CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE MAREZ, Iraq " Soldiers assigned to Battery B, 5th Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, taught Iraqi soldiers how to emplace and displace the M198 155mm towed howitzer during training at Ghuzlani Eagle Training Site, Iraq, June 15.
The first group of soldiers assigned to the newly established 102nd Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Iraqi Army Division, learned how to effectively use the weapon system to fight against external national threats.
The eight-ton M198 is a towed 155mm howitzer capable of delivering artillery fire to ranges of 30 kilometers.
“One of the primary objectives for the IA is going to be external defense " being able to defend its borders against foreign threats,” said Capt. Chad Fitzgerald, commander of Battery B. “As the Iraqi Army has progressed, the next step in their training is being able to (use) artillery systems like this.”
Twenty IA soldiers gathered around the towering weapon system, watching as U.S. trainers worked step by step to teach trainees how to prepare the howitzer for a fire mission.
Instructors assigned each IA soldier a specific crew position on the M198. As the students gained knowledge on the overall weapon system, Battery B, 5th Bn., 82nd FA Regt., “Black Dragon” Soldiers provided more in-depth training to increase Iraqi soldiers’ proficiency.
“We start out by teaching them specific positions,” said Fitzgerald, a native of Arlington, Texas. “We want them to master that position, and as the training progresses, we will cross train (them) so they know each position.”
Aside from training on the actual M198 howitzer, IA soldiers also conduct academic training during the 20-day class, where they learn various components of the weapon system.
“Day by day, my soldiers are progressing,” said Col. Alaa Alrida, commander of 102nd FA Regt. “The training methods for teaching my soldiers are very effective. I am confident the training my soldiers receive here will reflect in the field.”
Once the training is completed, the Iraqi artillerymen are scheduled to prepare for a live fire exercise to demonstrate their new skills and the firepower of the M198 howitzers.
“(After this training), this group of IA soldiers should be proficient enough to come back next month and train the next (group) of soldiers,” said Sgt. 1st Class Bobby Brewster, a field artillery platoon sergeant assigned to Battery B.
Currently on his fourth tour to Iraq, and a native of San Diego, Brewster said it is great to train the IA soldiers on specific skills during Operation New Dawn to help them defend their country.
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