Mortar training aims to help combat Daesh
ARTILLERY weapons have been in use by the Australian Defence Force for over 100 years providing accurate and lethal fire support from the safety of distance.
But for members of the Iraqi Security Forces, who have valiantly pushed back against the scourge of Islamic State in predominantly closequarter combat, they are a new tool to aid in the eradication of the foreign terror group from their country.
Members of the Iraqi Ranger Battalion on Sunday learned for the first time how to assemble mortar barrels and use them.
Company Sergeant Major 1st Private Omar Alrubaee is only 22 but has been in the Iraqi Army for four years.
He said training with the Australian and New Zealanders from Task Group Taji Five would only enhance their capabilities as a unit and an army.
“The Most of don’t have knowledge about mortars and now they have the knowledge about how to use them in battle,” he said.
“The last fight with Daesh we didn’t use mortars because we didn’t know how to use them before. God willing, we’ll be confident to use these in the next fight.”
Task Group Taji Five Australian instructor Corporal Trevor Catalano said the Iraqi Ranger Battalion was a proud unit and the coalition forces were equally proud to see how the training was hav- ing a positive impact on overall capabilities.
“There are a lot of light bulb moments for them when they’re learning, things can take a little longer through the translation so there is often a lot of pointing to show them what to do,” Cpl Catalano said.
“These guys will get the chance to fire these in live fire and will able to see the effects and I have no doubt they’ll be able to accurately employ these weapons systems by the time we’re finished.” its