‘Saber’ Squadron soldiers conduct map reading course with Iraqi partners

Courtesy Photo | First Lt. Aaron Guaderrama, top right, a platoon leader with B Troop, 6th “Saber” Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, United States Division–Center, explains an aspect of map reading to a member of the 1st Mechanized Brigade, 4th Iraqi Federal Police Division as a part of a map reading course at Camp Liberty, Iraq, April 26, 2011. The training is part of the Saber Squadron’s efforts to increase the capabilities of the 1st Mechanized Brigade, with whom they are currently partnered. (Photo by: 2nd Lt. Jefferson Kramer)  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

04.24.2011

Courtesy Story

2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division Public Affairs

By: 2nd Lt. Jefferson Kramer

BAGHDAD — The 6th “Saber” Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, United States Division – Center recently partnered with the 1st Mechanized Brigade, 4th Iraqi Federal Police Division, and supported their new counterparts with a course on map reading held at Camp Liberty, Iraq, in an effort to increase cooperation and aid through partnership training.

The course, covering basic map reading and plotting, was taught to key leaders from the 1st Mechanized Brigade, 4th IFP. These leaders will in turn train subordinates, increasing the overall capability of the 1st Mechanized Brigade, which will allow the unit to better navigate and conduct operations.

“We’ve already built a good relationship with 1st Mechanized Brigade, and this training only acts to strengthen that cooperation,” said 1st Lt. Aaron Guaderrama, a platoon leader with B Troop, 6th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, and a San Diego native. “We hope to do what we can to increase the expertise of an already highly competent unit.”

For some, map reading can be a difficult subject to learn and teach due to different variables that make up the map, however the 4th IFP Division students quickly understood the material, assisted each other and asked questions to further their understanding.

“It was nice to train in something [the 1st Mechanized Brigade) wanted and the soldiers were attentive to,” said Staff Sgt. Jason Beaudre, the course’s primary trainer and a platoon sergeant with B Troop, 6th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, and a Columbia, S.C., native.

Through methods such as “train-the-trainer,” whereby the police officers the cavalry soldiers train then move on to train more within their force, it has been possible for Saber Squadron to further the training of its partner units.

“With this training, they are better prepared when we are not around to help them,” said Staff Sgt. Jose Rosa, with 2nd Platoon, B Troop, 6th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment and a Bayamon, Puerto Rico, native.

• Date Taken: 04.24.2011
• Date Posted: 05.01.2011 01:31
• Story ID: 69638
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ