Three Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company Marines recently taught Iraqi troops how to call in fire support, according to Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve.

The Marines from 4th ANGLICO deployed from Jordan to Al Taqaddum Air Base, where they conducted forward observer training with artillery and infantry officers from the 1st, 8th and 10th Iraqi army divisions, which make up the Anbar Operations Command, the task force told Marine Corps Times.

"The course was progressive and included utilizing the Iraqi call for fire, which is different from the U.S. call for fire," according to the task force. "The idea was to make them proficient in their own techniques rather than forcing a U.S. system on them that they wouldn't use.  

"After classroom time, the students moved to observation positions and then used digital training aids such as a computer simulator to practice adjusting fires and utilizing proper communications procedures. To finish off the course, the Iraqi observers called in live fire missions supported by army artillery fire."

The three Marines were in Iraq as part of the Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task ­Force-Crisis Response-Central Command, according to the task force. ANGLICO teams consist of a total of five Marines — the other two Marines in the team are supporting other missions in the fight against Islamic State fighters.

"We had great success with the course, so we'll look to replicate it again in the future and ask for follow on support," the task force said.

Separately, Marine snipers from Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, taught advanced marksmanship to 15 Iraqi students, said Maj. David Palacio, of Task Force Al Taqaddum.

"The course was also two weeks and had a lead Australian instructor with augmentation from Lima 3/7's snipers," Palacio said. "The course included shots out to 500 meters and also included a 200-meter night shoot that was supported by 155mm illumination provided by [the 82nd Airborne Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team]."

On March 25, Army Maj. Gen. Joseph Martin, head of Combined Joint Forces Land Component Command, tweeted a picture of Cpl. Zach Burzee providing sniper training to Iraqi students along with the hashtags: "#OohRah #SemperFi #OneTeam #Mosul #Iraq."

Burzee and other instructors were conducting the advanced marksmanship course at the same time as the ANGLICO training, Palacio said.

"He has historically been tied in closely with my fires cell since the snipers were used for missions across the base," Palacio said.  "He's assisted in live fire artillery several times with fires observation, but he was not rolled up in the ANGLICO course."

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