Mustang Soldiers show fundamentals are key

Photo By Staff Sgt. John Onuoha | YAVORIV, Ukraine - Soldiers of 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division train Ukrainian Soldiers on trigger squeeze, July 27, 2016. Trigger squeeze is one of the fundamentals of rifle marksmanship. Soldiers of 6-8 Cav are here in support of the Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine. JMTG-U is responsible for training Ukrainian land forces and building a team of Ukrainian cadre who will ultimately assume that responsibility. The training is designed to reinforce defensive skills of the Ukrainian Ground Forces in order to increase their capacity for self-defense. (U.S.Army photo by Spc. John Onuoha / Released)  

YAVORIV, UKRAINE

07.27.2016

Story by Spc. John Onuoha 

2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs

By Spc. John Onuoha, 6-8 Cav., 2IBCT UPAR

YAVORIV, Ukraine - Soldiers of 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd
Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division taught Ukraine Soldiers the fundamentals of marksmanship here July 27.

The Mustangs are here in support of the Joint Multinational Training Group Ukraine. JMTG-U is responsible for training Ukrainian land forces and building a team of Ukrainian cadre who will ultimately assume that responsibility. The training is designed to reinforce defensive skills of the Ukrainian Ground Forces in order to increase their capacity for self-defense.

Today marked the first time the Soldiers of 6-8 CAV got to meet the soldiers of Ukraine’s 1st battalion 93rd Mechanized Brigade. They took the time before training started to introduce themselves and talk about how they intend to conduct training with respect and understanding.

“We met the Ukrainians for the first time and talked to them,” said Sgt. Jemel Pearson, a squad leader with Troop B, 6-8 Cav. “We have to build a good relationship in order to have a great working environment with these Soldiers, and we made it clear that we look forward to building understanding, respecting and teaching them everything they need to be successful in combat as we begin our initial training.”

Basic rifle marksmanship was the first training Mustangs conducted with the
Ukrainians. The training is designed to show them and help them understand the importance of proper firing procedures.

“We conducted basic rifle marksmanship and taught Ukrainians the fundamentals of being a rifleman,” said Pearson. We showed them the four types of fundamentals which are the steady position, aiming, breathing and trigger squeeze. And how to apply those in the ATO (anti-terrorist operation zone) and on the range.”

Pearson said it is important training for Ukrainian Soldiers because they are
infantrymen and it is their job to close with and destroy the enemy. They need to know how to fire and manipulate their weapon system in the most effective way, and how to use anything at their disposal in combat.

Soldiers expressed their thoughts on the first training with the Ukrainians, the relationship and how experienced some of the Ukrainian Soldiers are. They commented on how the 1-93rd soldiers were enthused and willing to learn.

“They are good people and the relationship was really good for our first training,” said Spc. Tavish Reese, a scout with Troop B, 6-8 Cav. “Initially, we had the idea to meet and greet before training, and right away they showed they were ready and motivated to start training. They understood what we taught them and learned a lot from our demonstrations. Some have experience and their new Soldiers are catching up to speed as well.”

According to Pearson, Ukrainians are intelligent and picked up the material easily. He said they were eager to learn how to move, communicate and fight the right way.

“They really want to train and I am really happy to be here to train these Soldiers. I look forward to approaching upcoming training events the best way I can so they can learn everything they need in order to become more efficient and survive in combat.” said Reese.

• Date Taken: 07.27.2016
• Date Posted: 07.30.2016 09:16
• Story ID: 205576
• Location: YAVORIV, UA