47th IA Brigade proves ‘Rock’ strong in mortar training

Photo By Sgt. Kandi Huggins | Staff Sgt. Efren Nila, mortar section leader, who hails from Manassas, Va., serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 1st Advise and Assist Task Force, 1st Infantry Division, assists Cpl. Fahad Lafi and Pvt. Emad Khalaf Hussein, both of Artillery Battery, 47th Brigade, 12th Iraqi Army Division, plotting targets on a map during a mortar training exercise near Contingency Operating Location Gaines Mills, Feb. 20, 2011. U.S. soldiers of 1st AATF, 1st Infantry Division led the training exercise to ensure the Iraqi soldiers are conducting proper safety procedures, maintaining equipment and are fully prepared for an upcoming live-fire exercise, Operation Lion's Leap, a combined joint military operation testing the capabilities of Iraq's military forces. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Alyxandra McChesney, 1st AATF PAO, 1st Inf. Div., USD-N)  

CONTINGENCY OPERATING STATION WARRIOR, IRAQ

02.23.2011

Courtesy Story

1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division

CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE WARRIOR, Iraq – Company C, “Charlie Rock,” 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 1st Advise and Assist Task Force assisted the Artillery Battery, 47th Brigade, 12th Iraqi Army Division, during a mortar training exercise at the 47th Bde. training site near Contingency Operating Location Gaines Mills, Feb. 20, in Kirkuk.

Charlie Rock soldiers led practical demonstrations, providing technical knowledge and the mentorship of experience to Iraqi jinood, Arabic for soldiers, of the 47th IA Bde.

The mortar training is a four-week course consisting of computing firing data, occupying a mortar firing point, properly maintaining and setting up equipment, misfire procedures and quick reaction drills, said Staff Sgt. Efren Nila, mortar section leader, assigned to Company C, 1st Bn., 14th Inf. Reg., 1st AATF.

“Our main mission in this training exercise is to make sure the Iraqi soldiers practice proper safety procedures and use their equipment correctly, with as little of our help as possible,” said Nila, a nine-year infantry mortar specialist from Manassas, Va.

Iraqi jinood are conducting the mortar systems training in preparation for Operation Lion’s Leap, a combined joint military operation, testing the capabilities of Iraq’s military forces.

“We want to ensure they are fully prepared for their upcoming major live-fire exercise,” he explained.

The military training exercise will require the 12th IA Div. to integrate both fires and maneuver assets during the live-fire exercise.

Nila led instruction for several of the 47th IA non-commissioned officers, teaching proper mortar fire procedures to the Iraqi jinood.

The Iraqi corporal in charge of the mortar firing team is prepared and ready to lead the mortar jinood of the 47th IA Bde., because the Iraqi NCO knows the mortar system better than his peers, said Nila.

“This training is going very well, and my soldiers are getting better and better every day,” said Cpl. Fahad LafI, serving with Artillery Battery, 47th Bde., 12th IA Div., who calls Salah ad Din province’s Sharqat City home.

Fahad was selected to assist as an instructor for the four-week training course because of his experience with the 120mm mortar systems.

The jinood are eager to learn, studying their training manuals every night before heading to the training site, said Fahad.

“They are getting better and better every day and I know they cannot wait to use everything they have learned in the upcoming live-fire exercise,” said Fahad.

• Date Taken: 02.23.2011
• Date Posted: 02.25.2011 08:47
• Story ID: 66064
• Location: CONTINGENCY OPERATING STATION WARRIOR, IQ