FOB KALSU, Iraq " Soldiers from Company B, 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, trained Iraqi soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 4th Brigade, 8th Iraqi Army Division, in basic Soldier skills.
"The training was a weeklong mission for each company in its battalion," said Capt. Colin Brooks, commander, Co. B, 2-8 Inf. Regt. "They will rotate companies each week; another company going through the training will be taught by Iraqi soldiers who took the training in the previous weeks."
One of the skills taught in the training involves clearing rooms. Soldiers from 2-8 Inf. constructed "rooms," lining designated areas with engineering tape, so Iraqi soldiers could simulate entering and clearing them.
"This part of the training is teaching the IA soldiers techniques when entering and clearing rooms," said Staff Sgt. Steven Pena, infantryman, Co. B, 2-8 Inf. Regt. "We want them to understand that to clear a room, you have to do it as a team. We are trying to teach them that communication between the team members is vital."
During the training, the Soldiers of 2-8 Inf. Regt. conducted physical training with Iraqi soldiers, which included several two-and-a-half-mile runs around the perimeter of Kalsu while carrying litters and water jugs.
"The purpose of the physical training is to push them past their physical threshold and increase their mental toughness," said Brooks.
Iraqi soldiers waited patiently for their chance to train with the American Soldiers during the reflexive fire portion of the training. This training taught Iraqi soldiers the proper stance for firing weapons at close-range and trigger discipline to decrease the chances of accidentally firing a weapon without intent.
"When I see the American Soldiers training us, I feel more confident in my ability to fight terrorists," said Pvt. Muhammed, 2nd Bn., 4th Bde., 8th IAD.
"This training is a good opportunity to improve our abilities to fight," said Capt. Majed, commander, 2nd Bn., 4th Bde., 8th IAD. "It is also a good opportunity to learn what helps the American Army defeat terrorists successfully. My sergeants are learning more and more from the American sergeants."
"The main goal of this training is for the IA soldiers to become proficient in these critical tasks so they can provide their own security in the future," concluded Brooks