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Officers graduate first Iraqi Field Artillery Pre-Commanders Course

Written by United States Forces – Iraq PAO Sunday, December 12, 2010 09:00

BAGHDAD – Seventeen Iraqi Army majors graduated from the first Iraqi Field Artillery Pre-Commanders Course taught at the Iraqi Field Artillery School in Abu Ghraib Dec. 1.

The four-month pre-commanders course qualifies officers in the Iraqi field artillery to be placed into a commander’s role. Modeled after the U.S. Army’s Field Artillery Officer Advance Course and the Army’s Intermediate-Level Education program, the course curriculum covers battalion-level and higher field artillery doctrine, tactics, and advanced field artillery techniques.

Students are instructed on how to provide immediate support and general support for regiment artillery missions, artillery mobilization, counter-fire operations, and the implementation of fire support plans. The goal is for the officers to develop the skills and knowledge required to perform as the commander of a regiment.

The course, taught by Iraqi Army trainers, is also used as a train-the-trainer tool, as coalition advisors focus on mentoring the Iraqi instructors throughout the training cycle to ensure the Iraqi Army has an enduring capability to develop strong leaders.

“This course was very beneficial to me and my fellow officers,” said Iraqi Army Maj. Mustafa Jankess Fatih Ra'auf, the course honor graduate.

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