Soldiers helping Iraqi Division build a range close to home

Courtesy Photo | The 14th Iraqi army obstacle course nears completion. The course has various challenges, such as climbing walls, log walks, and the low crawl station shown above. (Photo by Spc. Chase Smith)  

BASRA, IRAQ

11.12.2010

Courtesy Story

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

By 1st Lt. Ryan Foreman

BASRA, Iraq – Iraqi soldiers are building a conventional situational training exercise lane and obstacle course outside the 14th Iraqi Army Division Headquarters in Basra in order to add a new dimension to their training.

With assistance from the U.S. Army Security Transition Team assigned to the 14th IA Division and Company B, 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Advise and Assist Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, the 14th IA recently began construction on the training area and anticipate completion by the end of November.

The situational training lane, known as a STX (“Stix”) lane began as a piece of barren land approximately 300 meters long by 100 meters wide. When finished, the lane will enable small units to train on offensive and defensive operations, something they currently have to travel away from their base to do, said Lt. Col. Christopher Tatka, training advisor with the Security Transition Team.

A separate obstacle course, which is adjacent to the maneuver lane, will give soldiers a chance to work on physical fitness and team building, he added.

Once complete, the obstacle course and STX lane will allow the division staff and commanders to train and evaluate the capabilities of their soldiers and junior leaders.

“This is the first step in getting the 14th Iraqi Army Division to start training in full-spectrum operations outside of the Iraqi Army Training Center,” said Tatka.

Tatka and his team worked with the Iraqi Army to provide insight into properly constructing the training site, but all of the materials, labor and resources were provided by the Iraqi Army, he said.

Currently, 14th IA units must train almost exclusively at the nearby Iraqi Army Training Center, which usually has to be reserved months in advance. The new STX lane will allow Iraqi units to train on a variety of tactics and maneuvers much more frequently than they do now.

“This situational training exercise lane allows them to do the equivalent of home station training like we do at Fort Carson,” said Tatka.

• Date Taken: 11.12.2010
• Date Posted: 11.12.2010 11:32
• Story ID: 60011
• Location: BASRA, IQ