CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq - Troopers from 3rd Advise and Assist Bde., 1st Cavalry Division conducted a relief in place with units in Iraq while developing their own tactics, techniques and procedures.
Soldiers with 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment coordinated efforts with Soldiers from 3rd AAB, 4th Infantry Div. to continue the training mission until their departure.
The focus of the two units is to transfer responsibility of Tadreeb al-Shamil, Arabic for "training that includes everything" the local Iraqi Army version of the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif.
The training is 25 days long and conducted at the battalion level. IA Soldiers participated in combined weapons ranges; land navigation courses; mortar team training; and squad, company and battalion level maneuver training.
Simultaneously, Iraqi Army officers learn techniques for planning operations and managing troops.
U.S. troops from 4th ID supported the first iteration by helping implement training and doctrine command (TRADOC) standards and overseeing the development of the training facility.
Halfway through the second iteration, Cav troopers arrived and conducted relief in place.
"My company is working with [4th ID] to understand the way the Iraqi Army trains," said Capt. Bryan Herzog, of Shrewsbury, Penn, commander B Company, 1st Bn., 12th Cav. Regt.
Senior non-commissioned officers with the company said the training conducted at Tadreeb al-Shamil was familiar and made their relief in place a smooth transition.
"I was impressed by the ranges," said Sgt. 1st Class Larry Green, a platoon sergeant from Gainesville, Fla. "They are set up just like U.S. ranges which makes them easy to maneuver around. We haven't decided what we'll adopt, but all the mechanisms in place now are working."
Greywolf troopers continued observations to gain a better understanding of how to advise the Iraqi Soldiers through the training.
"They have this to a science and the Iraqi Army seems to operate well," said Pvt. Joshua Parlin. "[4thID Soldiers] gave us pointers and told us what to expect. Going out there for the last few days has helped. Just being hands off and able to observe everything."
Soldiers said they were excited about seeing more iterations of training.
"I'm looking forward to this experience and interacting with another culture," Parlin said. "I'm already learning Arabic from them."
As Greywolf begins their mission, their new role as an advise and assist brigade is already creating a relationship with their Iraqi military counterparts.
"These guys are Soldiers just like us. A lot of the things my guys have gone through they'll see the Iraqi Soldiers go through out here," said Green.
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