Courtesy Photo | Iraqi Army soldier fires his new rifle during a train-the-trainer M-16 range at Camp...... read more read more
By Capt. Joshua Hunter
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 was asked by the 40th Bde. 10th IA Division to train their troops on the M-16 rifle. The company’s 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, headquarters platoon leader and 40th IA advisor from Warner Robins, Ga., serving with the 1st Bn., 68th Armor Reg.
Company A coordinated through the 10th IA Div. to set up Iraqi training with the IA Regional Training Center on Camp Ur. The brigade sent 36 soldiers to participate in a week-long marksmanship course.
After the initial training, the most prepared IA soldiers were selected from across the brigade 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, a platoon sergeant from Philadelphia.
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 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, company intelligence noncommissioned officer-in-charge from Pittsburgh.
According to Spc. Mark Sepulveda, a team leader from Los Angeles, 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, attached to the 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div., will continue to partner with the 40th IA Brigade for another train-the-trainer course that will give them more opportunities to take charge and practice giving marksmanship classes to their peers. This will be key to prepare them to teach their subordinates 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,” Buggey said.
| Date Taken: | 06.20.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 07.14.2010 09:01 |
| Story ID: | 52811 |
| Location: | NASIRIYAH, IQ |
| Web Views: | 106 |
| Downloads: | 84 |
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