B*N*S*N by any other name

In the beginning, B*N*S*N was born from an agreement among a small group of milboggers to share the good news of this Global War on Terror; the stories and the people that the msm didn't see worthy of sharing with the public.

As each day the msm stuck to headlines of our troops as Rambos on steroids, mindless murderers, and as they chose to ignore the real - loving and loved - people behind the statistics of our Fallen Heroes, we decided to take matters into our own hands and allot at least one day a week on our sites to the GREAT news. As anyone who pays attention knows, this Global War on Terror is about our troops making a difference in the lives of the natives of - currently, predominantly - Afghanistan and Iraq. Stories that the msm has never seemed to think deserve attention from the reading public.

As my regular readers know, week in, week out, it is my priviledge to share some of those stories. Truth of the matter is, that I always struggle to restrict myself to maximum four stories, at least on this one day. There are many, many more 'from the sandbox' stories that rarely see the light of day, and on this site, the only restriction is time. Never enough time in any one day to bring to attention all the great positive news that the msm deems not newsworthy.

However, there are other sites out there that also focus on the good news - and the Heroes - every single day, and readers of this site who pay close attention may have noticed that in the last little while, I have linked to one of them more than most.

War on Terror News has as its mandate sharing the news that the msm doesn't think regular folks need to know. Every single day, they share at least 20 stories that you will not find in the msm. Every story at WOTN could very easily fall under the B*N*S*N banner.

A few months back I volunteered to join the WOTN editorial staff, because from my ongoing observations, their mandate perfectly meshes with the demonstrated focus of this site. I like what they do. Does this mean that I am closing my own site down? No, of course not! Much as *some* politicians and anti-troops spit-worthy morons may wish otherwise, Assoluta Tranquillita will continue doing what I have always done.

War On Terror News has the B*N*S*N stories, just under another name. You can find the link in my sidebar, and you can also find it here.

So, on those days when you cannot find your regular B*N*S*N fix here at AT, you CAN always find them at WOTN; not just on one day - but every.single.day.

Soldier ON!

B*N*S*N

From Rafairman's Blog : An RAF Airman's Blog(an MOD blog)

It’s Not Just What You Wear, It’s Why You Wear It…

The heat out here is something else. It’s hard to express how hot it gets. And how hot you get as an individual in it. When the ambient air temperature is greater than body temp…that’s wrong. It means that at times it’s physically impossible to get cool. I have seen people purposefully jump into an irrigation just to get some relief from the heat. It’s not advisable to do so…the smell alone can often put you off and you never know WHAT might be in there…remember we are in a countryside without sewers…

Most of the time though, we are NOT on a patrol. People in the PBs and CPs can relax and try and find a way of getting cool. People sit outside their tents in shorts. Some of the more enterprising ones have had paddling pools sent out from home which they fill up with water from the well. Most of the time you wear shorts and a tee-shirt.

The other day we had a visit from a General. And because Generals can’t see people in shorts for some reason, our relaxed dress of wearing the issued Multi-cam shorts and sandals with some sort of military tee-shirt was stiffened up to mean we had to wear trousers, socks and boots. Thankfully we could still wear our normal tee-shirts, but the difference in the comfort level when in long trousers to when in shorts is amazing.

Here’s a bit of a secret. It’s so hot that most people out here don’t bother with underwear when cutting around camp. It just gets hot and sweaty…But of course, once you go out of the gates on a patrol things change. Obviously you can’t bomb around Afghanistan in a pair of flip-flops and some beech shorts. As soon as you go out, you are fully dressed up in all the gear you need to keep you safe. All that kit has a dramatic effect on you in the heat and the level of effort you have to put in to move about. It raises the very serious risk of heat injuries. Whilst in the base you are safe to get your flesh out. You go out almost virtually covered. Helmet and body armour is the obvious. But then there are the gloves you need to wear. The eye-protection. Hearing protection. A big pair of boots. Bomb pants.

Whoa…Bomb Pants? What? I hear you ask. Well. ..

Yes, there's much more here.

B*N*S*N

06/15/2011 - U.S. Air Force Capt. Greg Auerbach, an KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft instructor pilot with the 54th Air Refueling Squadron, receives a high-five from his dog Ronnie, a search and rescue K-9 German Shepherd on the flight line at Altus Air Force Base, Okla., June 15, 2011. Auerbach and Ronnie were one of three K-9 Search and Rescue handler volunteer teams from the Central Oklahoma Search and Rescue who found the body of a missing boy from Piedmont, Okla., May 26, 2011. (DoD photo by Senior Airman Leandra D. Stepp, U.S. Air Force/Released)

B*N*S*N

Fighting fire in Iraq's 'DMZ'

Written by Tech. Sgt. Randy Redman, 321st Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs Thursday, June 02, 2011

BAGHDAD - For firefighters, preparation is one of the most crucial elements of success. It leads to the ability to step in confidently when lives are on the line. Now firefighters at Baghdad International Airport are one step closer to realistic training.

Multiple firefighting agencies working at and around BIAP came together for the first exercise using the new aircraft simulator here May 18. Firefighters with Iraq Training and Advisory Mission-Air, KBR Engineering and Construction, Sallyport Co., Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority, Baghdad International Airport and Readiness Management Support were on hand to evaluate the effectiveness of the new simulator, which is located in an out-of-the-way portion of the Victory Base Complex. Chief Master Sgt. Daniel Lysher, 447th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Emergency Services chief, has been working on this project since he deployed in January. Chief "Smokey," as he's known around here, said the location was chosen so all of the firefighters would have easy access to a neutral area for training.

"It's kind of like the demilitarized zone in Korea... That's why we chose the location we did. It gives everyone the opportunity to use it because it's right in the middle," said Chief Lysher, deployed from the Minnesota Air National Guard's 148th Fighter Wing.

Rafie Sahi, BIAP Fire Department deputy fire chief, has been in the fire fighting business in Iraq for nearly 40 years and is excited about the possibility of using the new simulator. He expressed his concerns about different techniques used by Americans, but said the firefighters who participated in this exercise were impressive.

"They should have brought the trucks much closer to the aircraft. This way they do not have to use as much hose," said Mr. Rafie. Nonetheless, he added that capitalizing on these differences and training together will benefit all of the organizations involved....

More here

B*N*S*N

Battleback troops join forces with Army's elite swimmers

From: armyweb | May 24, 2011



Injured servicemen have been making waves back to fitness along with the Army's top swimming squad during an intensive training week in Gibraltar. The troops, including multiple amputees, joined the Army's elite aquatics squad to clock up the miles with several gruelling sessions each day in the cold waters of the Mediterranean where it meets the Atlantic Ocean.
They have been training for the Round-Jersey Challenge, an arduous 41-mile race around the channel island to raise money for 'Holidays for Heroes (Jersey)', a charity which supports wounded Servicemen and women.

B*N*S*N

Bomb disposal specialist wins hero award

A History and Honour news article

19 May 11

An Army bomb disposal specialist who defused the greatest number of improvised explosive devices in one day during Op HERRICK 13 in Afghanistan has won the Forces Hero category of a Scottish newspaper's 'Our Heroes' awards.

Warrant Officer Class 2 Iain Martin with his 'Our Heroes' Award
[Picture: Phil Dye, Daily Record 2011]

Royal Logistic Corps Ammunition Technical Warrant Officer Class 2 Iain Martin defused 12 IEDs ranging in size from five to 15kg which were targeted at both vehicles and troops, while he was deployed to Afghanistan earlier this year.

His actions resulted in the greatest number of IEDs to have been found and removed on any search on Operation HERRICK 13 during the Counter-IED team's high-risk clearance operation in the Gereshk area of Helmand province.

The IEDs were all pressure-plate initiated and located within 300 metres of each other on a route known as the Bandi Barq road.

At the Scottish Daily Record newspaper's prestigious 'Our Heroes' awards ceremony, WO2 Martin, from Edinburgh, said:

"I don't do anything unless I am backed up with a team. This award goes to them too."...

More here.

Congratulations Sir! Thank you for your service.

B*N*S*N

05/02/2011 - U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Kevin Banks, a military working dog handler with the 902nd Security Forces Squadron, demonstrates a double bite, which is when two dogs are released consecutively in order to apprehend a criminal, at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, May 2, 2011. (DoD photo by Airman Alexis Siekert, U.S. Air Force/Released)

[Bratdog approves this message..lol]

B*N*S*N

05/03/2011 - Sheryl Flanary, left, and U.S. Navy Lt. j.g. Sara Edmonson, right, teach a patient how to play a game at a medical clinic set up by the staff of the hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) for Continuing Promise 2011 in Paita, Peru, May 3, 2011. Continuing Promise is a regularly scheduled mission to countries in Central and South America and the Caribbean, where the U.S. Navy and its partnering nations work with host nations and a variety of governmental and nongovernmental agencies to train in civil-military operations. (DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Brian A. Goyak, U.S. Navy/Released)

B*N*S*N

From the Australian DoD:

29/04/2011

Artillery training team hits mark

The Afghan National Army (ANA) Artillery Training School in Kabul has reached an important milestone with its first graduates joining Afghan and ISAF combat elements in Kandahar Province.

Commanding Officer of the International Artillery Training Team – Kabul (ATT-K), Lieutenant Colonel (LTCOL) Kane Mangin said that the school’s first intake had been a success.

“This is an important month for the school because our first group of graduates has been formed into the first of the newest batteries of the ANA artillery,” LTCOL Mangin said.

“The graduates deployed to Kandahar in early April and with a bit of extra training they will be into the fight later this year.”

The school, mentored by the Australian led ATT-K, prepares Afghan soldiers to become skilled artillerymen and is an important step towards Afghan security forces taking full responsibility for security in the coming years.

“The ATT-K comprises six member nations and our collective task is to implement and develop the school of artillery for the ANA,” LTCOL Mangin said.

“Our mission is to spread the capability of the ANA Artillery Branch across Afghanistan.”

Australia currently has 20 artillery trainers mentoring Afghan instructors at the school, which officially opened in October 2010.

Although training includes live firing of the ANA’s D-30 Howitzer guns and rigorous gun drills, an important aspect of the school curriculum is to teach basic literacy and numeracy skills.

The national literacy rate in Afghanistan is around 28% but for recruits it is only 14%. Therefore, these skills are key to professionalising the Afghan National Security Forces, and are highly valued by the students.

The ANA Artillery Training School was the first military school in Afghanistan to develop and run a literacy program for its students.

“Most of the soldiers we receive come straight off the street and cannot read or write,” LTCOL Mangin said.

“Artillery is a technical trade requiring literacy and numeracy skills so we implemented a literacy program which gives our trainees basic fundamentals to do the job.”

At any one time, the school typically has 440 students attending one of nine different courses.

The goal for the school is to provide artillery training to approximately 2100 officers and soldiers over the next twelve months, which translates to approximately 23 artillery batteries for the ANA.

The creation of these newest batteries indicates progress is being made and the future for the ANA Artillery branch is looking positive.”

(source)

B*N*S*N

"And now for something completely different!"

BritishForcesNews on Apr 18, 2011

An Army officer from Rheindahlen in Germany believes he has a serious chance of winning a world championship -- for charming worms! As an officer in the Intelligence Corps, Captain Iain Logan helps to predict an enemy's plans but his hobby also means keeping an ear to the ground! Now his skill is being tested as never before.

Only a Brit, you say? Dare we say winning the war, one worm at a time? The possibilities are endless.

B*N*S*N

3rd Battalion, 5th Marines Returns Home Soon

Third Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment is set to return home to California soon. The battalion, nicknamed "Dark Horse" has suffered more casualties than any other Marine unit during the Afghan war. Their constant offense kept the enemy on their toes through the winter.



This video is dated March 30, but I wanted it on the record here.

WELCOME HOME!!! Semper Fi, Marines

B*N*S*N

Coldstream Guards train with French Army on Ex Gaulish

From: armyweb

Members of 1st Battalion The Coldstream Guards are the first British soldiers to engage in tactical level training with the French Army since the announcement of the UK-France Defence Cooperation Treaty on 2 November 2010.

Some 130 soldiers from the battalion's Number 1 Company and attached personnel from 2nd Battalion The Royal Welsh, The London Regiment and 5 Medical Regiment travelled to the French Urban Centre (CENZUB), where French forces conduct their Operations in Built-up Areas training (OBUA).

(Source)

B*N*S*N1

Something worth fighting for

By Army Staff Sgt. Pat Caldwell
103rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary)

Ahmed plays soccer with Air Force nurse 1st Lt. Stephanie Allen outside the Joint Base Balad U.S. Air Force Hospital. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Pat Caldwell) (Released)

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq (3/22/11) - In Iraq, there is often the known and the unknown and sometimes the two merge and overlap so that even the clearest scene is marred, obscured like sand pushed over a road by a hard, hot wind.

Ten-year-old Ahmed’s tale, though, is straightforward and horribly simple.

One day in November, Ahmed’s father bought a car. He asked a man to take the car to fill it with gas. Ahmed wanted to go along. So his father said go ahead.

Somehow gasoline spilled over Ahmed. No one, not even Ahmed, is sure how he came to be soaked in gasoline.

When the man tried to start the car there was a spark. The car erupted and caught fire. Ahmed was engulfed in flames.

Ahmed said he can remember crawling out of the vehicle and running. Running on fire, and, of course, he recalls the pain as his skin became ash.

Two nearby men grabbed Ahmed. One covered him with a shirt; another man pulled his coat over Ahmed’s scorched body, and took him home.

His family traveled to Baghdad to seek help. At a local hospital the doctors were firm with the family. Ahmed was burned too badly, and there was nothing they could do.

The family took Ahmed home to his village northeast of Baghdad, and there, in a farmhouse with no electricity, Ahmed began to die. A local nurse arrived and treated Ahmed as best she could, but offered an option as final hope – take him to the Americans.

So the family packed Ahmed up and drove from his village north, through central Iraq toward Joint Base Balad.

Hard decisions prove easy

When Ahmed was admitted to the hospital he suffered third-degree burns over more than 54 percent of his body.

“He was the most seriously burned kid to ever survive coming through an Air Force Theater hospital,” said Air Force Maj. Todd Bafus, surgeon.

One thing was crystal clear when he came into the hospital: He was dying. Not slowly, but all at once.

“He was black. He was knocking on death’s door,” said Air Force Staff Sgt. Frances Robinson, a critical care technician at the hospital.

Ahmed’s chest, back, arms, face and portions of each leg were scorched. He was placed on a ventilator.

“We thought he was going to die,” intensive care unit nurse, Air Force Capt. Lani Cuebas said.

Hard decisions had to be made. To keep the boy or send him home. There were other issues to address. The priority was always wounded American servicemembers. Going back home for Ahmed, would mean death.

“We thought, ‘how could we make this kid get better? We got to try,’” Cuebas said.

So Ahmed stayed, and then the real fight for his life began....

This story ends with:

Maybe all that really matters is a group of American medical personnel did what they were trained to do. They went the distance and saved a little boy from death.

For a brief moment in a country ravaged by war on a base far from home, a small group of Americans made a difference.

This is yet another of those stories that demonstrates the humanity, the decency of our troops. You probably won't find it on the front page of the msm, but you can read it here.

B*N*S*N1

Baghdad, Um Al-abeed

Old techniques get new life in Baghdad – PRT-Baghdad helps Iraqi women acquire skills to preserve produce through canning

Canned produce ready to go

Baghdad -- In the dusty village of Um al-Abeed, in Eastern Baghdad province, dozens of women picked at large platters of tomatoes, okra and other produce. They hadn’t gathered to prepare a community feast, but rather to learn how to preserve the bounty from their family farms.

The women took part in a PRT-Baghdad supported training program on canning. Working with a local NGO, the women received four days of instruction on food safety and preservation followed by six days of hands- on training. After the training, the women received starter kits so they can preserve food on their own.

It’s just the latest in a series of PRT projects to benefit women in Baghdad.

Adding the brine

Sarmad Kamel, founder of al-Shahab organization which helped implement the training, said he hopes the program can be replicated across Iraq. “This project helped train women who are widows or whose families were internally displaced by the sectarian fighting years ago. It’s very valuable because it helps them support themselves and their families, when there is no man in the house.”...

More on this B*N*S*N here.

B*N*S*N1

Afghan Combat Medic Training

US forces conducting training exercises with Afghan troops, teaching combat medics how to deal with real-life scenarios on the battlefield.

(source)

B*N*S*N1

Iraqi first responders first graduates of 'Thunderhorse' EMT course

Lt. Col. Joseph Holland, commander of 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, attached to 1st Advise and Assist Task Force, 1st Infantry Division, presents an Iraqi Police officer a certificate of completion for graduating a four-week Emergency Medical Technician course during a graduation ceremony at Kirkuk Training Center, Iraq, Feb. 28.

Written by Spc. Kandi Huggins, 1st Advise and Assist Task Force Public Affairs, 1st Infantry Division, U.S. Division-North Thursday, March 03, 2011 08:54

CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE WARRIOR, Iraq – “I’m proud to call every one of you my colleague,” said 1st Lt. Jordan King, platoon leader of the “Thunderhorse” medics assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, attached to 1st Advise and Assist Task Force, 1st Infantry Division, from Fort Riley, Kan., acknowledging the achievements of 38 men in front of him.

“It’s been a pleasure working with you and I look forward to our strong partnership,” King continued at a graduation ceremony honoring members of Kirkuk province’s Iraqi Police, Emergency Response Unit and fire departments.

The graduation ceremony concluded the four-week training, the first Emergency Medical Technician course held at Kirkuk Training Center in Iraq, Feb. 28.
During the month-long course, U.S. troops mentored Iraqi police officers, first responders and fire fighters with the purpose of increasing Iraqi Security Forces’ medical proficiency when responding to emergencies.

The training centered on evacuations, tactical combat casualty care and emergency medicine, said King, a Hudson, Ohio native.

“This course was an improvement from the previous EMT training of the various emergency response units, because it was completely Iraqi-ran,” said King. “We used Iraqi supplies, conducted the training at their training center and the instruction came from the Iraqis.”

King said his primary responsibility was to advise the instructors, assist with planning and supervise training.

“We need this training in all the centers throughout the city, but for now I’m thankful we have proficient members of the ISF to promote this city’s safety and security,” he said.
During the ceremony, ISF students watched a video highlighting training during the four-week course, which was supervised by medics of 2nd Bn., 12th Cav. Regt., deployed as part of U.S. Division-North in support of Operation New Dawn....

Much more of this B*N*S*N story here.

B*N*S*N1

Operation Awhina: Canterbury Earthquake Relief

CHRISTCHURCH EARTHQUAKE - NZ DEFENCE FORCE - UPDATE 4

Thursday 24 February 2011

The New Zealand Defence Force is continuing its effort in support of emergency agencies dealing with search and rescue in Christchurch.

• 738 NZ Army personnel with approximately eighty vehicles are committed alongside116 Singapore Army personnel who were in New Zealand for an exercise. These personnel are helping man the cordons.
• Two environmental health teams are working alongside Ministry of Health teams in the city.
• A 350 bed tent city has been established at Burnham Camp to be increased to 500 beds to support the arrival of international contributions.
• 150 Air Force personnel are committed to the task with two Boeing B757 aircraft and two Hercules C-130 aircraft continued to support air-bridge task CH-WN deploying emergency response personnel and equipment , bulk water and NZDF resources.
• 1053 personnel were processed by Christchurch Air Movements. 936 personnel moved by RNZAF Aircraft.
• 91 Australian citizens have been carried by RAAF to Australia and 26 Singaporean citizens by Royal Singapore Air Force.
• Two Iroquois helicopters are currently in Christchurch from No3 SQN RNZAF.
• 200 Navy personnel are committed in the Lyttelton area with HMNZS CANTERBURY alongside Lyttelton and OTAGO/ PUKAKI at anchor in approaches.
• The Navy’s Littoral Warfare Support Group will complete a survey of the port using Navy divers and a remote underwater vehicle.
• CANTERBURY provided 700 meals last night and non-armed security patrol of 10 pers remain in the Lyttelton Town centre
• Army engineers will be setting up two water points including water purification (Lyttleton and New Brighton) later today. They will also be carrying out clearance tasks in the Pages/Breezes Rd area.
• Forty five dialysis patients were carried out of the city yesterday on a Boeing 757aircraft to Auckland.
• NZ Defence Force is providing assisitance to Civil Defence and foreign rescue teams.
• NSW has 72 pers and twenty tonnes of gear, Queensland 70 pers, 3 dogs and 22 tonnes of gear.
• Japan has 63 pers, 3 dogs and 10 tonnes of gear.
• Singapore has another 33 pers, 3 dogs and 10 tonnes of equipment.
• The US will be sending 80 pers and 40 tonnes of equipment.
• Taiwan plans to send 24 pers, 2 dogs and 2 tonnes of gear.
• The UK is sending 63 pers and 9 tonnes of equipment.

ENDS

(source)

B*N*S*N1

WELCOME HOME!!!

HMAS Melbourne welcomed home from Middle East deployment
18 February 2011

Related media

Hundreds of family, friends and officials gathered in Sydney to welcome home the 230 crew members of HMAS Melbourne after a six month deployment in the Middle East.

The Minister for Defence Materiel, the Hon. Jason Clare MP, joined the Commander Australian Fleet, Rear Admiral Stephen Gilmore AM CSC RAN, to officially welcome and congratulate Commander Michael Harris, RAN and his crew on a successful high-tempo operation.

Mr Clare said the crew had carried out really important work on a demanding deployment.

“In January the crew disrupted a pirate attack in progress onboard the British chemical tanker MV CPO China,” he said.

“This was just one of the 14 piracy distress calls the crew of HMAS Melbourne responded to during their deployment.”

“This is difficult and dangerous work; their efforts show Australian Defence Force personnel and equipment at their best.”

Commander Harris said his Ship’s Company were incredibly proud of their achievements but were clearly excited and happy to be home....

My most favourite stories! Go read the rest here,..

B*N*S*N1

Troops Donate School Supplies to Baraki Barak

Thursday, February 10, 2011

RCP 43 donates school supplies, toys in Baraki Barak

CJTF-101: LOGAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – To help prevent violent extremism and turn potential enemies into friends, 54th Engineer Battalion route-clearance soldiers donated supplies to Afghan school children in Baraki Barak, Logar province Jan. 30.

Task Force Dolch soldiers of 54th Engr. Bn.’s Route-Clearance Patrol 43 believe in practicing the “golden rule” of treating others the way they would like to be treated when attempting to win the hearts and minds of Afghans. Donating supplies to a school in the Baraki Barak valley of western Logar is a perfect example.

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Otto Valdez, TF Dolch’s RCP 43 platoon sergeant from Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, asked friends and family to donate school supplies for Afghan children. Valdez collected nearly $1,500 worth of school aid, saying his mother and brother sent about 80 percent of the supplies and the other 20 percent came from his friends.

RCP 43 soldiers distributed school supplies, toys, shoes and boxes of winter clothes in an effort to help the children enjoy a better quality of life.

This is not the first time Valdez conducted this type of mission.

“It was something I did before on other deployments - twice in Kosovo, twice in Iraq and now in Afghanistan,” said Valdez. “I am willing to do it again as long as God provides me with the strength.”

Valdez’s RCP 43 discovered the school while conducting route-clearance patrols in their area of operations. RCP 43 soldiers received help from local national interpreters to choose the most appropriate gifts for the children and establish rapport with the school officials.

One benefit for the soldiers conducting this mission was seeing the smiles and happiness in the children of the west Logar province school.

“I have two kids of my own, and I know the greatest thing to me is to see them happy,” said Valdez. “These Afghan children are not as lucky as Americans. If we can help them, that’s our biggest benefit from the missions.”...

(Read the rest here at WOTN)

B*N*S*N1

Tankers train Iraqi soldiers at Al Asad


1st Lt. Mark Buckley, of Yardley, Pa., and Staff Sgt. Alexander Leija, of Slaton, Texas, advise an Iraqi army noncommissioned officer as he over watches a PKC machine gun familiarization range. Buckley and Leija are both assigned to Company D, 1st Bn., 68th Armor Reg., 3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div, which has the mission of training Iraqi army companies in the 7th Iraqi Army Div. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Rudy Mello)



Written by Capt. John Barrington, 1st Bn., 68th Armor Reg., 3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div. Monday, January 31, 2011 16:28

AL ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq – The Soldiers of Company D, 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Advise and Assist Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, recently moved to Al Asad Air Base to join Task Force Blackjack, 4th Squadron., 10th Calvary Regiment, to begin its mission of advising, training, and assisting the 7th Iraqi Army Division.

The “Destroyers” of Company D built training areas which included ranges for rocket propelled grenade launchers, machine guns, and platoon tactical live-fire drills. Other companies assigned to TF Blackjack built M-16 marksmanship ranges and areas for defense tactics, squad movement drills, and hand grenade training.

While the 3rd AAB troops had a direct hand in constructing the ranges, the Iraqi leaders were actively involved as instructors during the training.

“The IA leadership instructed all RPK and PKC [machine gun] classes and developed a range scenario allowing support-by-fire positions to engage dismounted and mounted targets,” said Staff Sgt. Brian Oliver, of Greenville, Mich., fire support team chief and machine gun range safety officer.

Company D provided two advisor-trainer teams that partnered with two Iraqi army companies. These teams provide the advice, training, and assistance to the Iraqi leaders, allowing them to plan and resource training events.

The Destroyers also provided range cadre for the RPG and machine gun ranges and Soldiers to support the platoon movement training and the situational training exercise. The range cadre provided a training model and any additional expertise the Iraqi company leaders needed.

During the first rotation, Iraqi soldiers demonstrated a familiarity with many of the tasks, but had little practice executing them as a unit. Company D helped build and execute the training events that allowed the Iraqi soldiers to transition from squad movements all the way up to a battalion live-fire exercise.

“The IA Soldiers knew how to operate and employ their weapon systems, but trained very little in movement formations and techniques. Prior to this rotation, the majority of their maneuver training came from reading manuals or instruction at their basic course,” said 2nd Lt. David Blanton, of Columbus, Ohio....

Yes, our troops are still in Iraq, and you can read the rest of this B*N*S*N story here.