Iraqi Army’s Presidential Brigade Receives M-16s, Marksmanship Training Print E-mail
Friday, 08 February 2008
Original Source: Multi-National Force - Iraq

Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq

Iraqi Soldiers from the Army's Presidential Brigade zero-in their M-16 rifles at Besmaya Range Complex, Iraq. The Soldiers were issued their weapons and received training on them the day prior to the shoot. The small-arms range at Besmaya has a capability to allow up to 200 Soldiers to fire their weapons at once. Photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Christopher Frost.
Iraqi Soldiers from the Army's Presidential Brigade zero-in their M-16 rifles at Besmaya Range Complex, Iraq. The Soldiers were issued their weapons and received training on them the day prior to the shoot. The small-arms range at Besmaya has a capability to allow up to 200 Soldiers to fire their weapons at once. Photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Christopher Frost.
BESMAYA — The Iraqi Army’s Presidential Brigade turned over their older AK-47 model rifles for newer and more accurate M-16s at Besmaya Range Complex here, Feb. 5.  The weapons were issued using the biometrics system, which ties eachSoldier’s photograph, fingerprint, voice, retinal scan and name to the weapon they receive for accountability.  After receiving the weapons, the Soldiers received training from Besmaya’s staff. The training is broken up into three days.

The first day, the Soldiers are taught basic marksmanship instruction, which includes disassembly and assembly, care and maintenance, body position, and trigger squeeze.

The second and third days consist of the Soldiers firing their weapons to zero the sights in for each Soldier’s eye and to qualify him with the rifle.

“The M-16 is a very good weapon,” said Iraqi Army 2nd Lt. Soren, an officer in the Presidential Brigade. “It is the best weapon (since the Kalashnikov).”

The M-16s were purchased via Foreign Military Sales, a program that allows Iraq to purchase military equipment, materiel, and services using their own money from foreign countries.  Foreign Military Sales is a very regimented program that provides a transparent and documented process to all 126 member nations.

 
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