These guys are extremely motivated and live in harsh conditions – worse than our Soldiers. The least we can do is give them some good training and help them be at a better state of readiness," said Army Capt. Michael Soyka, D Co. commander from Cleveland, Ohio. "Training of the ANA is the most important mission we have out here. It gets them ready to take our job and let this country stand on its own."
| Date Taken: | 02.22.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 02.22.2009 08:13 |
| Story ID: | 30291 |
| Location: | BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF |
| Web Views: | 606 |
| Downloads: | 582 |
This work, 2-2 trains Afghan National Army soldiers for mission readiness, by CMSgt Jill LaVoie, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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