Iraqi army participates in tank gunnery

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Brent Hunt | A Russian-made T-72 Main Battle Tank from the 2nd Mechanized Battalion, 2nd Tank Brigade, 9th Iraqi Army Division, prepares to fire Feb. 21 here during a tank gunnery. Iraqi soldiers went through two months of training to become qualified tankers prior to completing the gunnery. (U.S. Army photo/Staff Sgt. Brent Hunt)  

CAMP BUTLER, IRAQ

02.26.2006

Courtesy Story

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By Staff Sgt. Brent Hunt
1st BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.

CAMP BUTLER, Iraq - Iraqi soldiers of the 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Tank Brigade, 9th Iraqi Army Division, conducted a tank gunner range here Feb. 16-21.

The range served to certify the tankers on T-72 Main Battle Tank, who fired 125mm rounds with pinpoint precision on a designated target a mile away.

As the rounds exploded, "We have been in training for two months to become a tanker in the new Iraqi army," said Ramn Abis, an Iraqi tanker who recently qualified on the T-72 to help his country fight against terrorists. "After this, we have a duty to go down to the units and catch terrorists."

The tanker school taught Iraqi soldiers a variety of skills, such as communications, driving the tanks, shooting the T-72's arsenal of weapons and how to deal with terrorists. The course was two months long and concluded with the tank gunnery exercise. The class was taught by the 2nd Tank. Bn., Military Transition Team, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.

"These guys are great, and there are a lot of young ones who are really trying hard," said Maj. Scott Davis, Military Transition Team. "We are here grading them to see how they do. These guys are really proud of these tanks."

The 1st BCT is working closely with soldiers of the 9th IA Div. to teach, coach and mentor them. The Taji-based Iraqi division is composed of three heavy tank brigades, each consisting of almost 4,000 soldiers.

Two of the brigades are already patrolling the area, fighting the terrorists and detaining suspected criminals either by themselves or with some American support. The third brigade is scheduled to be fully operational in the next couple of months after Iraqi cadets complete basic training to fill its ranks.

The goal of the 1st BCT is to have the 9th IA Div. fully functional and taking control of the 1st BCT battle space. To accomplish this goal, the Iraqis are taking the lead in every operation. In addition, military transition teams are assigned to work hand-in-hand with the Iraqis to mentor key leaders within the Iraqi command group staff.

Iraqi tanker school is just another example of military transition teams teaching the soldiers of the Iraqi army to better themselves so they can defend themselves.

"I have done this for years, so it was easy for me," said Abis, who has been a tanker for 32 years. "We have the same technology today. But before, we didn't have the same clear orders. Now we practice and we go to school a lot. We are much better than we were in the past."

• Date Taken: 02.26.2006
• Date Posted: 02.26.2006 09:15
• Story ID: 5513
• Location: CAMP BUTLER, IQ