Courtesy Photo | The 14th Iraqi army obstacle course nears completion in the third week of October. The...... read more read more
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By 1st Lt. Ryan Foreman
CAMP WESSAM, Iraq – Iraqi soldiers are building a conventional situational training exercise lane and obstacle course outside their Division Headquarters at Camp Wessam, in Basra in order to add a new dimension to their ongoing training.
With assistance from the 14th Iraqi Army Security Transition Team and Company B, 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Advise and Assist Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, the 14th IA recently began construction on the training area and anticipates completion by mid November.
The situational training exercise lane, or STX lane as it is commonly called, began as a piece of barren land approximately 300 meters long by 100 meters wide. The lane will enable Iraqi soldiers to conduct training scenarios in both offensive and defensive operations, something they normally don’t get to do at their own base, said Lt. Col. Christopher Tatka, training advisor with the 14th IA STT.
The separate obstacle course, which is adjacent to the maneuver lane, will enable smaller units a chance to work on physical fitness, team building and esprit de corps, he added.
Once completed, the obstacle course and STX lane will allow the division staff and commanders to train and evaluate platoon to company sized units on both physical fitness and maneuver capabilities.
“This is the first step in getting the 14th Iraqi Army Division to start training in full-spectrum operations outside of the Iraqi army training center,” said Tatka.
Currently, 14th IA units must train almost exclusively at the nearby Iraqi Army Training Center, which can be booked out months in advance. The new STX lane will allow Iraqi units to train on a variety of tactics and maneuvers much more frequently than they do now.
“This situational training exercise lane allows them to do the equivalent of home station training like we do at Fort Carson,” said Tatka.
Tatka, who worked with the Iraqi army to provide insight into properly constructing the training site, said that all of the materials, labor and resources were provided by the Iraqi Army.
Prior to the start of construction, an Iraqi explosive ordnance disposal team helped to clear the area of possible hazards.
When the site is completed, Iraqi commanders will conduct a rehearsal in order to create a standard for Iraqi units to follow as they take advantage of the new training area.
| Date Taken: | 10.13.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 11.08.2010 08:59 |
| Story ID: | 59652 |
| Location: | CAMP WESSAM, IQ |
| Web Views: | 63 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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