JOINT SECURITY STATION INDIA, Iraq " After months of training with their U.S. partners, Iraqi instructors from 3rd Brigade, 2nd Iraqi Army Division, showcased their ability to train and mentor fellow soldiers during classes near Joint Security Station India, Iraq, June 13.
“Ghost” troopers from Troop D, 2nd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Advise and Assist, 1st Cavalry Division, observed Iraqi soldiers conduct weapons familiarization and maintenance techniques.
“We are here to advise and assist the instructors, and ensure they understand how to teach their trainees,” said Sgt. Mark Martinez, an armor crewman assigned to Troop D.
“When we see the soldiers learn something new in class and correctly use it in a tactical situation, it lets us know we’re doing the right thing and our instructors are teaching these guys what right looks like,” said Martinez, a native of Monte Alto, Texas.
Ghost troopers are responsible for mentoring and overseeing the Iraqi training instructors during Operation Lion Leader Forge, a month-long training exercise designed to enhance the military and leadership capabilities of 2nd IA Div. soldiers.
In addition to the Lion Leader Forge training effort, U.S. and Iraqi Security Forces soldiers are currently preparing for Operation Iron Lion.
Operation Iron Lion is designed to demonstrate the increased capacity of the Iraqi Army, Iraqi Police and Federal Police to coordinate efforts to deter and defeat criminal and extremist elements across northern Iraq.
“We have a good relationship with our American partners and we give thanks to them for all they have taught us,” said Cpl. Yaqob Kaden, an infantryman and Iraqi instructor from Baghdad.
In addition to breaking down rifles and learning each of the parts, Kaden and the other instructors drilled each of their trainees on the importance of being safe and clearing the weapons after each use.
“These are very good skills that every soldier should know,” said Kaden. “We train them to remember these skills and use them wherever they go.”
Sergeant Christopher Dibella, one of the initial Ghost mentors for the class, said he believes the unique thing about the Iraqi instructors is their ability to relay the training guidance and course material to their trainees.
“The Iraqi instructors do a very good job at using the regulations and standards they have to teach these trainees,” said Dibella, a native of Easton, Pa., and an armor crewman assigned to Troop D. “They took what we initially taught them and made it their own.”
Iraqi students are scheduled to graduate from Lion Leader Forge later this month.
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