"We've Been Doing Army Training – Sir - Army Training"

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Jorge Saucedo | Sailors check the top of a hill during convey training on Udari Range in Kuwait on Feb. 27, 2009. The sailors participated in a two day course before deploying to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.  

CAMP ARIFJAN, KUWAIT

04.01.2009

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jorge Saucedo 

Media Transition Team - Kuwait

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait - In recent months the Air Force and Navy have expanded their ongoing ground missions in the global war on terrorism. Both branches have sent thousands of airman and sailors on Individual Augmentee missions to fill what were traditionally thought of as Army jobs.

In most instances they are deployed to Horn of Africa, Iraq and Afghanistan. Unlike many Army units, IA's come from different commands and form a unit with strangers at their ultimate deployment station. The Navy's deployments range from six to 15 months and can be assigned to anyone capable of fulfilling the rank and training requirements. Likewise, IA positions can be filled by active or reserve members. Most IAs seek out and volunteer for their Assignments. Why? Typically, they enjoy the chance to experience different missions they never thought they would when they joined the Military.

I recently spent two days shadowing a group approximately of IA sailors who are deploying to different forward operating bases in Afghanistan but trained together. The group comprised of many different rates and experiences ranging from storekeepers to Seabees. Some came with multiple tours to either Iraq or Afghanistan others had never deployed before.

Prior to arriving in Kuwait, the group spent three weeks at Fort Jackson, South Carolina completing the Army's Basic Combat Training course Army instructors showed them the basics about M16/M9 marksmanship and cleaning of the weapon as well as improvised explosive devices training for convoys. After Fort Jackson the group spent a couple of days in Kuwait where they received two days of training before finally enter Afghanistan. Mission required more in depth exposure to tactical training. The group was dispersed to Udari Range for the follow up training; the range was controlled and instructed by MPRI.

The first day consisted of close quarters marksmanship with the M9, M16 and M4 to get them used to shooting the right way as to not flagging a comrade. This course consisted of the correct way to draw your weapon, to fire and to prevent a miss fire from occurring. Sadly, misfires account for many of the total injuries and deaths in a combat zone. The repetition drills are designed to create muscle memory or natural reaction to take away from else thing to worry about on the battle field.

The second day consisted of convoy training with Humvees. The training starts from zero with classroom instructions on convoy formation tactics and familiarization on convoy and counteracting improvised explosive devices various types of IED's, how they are used and how they are concealed are also discussed. Once completed the practical training begins. Teams consist of five members a driver, vehicle commander, two passengers and a gunner for the turret are assigned.

From there they practiced drills on spotting IED's, suspicious activity, security and downed vehicles. According to Commander Kenneth Mays "the training that we have received was key for us to have a basic understanding of how the Army works and how we can support them." They spent a couple of hours going over scenarios before actually going through the convoy course. When all was said and done the MPRI instructors went over what the sailors and airmen did well on and what to watch out for.

For the Navy, this is a new experience instead of the traditional at sea scene you always expect but are excepting the calling to help its Army brother and sister counterparts. Every branch is doing their part to help out against the war on terrorism. From now on you can't just look at the Navy as just riding around in ships but now as members of ground units.

• Date Taken: 04.01.2009
• Date Posted: 04.01.2009 05:38
• Story ID: 31845
• Location: CAMP ARIFJAN, KW