Iraqi Army leadership trains mortar men

Photo By Spc. Jessica Luhrs-Stabile | An Iraqi army soldier from the Kirkuk Training Center fires a mortar during his classes live fire exercise, Jan. 25, outside of Kirkuk, Iraq. This soldiers mortar class was first to be completely trained by Iraqi leadership at K1 and is scheduled to graduate later this week.  

KIRKUK, IRAQ

01.28.2010

Story by Pfc. Jessica Luhrs-Stabile 

1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division

FORWARD OPERATING BASE WARRIOR, KIRKUK, Iraq— After receiving 28 days of strenuous training from Iraqi Army officers and non-commissioned officers; IA soldiers of 4th and 12th IA Divisions will be the first mortar platoons to graduate the 81mm mortar class, after being taught solely by the IA leaders, at the Kirkuk Training Center, Iraq.

Military Professional Resources Inc. and four Soldiers from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, have been involved in training the IA mortar soldiers since August and recently turned the teaching reins over to the IA leadership and switched into an observation role, according to Paul Bacak, a MPRI mortar trainer.

The leaders teaching the class were recent graduates from the courses taught by MPRI and HHC, 2/504th PIR.

These leaders have exceeded the expectations, graduating from their classes' only months ago and now training soldiers that have never seen a mortar before, according to Marine Maj. Thomas Parker, of the 1st Battalion, 12th Marines, Iraqi Training and Advisory Mission-Army, military transition team senior advisor for K1.

During the course the IA leadership successfully trained their soldiers to engage a target using the "direct lay" method, meaning a gunner would adjust the point of fire in increments after receiving orders from forward observers and the fire direction center, without previously seeing the target.

This was proven at a live-fire mortar range, held Jan. 25, which was completely led by the Iraqi leadership, according to Marine Maj. Parker.

Following the live-fire range the soldiers take a written examination and then graduate from the course as mortar men for the IA.

This graduation is a big step for K1 because the 81mm mortar is newest addition to the training programs there and already having the IA leaders teach the course has not only been met but exceeds one of the many goals of the U.S. Forces and the IA leadership for K1.

The U.S. Forces and K1 leadership have given the 4th and 12th IA Div. the ability to self-generate mortar men and were the first of the training centers in the area to do so once again proving we could leave and K1 would be conducting training at a professional level.

• Date Taken: 01.28.2010
• Date Posted: 01.28.2010 05:16
• Story ID: 44544
• Location: KIRKUK, IQ