ARGHANDAB, Afghanistan – Soldiers with Company A, 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, instructed soldiers from Weapons Platoon, 3rd Company, of the Afghan National Army at the range to get them acquainted with the M249 and M240 machine guns, Sept 21.
“We did an overview class earlier this week on assembly and disassembly of the M249 and 240,” said Staff Sgt. Ryan Cooney, a senior squad leader with Company A. “We showed them where they need to place [the weapons] in their formations and the best ways to use the weapon’s systems.”
The ANA who attended the training are all non-commissioned officers who are in charge of teams, squads or platoons.
“We are training their NCO corps so they can train their soldiers later on,” Cooney said.
The range allowed ANA to gain experience in firing both the M249 and M240.
“This training is helping us a lot, and I’m getting confidence on this so I can fight against the enemy,” said Afghan Sgt. 1st Class Abdul Nasier, platoon sergeant.
“We are trying to make sure the ANA are proficient with the weapons systems,” Cooney said.
“If we continuously train, it is very good for the soldiers because that way they are going to be more confident in their shooting, and they can fight better against the enemy and for the missions they are going on,” said Afghan 2nd Lt. Sadat Masroor, the platoon leader.