CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE MAREZ, Iraq- Soldiers assigned to the 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, spent the day training with the Soldiers of the 6th Brigade, 3rd Division, Iraqi Army to improve mortar skills Oct. 26.
Head Hunter troopers started their day with their IA partners by teaching a familiarization class on the Yugoslav M74 120MM mortar system.
"This cross training on the mortar equipment allows us to get as much information on their system and give them as much training on ours," said Spc. Samuel Mitchell, an indirect fire infantryman. "We want to improve their training while focusing on teaching them to operate their system safely. (This makes them) more accurate on hitting their targets," said the Brooklyn, N.Y., native.
During their training, both forces competed to see who could set up the weapon system the quickest without error. The Iraqi Army started first, working as a team to set up their mortar system and take it down upon further instruction.
Once the Soldiers had their turn, the IA gave them pointers, without hesitation, ensuring their set up and take down of the weapon system was executed properly. In receiving assistance, the added pointers told the Head Hunter Soldiers that the IA Soldiers were indeed learning.
"We want to train the ISF to the point where they can defend themselves," said Sgt. First Class Andre Bundick, the mortar platoon sergeant. "We don't want to leave them untrained where they can't defend themselves against (violent extremists and other threats to security). Right now, they're pretty proficient on their equipment," said the Painter, Va., native.
The 4th AAB, 1st Cav. Div., will spend the next month conducting mortar training with their IA partners in support of Operation New Dawn.
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