Courtesy Photo | Sgt. Joseph Noto (background, right) with 2nd Platoon, Company B, 1st Battalion, 63rd...... read more read more
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By 2nd Lt. Jared Viernes
2nd AAB, 1st Inf. Div., USD-C
BAGHDAD – Building and maintaining ties between Iraqi security forces and United States forces is one of the most central objectives of 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, United States Division –Center.
As a result, the majority of the missions undertaken by Company B “Bounty Hunters,” 1st Battalion, 63rd Armor Regiment, 2nd AAB, are designed to facilitate the development of a good working relationship between Iraqi army and U.S. soldiers at every level.
First Sgt. Paul Nwoga, first sergeant of Company B, 1st Bn., 63rd Armor Regt., 2nd AAB and a Philadelphia native, has worked to develop a strong relationship with Command Sgt. Maj. Satar Shaway Qassem, command sergeant major of the 6th Iraqi Army Division.
Nwoga regularly attends meetings in order to assist in training and development of the Iraqi soldiers. At these meetings, Nwoga and Qassem discuss how U.S. soldiers can assist in the training of Iraqi soldiers.
“Newer troops seeing the U.S. and Iraqi soldiers working together builds a good impression on the incoming troops,” Qassem said.
So far, the Bounty Hunters have assisted in providing combat lifesaver, map reading and personal security detachment training with more planned for the future, Nwoga said.
Iraqi soldiers have also received M16 rifles and will get marksmanship and maintenance instruction from Company B, 1st Bn., 63rd Armor Regt., 2nd AAB, 1st Inf. Div.
“Our goal is to teach these soldiers well enough for them to then teach themselves,” Nwoga said. “We are training the trainers. The ability of these Iraqi soldiers to educate other soldiers creates a multiplying effect of the initial training provided by U.S. forces.”
One of the overarching goals of Company B, 1st Bn., 63rd Armor Regt., 2nd AAB, 1st Inf. Div. under Operation New Dawn is to ensure Iraq has a self-sustainable military and government, with Iraqi soldiers able to teach and transfer knowledge even down to the lowest levels.
The close relationship between Nwoga and Qassem is an example of how soldiers of Company B, 1st Bn., 63rd Armor Regt., 2nd AAB will be able to accomplish their mission to advise, train and assist the ISF, with similar relationships being built throughout Iraq.
| Date Taken: | 02.11.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 02.11.2011 10:54 |
| Story ID: | 65243 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 64 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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