Photo By Sgt. 1st Class James Wilt | 2nd Lt. Joe S. Gradzewicz, a platoon leader with Company D, 2nd Battalion, 325th...... read more read more
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Pfc. James Wilt
82nd Airborne Division Public Affairs Office
Task Force White Falcon
Nov. 29, 2005
TALL AFAR, Iraq -- Paratroopers from Company D, 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, have begun conducting classes to teach Iraqi soldiers the basics of route clearing.
The classes are being taught in an effort by the U.S. Army to protect the people of Iraq and members of the Iraqi army from improvised explosive devices.
IED's are the greatest threat to the Iraqi Army, said Cpt. Joe Blanton, commander of Co. D and a native of Spartanburg, S.C.
The classes give the Iraqi Security Forces the U.S. Army's knowledge and experience in dealing with IED's, Blanton said.
Focusing on tactics used by the "White Falcons," Blanton with the aid of 2nd Lt. Joe S. Gradzewicz and 1st Lt. Ruben Burgos, both platoon leaders in Delta Company, instruct their new students in the ways of IED hunting.
The 325th AIR has found over 20 IED's since arriving here in September.
Sitting in a makeshift classroom, 14 Iraqi soldiers viewed a presentation while listening to the officers.
Instruction was given on several topics to include mounted and dismounted operations.
As the newfound teachers rotated through the class, they discussed intelligence, communications and training.
Slides containing pictures of IED's the unit has found were shown to the students to educate them on various techniques used by insurgents to hide them.
They were also told how the paratroopers had found the bombs.
After concluding the classroom portion of the training event, the Iraqi soldiers moved into the courtyard of their compound to practice mounting and dismounting vehicles under the watchful eyes of their instructors.
Throughout several iterations of the drill, the soldiers were given tips on how to properly conduct combat movements during a route clearance.
Hands on training will be the next step for the Iraqi soldiers.
Blanton said the class would conduct joint patrols with his company to continue their education.
| Date Taken: | 12.09.2005 |
| Date Posted: | 12.09.2005 12:15 |
| Story ID: | 4012 |
| Location: | TAL AFAR, IQ |
| Web Views: | 260 |
| Downloads: | 128 |
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