Attack Company trains 40th IA BDE on M16

Courtesy Photo | Iraqi army soldier fires his new rifle during a train-the-trainer M-16 range at Camp Ur, Iraq. The course was a six-day block of instruction on marksmanship, technical details, and range procedures June 5. (Army Photo 1st Lt. Josh Woodke)  

NASIRIYAH, IRAQ

06.20.2010

Courtesy Story

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

by Capt. Joshua Hunter, 1st Bn., 68th Armor Reg., 4th Inf. Div.

NASIRIYAH, Iraq – The soldiers of Company A, 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, have been working to improve the 40th Iraqi Army Brigade’s capabilities by conducting an M-16 instructor course June 20.

In March, “Attack” Company, which falls under the operational control of 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div., was asked by the 40th Brigade, 10th IA Division to train their Brigade on the M-16 rifle. The Attack command group took on the task, but took a different approach to assisting the Iraqi army.

“Since 3rd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division is an advise and assist brigade, we are trying to separate ourselves from training the Iraqis to making the Iraqis use their own systems and to develop continuity within their organization,” said 1st Lt. Mario Ponsell, of Warner Robins, Ga., headquarters platoon leader and 40th IA advisor, 1st Bn., 68th Armor Reg.

As a result, Attack Company coordinated through the 10th IA Division to setup Iraqi training with the Iraqi Army Regional Training Center located on Camp Ur. The 40th IA Brigade sent 36 soldiers to participate in a week-long basic rifle marksmanship course.

Following the basic rifle marksmanship training, the most prepared IA soldiers were selected from across the brigade after hands on examination with the M-16, to go through the instructor course.
“The train the trainer course is a six-day block of instruction on marksmanship, technical details, and range procedures,” said Sgt. 1st Class Chad Buggey, platoon sergeant, of Philadelphia, Pa.

The first four days were spent in the classroom reiterating the four fundamentals, how to group and zero the weapon, and how to run a range. The last two days were spent on the range giving the IA soldiers a more in-depth opportunity to understand the weapon system as well as various firing techniques.

“The first day on the range, the IA soldiers jumped up and took charge. They set up targets, managed the ammunition point, and conducted ready line preparation and rehearsals of what happens the moment they hit the ready line,” said Cpl. David Ruhl, from Pittsburgh, Pa., company intelligence non-commissioned officer in charge.

According to Spc. Mark Sepulveda, team leader, from Los Angeles, Calif., the Iraqi soldiers picked up on the new weapons techniques and range procedures very quickly.

“The IA soldiers were completely running the range by the second range day. We were acting only as safeties on the range,” he said.

Attack Company will continue to partner with the 40th IA Brigade for another train-the-trainer course that will give them more opportunity to take charge and practice giving the basic rifle marksmanship classes to their peers. This will be an essential element to prepare them to teach their subordinates at their respective battalions when they return.

“The IA’s willingness to learn and take charge of the training is a great credit on how far they have developed over the years,” said Buggey.

• Date Taken: 06.20.2010
• Date Posted: 07.12.2010 05:57
• Story ID: 52694
• Location: NASIRIYAH, IQ