MOUT: Marines train Iraqi soldiers for urban terrain

Photo By Staff Sgt. Tony Simmons | U.S. Marines and coalition forces with Task Force Al Asad teach Iraqi soldiers how to enter rooms using tape houses during Military Operations on Urban Terrain training aboard Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, Feb. 14-16, 2015. The three-day training period utilized different MOUT facilities in order to teach Iraqi soldiers basic room clearing techniques, how to move across linear danger areas as a squad, and the proper way to maneuver through a building in fire teams. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tony Simmons/RELEASED)  

AL ASAD AIR BASE, IRAQ

02.14.2015

Story by Cpl. Tony Simmons 

Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade

AL ASAD, Iraq - U.S. Marines and coalition forces with Task Force Al Asad, trained Iraqi soldiers in Military Operations on Urban Terrain aboard Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, Feb. 14-16, 2015.

Coalition forces taught Iraqi soldiers how to clear rooms and hallways, cross danger areas, and conduct fire team and squad-sized maneuvers through urban spaces.

Coalition members worked with the Iraqi squad leaders first until they had a solid understanding of the techniques. The squad leaders then instructed their junior soldiers as coalition forces oversaw the training.

“We start out teaching them clearing corners, watching their sectors of fire and to never go into a room alone by using tape houses,” said U.S. Marine 1st Lt. Christopher Solop, a platoon commander with Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Central Command.

Marines and Danish soldiers made the “tape houses” by hammering large metal stakes into the ground then wrapping them with white engineer tape to create rooms and hallways for the Iraqis to train in.

The training started with a basic, three-man fire team and increased in size to five-man teams as the soldiers began to understand the concept.

“This is important for them because MOUT is a dangerous situation to be in,” said Solop. “It’s good to teach them and the squad leaders the basics on what to do so they will have something to fall back on if put in this situation.”

During the second day of training, coalition forces took the soldiers to a different facility where Iraqi soldiers learned to navigate different kinds of rooms, hallways and stairs.

“The overall goal of the training is to teach them squad tactics in [many] environments so the unit will be successful later on,” said U.S. Marine Cpl. Joseph N. Hawley, a squad leader with SPMAGTF-CR-CC.

The final part of MOUT training challenged the Iraqi soldiers to clear large buildings and cross danger areas while working as a team.

“On the third day we go to a new facility where they are able to use everything from the first two days,” said Solop. “They have to clear rooms, cross linear danger areas, go up stairwells and maneuver as a squad.”

Task Force Al Asad continues to support the mission by preparing Iraqi soldiers for future operations through defense and ambush, range, counter-improvised explosive device, and MOUT training.

• Date Taken: 02.14.2015
• Date Posted: 03.03.2015 07:40
• Story ID: 155764
• Location: AL ASAD AIR BASE, IQ