Coalition forces train with foreign weapons

Courtesy Photo | A Spanish paratrooper with Task Force Besmaya fires a Dragunov SVD sniper rifle during a foreign weapons “train the trainer” course at the Besmaya Range Complex, Iraq, Aug. 7, 2015. The training allowed the soldiers to become proficient in a variety of weapons the Iraqi Army uses in order to prepare training for the Iraqi soldiers. Training at the building partner capacity sites is an integral part of Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve’s multinational effort to train Iraqi security force personnel to defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. (DoD photo courtesy of TF Besmaya PAO/Released)  

BESMAYA, IRAQ

08.12.2015

Courtesy Story

Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve     

BESMAYA RANGE COMPLEX, Iraq – Since assuming command of Task Force Besmaya, soldiers with the Spanish Parachutist Brigade have been working to accomplish Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve’s building partner capacity mission.

In order to reach the level of competence needed to train Iraqi soldiers on foreign weapon systems, they need to become familiar with them. The weapons, American and Russian-style assault rifles, each have their unique capabilities. On Aug.7, Portuguese, American and Spanish forces came together to gain a better understanding of the weapons be conducting hands-on training.

The classes followed the “train the trainer” model, allowing those at the course to take what they learned and teach their Iraqi counterparts as part of the BPC mission. Additionally, mobile training teams would be capable of visiting other BPC sites around Iraq to teach classes on the weapons.
Weapons covered in the training included the AK-47 assault rifle, sniper rifles, RPG-7 rocket launcher and the SPG-9 recoilless rifle.

• Date Taken: 08.12.2015
• Date Posted: 08.14.2015 06:55
• Story ID: 173162
• Location: BESMAYA, IQ