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FORWARD OPERATING BASE SHANK, Afghanistan – The gray sky gave notice of rain showers, setting the wet and cold training conditions for 10 Afghan National Army soldiers who rode out to a firing range here, April 22, to conduct marksmanship training.
The ANA soldiers arrived at the firing range, accompanied by their U.S. Army counterparts, eager to start training as they quickly put on their protective gear and listened attentively to the range instructions given by U.S. Army Capt. Nicholas Cherry, the commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4-3 Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division.
Many of the ANA soldiers were firing for the first time since basic training, but had trained on rifle marksmanship fundamentals two weeks ago.
Marksmanship training like this will help the ANA soldiers protect themselves and the Afghan people, while helping to prevent civilian injuries.
U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Lucas Worthy, a native of Stuart, Fla., and a military policeman with HHC, 4-3 BSTB, said the ANA soldiers quickly became proficient with the washer drill and “now we are going to test their eye sight.”
Worthy added the training would help them be more accurate by improving their target acquisition.
Cherry, a Duluth, Ga., native, is partnered with the ANA commander for the Security Toli of the Garrison Support Unit for Camp Maiwand, Afghanistan.
“One of the things he [the ANA commander] requested was to conduct marksmanship training with his soldiers, so we were able to facilitate that utilizing our range,” Cherry said.
As the light rain began, the ANA firers took their positions and chambered a round into their M16 rifles. U.S. soldiers with 4th IBCT stood behind them to coach and advise, as the ANA fired their first three rounds into the paper targets.
After their first three rounds, all the weapons were cleared and the firers and advisers moved to check their targets. The ANA commander, along with the other U.S. advisers, showed the ANA soldiers their shot groups and what adjustments would need to be made for them to hit the center of the target.
Everyone moved back behind the firing line and made adjustments to their weapons and firing positions, before shooting again.
Soldiers shot from three positions. They shot lying on the ground, known as the prone position, from the knee and then standing. The firing rotation continued until every ANA soldier fired.
U.S. Army 1st Lt. Adam Steveley, a platoon leader with HHC, 4-3 BSTB, said the marksmanship training would help the ANA increase their security at the entry control points and while on patrols.
“The biggest thing it does for us is, it builds our relationship before we go out on a partnered patrol,” the Cincinnati, Ohio, native said.
Soldiers from HHC, 4-3 BSTB, and the Security Toli have been training together since the Vanguard Brigade arrived here. ANA soldier Noorullah, with the Security Toli, said he was happy to be working with the U.S. soldiers, and the marksmanship training would improve their accuracy and help provide better security for Afghans and their camp.
| Date Taken: | 04.22.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 04.29.2013 03:08 |
| Story ID: | 105990 |
| Location: | FORWARD OPERATING BASE SHANK, AF |
| Hometown: | CINCINNATI, OH, US |
| Hometown: | DULUTH, GA, US |
| Hometown: | STUART, FL, US |
| Web Views: | 198 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Afghan soldiers zero in on rifle marksmanship to improve security, by SFC Elvis Umanzor, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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