Battle drill training with 6th IA MiTT

Photo By Sgt. Daniel Schneider | A military policeman (right) from the 6th Iraqi Army Division tries to fend off blows from 1st Lt. Nick Salinas using his newly acquired combatives skills, Dec. 9, at Contingency Operating Location Constitution, here. Salinas, a Torrance, Calif., native, is the officer in charge of the Military Transition Team tasked to give the Iraqi soldiers a two day block of instruction on Army combatives. (Photo by: Spc. Daniel Schneider)  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

12.13.2009

Courtesy Story

Multi-National Division Baghdad

Story by: Staff Sgt. Jeff Hansen

BAGHDAD, Iraq — During this vital transition period, training the Iraqi army on basic battle drills is more important than ever.

This fact has not escaped Soldiers with 3rd Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, who work with IA troops at Contingency Operating Location Constitution, here, to help them learn these critical tasks. Select members of this unit are part of Multi-National Division — Baghdad's 6th IA Military Transition Team.

"The Iraqi soldiers are ready to learn," said Capt. Edward Walter, the 6th IA MiTT advisor. "They are motivated and ready to train."

Walter and his team, part of the only airborne ADAR in the Army, are training the 6th IA Division's Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance team on what the American Soldiers call "10 level", or basic, warrior tasks and drills.

The ISR team conducted squad movements, reacting to direct and indirect fire, and going through two days of unarmed combatives. The training takes just over two weeks, said Walter, and his hope is that the ISR can eventually conduct train the trainer classes to instruct their own Soldiers with little to no American assistance.

"The problem is the manpower," said Staff Sgt. Phillip Kightlinger, a MiTT squad leader. With more personnel, he feels the IA would be able to more effectively train their own troops.

The overall plan for this type of program, Kightlinger said, is for Iraqi platoon and squad leaders to train on higher level tasks to become subject matter experts. This way, they could train themselves on the lower level tasks.

With IA units being short handed, accomplishing this goal has proven more difficult than originally anticipated. However, Kightlinger and Walter agree that the Soldiers have been eager to learn and are very cooperative with their American counterparts.

The 6th IA MiTT, focused their instruction on squad sized movements rather than individual Army Warrior Tasks.

"These guys have the field experience," stated Walter. "We're just trying to ensure they can work in teams out there."

During reacting to indirect fire, American Soldiers acted as advisors, co-workers and even "the enemy" during this drill, which involved a lot of running, diving and hand signals for the ISR team.

With an assessment after the completion of the drill, Sgt. Andrew Reinheimer, a native of Radcliff, Ky., told the ISR Soldiers he was impressed with their motivation and overall performance.

"Now just imagine having to do that in full battle rattle," he jokingly added.

Along with the squad movements, two days were dedicated to instructing the IA in Army combatives.

First Lt. Nick Salinas, the officer in charge of the MiTT section conducting combatives training, stated this was the first time his team had given the block of instruction and was not usually part of the two week course.

"The Iraqi commanders specifically requested the combatives training," said Salinas. His Soldiers, previously a personnel security detachment, spent several weeks preparing for this training.

The ISR team has shown great appreciation for the training the Americans have provided, and even invited the MiTT to eat in their dining facility, Dec. 10; something which is usually reserved for VIP's.

"I think it means a lot to [the Iraqi soldiers] to have us training right beside them," said Walter.

After each training day, the Iraqi and American platoon leaders conducted a joint assessment of the training in front of the ISR team's formation. The MiTT members feel this not only builds camaraderie, but also gives Iraqi noncommissioned and commissioned officers a chance to work on their troop leading procedures.

With the help of the men of 4th ADAR, the 6th IA Division will be one step closer to self reliance as American forces prepare for a complete transition. Though their mission may seem behind the scenes, the MiTT Soldiers are proud of the job they are doing here.

• Date Taken: 12.13.2009
• Date Posted: 12.13.2009 06:59
• Story ID: 42692
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ