Soldiers learn unconventional weapons tactics

Photo By Sgt. Spencer Case | Spc. Christine Bowman, a finance clerk with the 394th AG Postal Company, fires an M-9 Pistol during a range exercise at Whitehorse Range, near Tallil, Iraq.  

TALLIL AIR BASE, IRAQ

04.25.2006

Courtesy Story

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TALLIL, Iraq - About 110 Soldiers of the 16th Corps Support Group tested their marksmanship skills during an unconventional two hour exercise at Whitehorse Range, Iraq, in March.

The purpose of the event was to make troops 'think outside the box" and to prepare them for realistic combat scenarios, said 1st Lt. Richard Flores, the commander of the 655th Transportation Company, who was tasked by the 16th CSG to plan the exercise.

"I just didn't want it to be an everyday familiarization range," Flores said. "I wanted there to be some learning, some things they've never seen before."

The troops rotated through four stations where they fired M-9 pistols, M-4 rifles and M-249 squad automatic weapons. Troops fired the M-4 twice, once from behind a tire and once from under a five-ton truck that was parked on the range to simulate a roadside attack.

To make things more interesting, the troops fired the weapons from alternate positions. They fired the M-9 and M-4 in the prone at 90 degrees and fired the SAW from a standing position as range NCOs added smoke grenades for realism.

Some of the servicemembers had trouble getting used to firing a weapon from different angles, but most found that they were better prepared for combat after the event was finished.

"It was good training," said Spc. Christine Bowman, a finance clerk with the 394th Adjutant General Company (Postal) who participated in the training. "They taught you stuff they didn't teach you in Kuwait that you can use. It was fun."

The training is part of a larger effort by the 16th CSG to ensure their troops can meet any standard, said Sgt. 1st Class William Henry Jr., the training NCO and master marksman for the 16th CSG.

Each subordinate battalion of the 16th CSG runs at least two range exercises per month, which vary from close quarters marksmanship, crew-served weapons and small-arms fire.

"Everything we teach now is geared toward enemy strategies, we improvise strategies to meet their offense. I think it is best that we train them so they're able to conduct themselves in combat."

Maj. Edward Boyle, the S-3 plans and operations officer for the 16th CSG added, "The goal is to make sure Soldiers maintain skill with their weapons, but also confidence in performing functions checks, correcting malfunctions and actually engaging the enemy. Confidence makes all the difference on the road."

This is not an overstatement. In March, one such incident occurred when a combat logistics patrol (CLP) of the 16th CSG traveling between Logistical Support Area Adder and Baghdad halted because of a possible improvised explosive device and received small-arms fire.

With 16th CSG troops running CLPs throughout central and southern Iraq, there's no telling when the next incident is going to happen.

Whatever happens on the roads, Soldiers from the 16th CSG will be prepared.

• Date Taken: 04.25.2006
• Date Posted: 04.25.2006 10:10
• Story ID: 6110
• Location: TALLIL AIR BASE, IQ