Photo By Cpl. Jo Jones | Navy corpsmen with Regimental Combat Team 8 demonstrate splint techniques to soldiers...... read more read more
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AL ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq — For more than three weeks, soldiers with the Commando Battalion, 7th Iraqi Army Division, have been fine-tuning their combat skills during a rigorous training course implemented by their commanders and coordinated with the assistance of Military Training Team 7.
While reconnaissance Marines from Regimental Combat Team 8 and Army counter improvised explosive experts have helped hone the commandos' ability to fight and win their nation's battles, Navy corpsmen from RCT-8 recently took the stage to teach the Iraqis how to save lives.
During a medical instruction and practical application training course held aboard Camp Yassir, Iraq, March 4, the Iraqi soldiers learned a few of the basic life-saving skills all soldiers need.
"We are going over basic first aid tips," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael J. Crawford, a corpsman with RCT-8. "We are giving them the tools they need to keep themselves and their fellow soldiers alive."
Periods of instruction included how to stop bleeding through direct pressure, bandaging and the application of tourniquets, checking for and restoring breathing, and immobilizing and splinting broken bones. After the corpsmen explained and demonstrated the medical techniques, the soldiers practiced their new-found skills.
Complicating the classes was the need for interpreters to bridge the language gap between the American corpsmen and their Iraqi students, and although the interpretation lengthened the classes, the Iraqis' thirst for knowledge and the sailors' passion for teaching helped overcome the language barrier.
"The training added to our experiences," said Iraqi army Cpl. Gassem Mohamed al-Masaudi, a platoon sergeant with Commando Battalion, 7th IA Division. "It was useful for the soldiers to learn from [the training]."
As with all the skills taught during the month-long commando course, it is expected that the students attending the classes will take their new-found information and pass it on to other Iraqi soldiers. That is exactly what al-Masaudi intends to do when he returns to his platoon upon graduating from the commando course on April 10.
The goal of the medical course, and all the training coordinated by MiTT-7 and similar units scattered throughout Iraq, is to make the Iraqi Army a self-sufficient force capable of securing its borders and protecting its citizenry. When asked about his new medical skills, al-Masaudi said he is confident that he and his fellow Iraqi soldiers are prepared to react to any crisis situation but look forward to continuing their relationship with MiTT-7 and other American forces.
"Each IA [soldier] has a had lot of training, and they want to learn more."
| Date Taken: | 06.07.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 06.07.2009 08:56 |
| Story ID: | 34661 |
| Location: | AL ASAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 117 |
| Downloads: | 112 |
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