Iraqi army receives step-by-step instruction at Cedar

Courtesy Photo | Sgt. Lorenzo Luna, assigned to 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, instructs troops from the 3rd Battalion, 40th Iraqi Army Brigade on how to enter and clear a room during a three-day training exercise on Forward Operating Base Cedar, Iraq, recently.  

FORWARD OPERATING BASE CEDAR, IRAQ

04.02.2009

Courtesy Story

4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs

FORWARD OPERATING BASE CEDAR, Iraq – Soldiers assigned to 3rd Battalion, 40th Iraqi Army Brigade received three days of intense training by instructors from 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division here recently.

The Iraqis were trained on various tactical formations, including entering and clearing a room and sensitive site exploitation. The training was followed by a practical exercise in which the IA Soldiers executed those scenarios.

"I am very impressed with all the classes my men have received from the American Army," said 2nd Lt. Mohammed, an Iraqi army platoon leader. "I think that the sensitive site exploitation class was the most valuable training my platoon received because up until now we had no training involving [that]."

"The Iraqi soldiers learned a lot in a short amount of time," said Sgt. 1st Class Benito Flores, a 2nd Bn. 'Thunder Horse' platoon sergeant. "The best way for them to learn is to teach each other, and to continue to conduct the training as many times as it takes for everyone to know every man's job on their team."

Command Sgt. Maj. James Redmore, Multi-National Division-South's senior enlisted leader, was present for the training. Redmore said he was very impressed with the joint training the Thunder Horse troops were conducting and emphasized how important it is to strengthen the American-Iraqi partnership for the future of Iraq and its people.

The Thunder Horse Battalion will continue to train the Iraqi army during the next two months and set up future training with the Iraqi police.

• Date Taken: 04.02.2009
• Date Posted: 04.02.2009 03:22
• Story ID: 31895
• Location: FORWARD OPERATING BASE CEDAR, IQ