PAKTYA PROVINCE, Afghanistan – 3d Cavalry Regiment mortarmen advised and assisted the Afghan Nation Security Forces by teaching mortar skills to 203rd Corps’ mortarmen Aug. 27, 2014, during “train the the trainer” classes so the ANSF can ultimately teach classes themselves to future generations of their own mortarmen.
U.S. Army Spc. Jake Miller, who serves in Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1st “Tiger” Squadron, 3d Cav. Regt., conducted the bulk of the hands-on mortar class that gave the ANA soldiers hands-on experience with the weapons system. They spent two hours taking turns positioning, aligning and checking the weapon.
Although the Afghan National Army has artillery “master gunners” who train their own soldiers, they still do not have enough soldiers trained on mortar systems. The added capability will allow the ANA to be more “self reliant,” said Miller.
“The bulk of the men in the training are picking up the skills quickly,” said Miller, of Harvast, Alabama. “A few of them where picked by the Thunder Corps command including Karimi because he is proficient in mortar skills and only needs to improve his speed of setting up the system.”
Afghan Army Master Sgt. Said Ruhallah Karimi, of the 203rd Corps said it’s this type of training that will keep their soldiers alive and will become more important in the future of their nation’s security. Karimi will run the Afghan mortar training when NATO forces leave. He and the rest of the class will be qualified as a master gunner upon its conclusion.
The M224 mortar system is a weapon that can precisely and quickly deliver a high explosive round at great distances. The gun fires indirectly, over obstacles or in front of friendly units. With forward observers, mortars are able to precisely engage enemy locations.
“We are progressing in our training across the ANA,” Karimi said. “We are fighting everyday to protect Afghanistan and are ready for when the Americans leave.”