Training seals brotherhood

AL SINIYAH AIRBASE – Soldiers of 3rd Plt are fulfilling a vital role of assisting, advising and mentoring their IA counterparts. Recently, Sgt. Brian Helpap and Spc. Mario Luna, instructed an Iraqi recon and surveillance plt on land navigation and communication procedures.

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On the first day of training, Iraqi Soldiers, known as Jundi, learned how to read a map. After a few days of training, Soldiers were successfully negotiating a 4-point land navigation course. In addition to using a map, compass and protractor, Soldiers also became proficient using GPS systems to navigate. “It’s a great opportunity to share our knowledge with our Iraqi counterparts,” Helpap said. The training culminated with Soldiers creating and manning an observation post while communicating with only hand and arm signals. The Soldier students then established radio communications with their higher HQ, while observing and reporting on the activities of 3rd plt Soldiers who were role-playing as the enemy. After land navigation and communications training, the Iraqi recon and surveillance plt will use their newly acquired skills as they secure the Salah ad-Din prov. Additional IA units are scheduled to come through the course offered by U.S. advisors, and 3rd plt Soldiers are ready to continue. “It’s pretty cool training a Soldier from another country,” Luna said. “It’s definitely a different experience.”

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