2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division Public Affairs

Story by Sgt. Rodney Foliente

CAMP ECHO, Iraq – Soldiers from the 8th Iraqi Army Division completed a six-week mortar training course conducted by Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Combined Arms Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment March 24 at the 8th IA Div. headquarters.

The course ended with a competition between IA mortar teams, allowing them to apply their cumulative knowledge during the event.

"The overall training gives them a more immediate capability to hit targets with indirect fire and provide suppression and neutralization," said Sgt. 1st Class Joel Kane, mortar platoon sergeant with HHC. Kane said the mortar teams add a great deal of fire support capabilities to the IA units, leading to an increase in the division's strength and ability.

"We applied some of our techniques and tried to add to their abilities to employ their mortar systems. We've given them advanced map reading courses and gun training drills so they can take their crews and form mortar companies," said the Lenexa, Kan. native, who is on his second deployment to Iraq. "Things have gone very well and I am impressed with their ability to learn. These Soldiers have adapted very well and every day has been a fun experience."

"Overall it is a much more professional system than the last time I was here," Kane continued. "There are some very good non-commissioned officers and officers that show the ability to take the lead away from Coalition forces."

The goal is to allow for a train-the-trainer environment where the 8th IA Soldiers can continue to train their fellow comrades, said Staff Sgt. Nick Schmidt, fire direction center chief with HHC.

"We've had a lot of success with using students from previous classes to act as training assistants, said Schmidt, who comes from Littleton, Colo. "These student- instructors gain more experience to continue training their own Soldiers after we're gone."

The course not only helped with mortar systems, but also with advancing Soldiers' overall skills, such as map reading, said Sgt. Haider, with the 8th IA Div.

His mortar team won the competition, but Haider modestly downplayed taking the lead.

"The goal for this training is to learn and it doesn't matter who won," said Haider. "I think we are all the winners. This training will help us maintain security and defeat those who threaten the peace and lives of innocent Iraqis."

"The coalition forces have given us a great deal of training, now and in the past. We have gained experience and we have become a stronger and greater army for it," the 11-year Iraqi army veteran continued. "It is good for us to work side by side with [CF] because we learn from them and also build friendships. My relationship with U.S. Soldiers has been great and I call many of them friends and brothers."

"I want to remain a Soldier and continue to protect my country, my people and my family. The security in the area has been good and there have been no big issues," Haider said. "I'm confident we will be able to control the security of the country when the coalition forces leave. We have been working hard and have learned much. We are stronger than we ever were and have proven our ability day after day."

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