Italian military instructors have started a new cycle of training activities including the 7 ° basic infantry course in favor of 250 peshmerga.
The training cycle, coordinated and directed by the Italian-led multinational KTCC (Kurdish Training Coordination Center), will have a total duration of 5 weeks and aims to provide the Kurdish military with the basic preparation of the infantry soldier.
The activities that will be carried out, include individual combat training, knowledge of the procedures for providing the IED threat (against improvised explosive devices), the use of the 60mm mortar, first aid, planning and conduct of activities defensive and offensive tactics in different operating environments and in particular situations including those conducted in built-up areas.
At the same time, the instructors of the A&A (Advise and Assist) team of the Italian contingent started training on the use of artillery for 20 officers peshmerga.
The representatives of ministry of peshmerga, equivalent of the Ministry of Defense, expressed words of appreciation to the commander of the KTCC (Kurdish Training Coordination Center) for the training activity carried out which contributed to the success of the military operations conducted against the fighters of the Daesh (ISIS).
The training course, lasting 3 weeks, includes multiple technical activities such as the use of both the 120 mm smooth-core mortar and the D-30 artillery weapon system from 122 mm supplied with the Kurdish Security Forces, the topographic preparation for the orientation of the artillery pieces in the deployment area, the calculation of the shooting data, the radio communications for the observation of the shot and the fire discipline.
In addition, staff from the Italian command staff are training other Kurdish 30 officers on the use of procedures and methods of military intelligence.
The Italian contingent, located in Iraqi Kurdistan and composed of approximately 200 men and women, has trained beyond 2000 since last January peshmerga out of a total of about 5000 trained by the trainers of the international coalition which sees personnel from 7 European nations (Italy, Germany, Great Britain, Norway, Finland, Holland and Hungary) work in Erbil.
