Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Phoenix Base
APO AE 09348

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Release No. 091122-01
Nov. 22, 2009
Contact:  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
DSN:  318-852-8325
IRAQNA:  0770-443-6289

The 2nd and 3rd IA Divisions Conduct 81mm Mortar Training

KIRKUK, Iraq – The 2nd and 3rd Iraqi army divisions are professionalizing their forces with 81mm mortar training at the Kirkuk Training Center this month. The divisions have been training since Nov. 1.

The 81mm mortar demands a high level of proficiency and team work. This program will instruct Iraqi soldiers to engage targets by “direct lay”, where the gunner identifies a target and adjusts his own rounds onto the target. The training will also prepare the soldiers to work collectively with forward observers and the fire direction center, when the gunner cannot see the target.

The indirect fire process demands that all the soldiers on the mortar team have expert knowledge on multiple military disciplines, to include: target identification, map reading, navigation and precision math skills. Training during this period of instruction has included a rigorous literacy and mathematics exam, land navigation, terrain association, and map reading.

Final training in this course will continue to challenge the soldiers. As a prerequisite for course completion, the soldiers will be required to successfully complete a written examination and a live-fire practical exercises. The mortar training concludes Nov. 28.

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FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR INTERVIEWS CONCERNING THIS RELEASE, CONTACT THE MULTI-NATIONAL SECURITY TRANSITION COMMAND – IRAQ PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE BY E-MAIL AT This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it OR BY PHONE AT DSN: (318) 852-1332 OR IRAQNA: 0790-194-0270.  FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OUR ORGANIZATION VISIT:  WWW.MNSTCI.IRAQ.CENTCOM.MIL .