Photo By Sgt. David Hodge | Capt. James Silverstrim, commander, Company C, 4th Support Battalion, 1st Brigade...... read more read more
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By Spc. David Hodge
1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division
FORWARD OPERATING BASE FALCON, Iraq – Soldiers from the 4th Support Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, know that the key to success in Iraq lies within well-trained Iraqi security forces.
The 4th Spt. Bn. Soldiers take great pride in their duties of training the national police in some of the areas necessary for self-sustainment.
"I really enjoy teaching the Iraqi police because they are always really motivated," said Spc. Vicente Ayala, a medic assigned to Company C, 4th Spt. Bn. "I believe the best way to get the Iraqi people on their feet is to teach them."
The "Packhorse" Soldiers conduct convoys to different Joint Security Stations to train Iraqi policemen, referred to by the locals as shurtas. Soldiers currently provide blocks of instruction in three areas: basic medic course, weaponry and mechanical maintenance.
"I really believe in this mission – down to my very bones," said Ayala, who hails from San Antonio. "Deep down in my heart, it's what I want to do."
The Iraqi policemen have not yet developed a reliable supply and parts system, said 2nd Lt. Gabby Canceran, executive officer, Company B, 4th Spt. Bn.
"It is our goal to make them able to get supplies and parts in a quick manner," said Canceran, a Chicago native.
Warrant Officer Juan Sala, a battalion maintenance officer with Co. B, is Canceran's lead instructor. His mission is to teach a different maintenance topic each week with the help of two fellow Soldiers.
"Today, our mission was to get the police trained on the principals of braking systems for their different vehicles," said Sala, who hails from Corpus Christi, Texas. "If they are familiar with the systems, it will improve the mechanics productivity.
"With this training, we are trying to set up a maintenance program for the police so they can maintain themselves efficiently."
To accomplish this, Sala and his team must ensure the police are able to sustain a functional motor pool.
Among the areas Sala frequently checks are that parts are ordered, the evacuation of inoperable vehicles to proper places, dispatching procedures and key control.
This training is something the ISF can build upon until they can start running their own systems, said Sala. Then they will gain confidence in themselves to continue the mission.
The policemen, with aid from MND-B Soldiers, continue to accomplish their mission in Iraq by providing a safe and secure environment for the 1.2 million residents of southern Baghdad.
| Date Taken: | 04.17.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 04.17.2008 10:33 |
| Story ID: | 18511 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 331 |
| Downloads: | 288 |
This work, Packhorse Soldiers train NPs for future self-sustainment, by SGT David Hodge, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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