Men bond over weapons

Photo By Spc. Jessica Luhrs-Stabile | Soldiers of 2nd Platoon, Bravo Company 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, run with their Meghdad Iraqi police partners, in order to perform stress training at the range Dec. 29, near Kirkuk, Iraq.  

KIRKUK, IRAQ

12.29.2009

Story by Pfc. Jessica Luhrs-Stabile 

1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division

FORWARD OPERATING BASE WARRIOR, KIRKUK, Iraq - The Soldiers from 2nd Platoon, Company B, 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, "Barbarians" and the police officers of the Meghdad Iraqi police station, taught each other how to use and perform basic functions to their weapons at a range Dec. 29 for training on weapons systems.

The Meghdad IP and Soldiers received training on disassembling and assembling of the IP's Avtomat Kalashnikova 47 (AK-47) and the Barbarians M4 and how to also shoot each other's weapons; safely and efficiently, according to Pfc. Mason Casper, a native of Portland, Ore., and a infantryman with the Barbarians.

"I'm glad we have this opportunity to train our Meghdad IP partners on the use of these different weapons systems," said 1st Lt. Gavin Shnieder, a native of Milton, Wash., and the 2nd platoon leader with Co. B "Not only did we successfully complete the training we were able to bond as partners."

"I think this training shows we work together with uniformity, we know their weapons, they know ours," said Spc. Jason Myers, a native of Anderson, Ind., and an infantryman with the Barbarians.

The Barbarians were all very impressed the Meghdad IP put together an efficient and safe range, said 1st Lt. Shnieder. It shows how quickly they are already making progress.

This progress can be attributed to the partnership with the U.S. forces and the training the Meghdad IP do every day, according to 1st Lt. Ali Adnan, the training officer for the Meghdad IP.

Every day the Meghdad IP receive training in either first aid, arrest techniques, weapon techniques, human rights, maintenance of weapons and 30 others, according to 1st Lt. Ali.

The training is part of a much broader cooperation between Iraqi Security Forces and U.S. forces.

This training today has truly benefited the Meghdad IP, we have all learned so much from the training today and are looking forward to continuing this partnership with the U.S. forces, said 1st Lt. Ali Adnan.

• Date Taken: 12.29.2009
• Date Posted: 01.03.2010 15:18
• Story ID: 43415
• Location: KIRKUK, IQ