Cav. Soldiers train overnight with Department of Border Enforcement

Photo By Maj. Alan Brown | Pfc. Cody Vance of Elkhart, Ind., cavalry scout, Troop B, 4th Sqadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd AAB helps some soldiers of 4th Company, 2nd Battalion, 9th Brigade, 4th Region, Department of Border Enforcement with their basic weapons marksmanship, Nov. 4.  

BASRA PROVINCE, IRAQ

11.04.2010

Courtesy Story

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

By Staff Sgt. Christopher Naylor

BASRA PROVINCE, Iraq – Stalker Platoon, Troop B, 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Advise and Assist, 4th Infantry Division conducted overnight, partnered training, Nov. 4, with 4th Company, 2nd Battalion, 9th Brigade, 4th Region, Department of Border Enforcement as part of its train, advise and assist mission.

Platoon leader, 1st Lt. John Nikiforakis, of West Swanzey, N.H., Troop B, 4th Sqdn., 10th Cav. Reg., 3rd AAB, met Capt. Hussein, commander, 4th Company, and offered training on basic medical skills, basic rifle marksmanship, and creating range cards. Eager to learn, Hussein had his entire company attend the classes.

Spc. Jared Diaz, a medic from Austin, Texas, led the first class on basic medical skills. Diaz instructed the DBE troops on assessing a casualty, performing buddy aid, executing nonstandard evacuation methods, and CPR.

“The DBE enjoyed the medical classes we provided them, because the skills we taught might someday save lives,” said Diaz.

Sgt. Davtavius Parks, from Atlanta, Ga., taught the DBE the fundamentals of marksmanship, including proper aim and trigger squeezing. Parks then conducted hands-on drills, which allowed the Iraqis to dry-fire their weapons to practice the fundamentals that they had learned.

“Working with the Department of Border Enforcement on weapons training always raises the motivation of the group. Sometimes we have to tailor our training doctrine to fit their needs, but in the end, all [the DBE troops] walk away with a better understanding of weapons handling and safety,” said Parks.

The final block of instruction, led by Sgt. Carlous Murray, a cavalry scout from Columbus, Miss., focused on creating range cards, a technique critical to properly manning a guard position.
“These range cards can be used by our guards while they defend our company headquarters. Combined with the weapons class, we are more prepared than ever to defend ourselves and our country,” said Amir Hassan, the non-commissioned officer in charge of 4th Company.

That night, Parks led the DBE on establishing two observation posts on the roof of the 4th Company headquarters. Both Stalker and DBE troopers manned both observation posts, shoulder-to shoulder, until sunlight the following morning.

Parks explained how these observation posts are important in training the DBE to interdict lethal aid.
“By teaching the Department of Border Enforcement to utilize their rooftop as an observation post, they can better use the terrain they own to their advantage,” he said.

Seeing the Iraqis satisfied with the training opportunity, Nikiforakis said, “There is no doubt in my mind that the combined operations conducted with the Department of Border Enforcement will have a lasting impression.”

• Date Taken: 11.04.2010
• Date Posted: 11.19.2010 08:21
• Story ID: 60474
• Location: BASRA PROVINCE, IQ