Iraqi troops dumping Kalashnikovs in favor of U.S. M-16s
BAGHDAD — The Iraq Army is replacing Soviet-origin arms, replacing them with U.S. light weapons.
The Iraq Army has been equipping its soldiers with the U.S.-origin M-16
and the M-4 rifles. Officials said the U.S. weapons were replacing the
Soviet-origin
AK-47 Kalashnikov, for decades the staple of the Iraqi military.
"The process began nearly a year ago and has now accelerated," an
official said. "Our weapon of choice is the M-16."
On Nov. 20, the army provided U.S. light weapons to a new Iraqi brigade.
In a ceremony, nearly 1,800 members of the 45th Brigade, 11th Infantry
Division completed 21 days of training with U.S. weapons.
"The three weeks at the range consists of weapons issue and training,
first-aid, ethics, vehicle operations and close quarters marksmanship
training," a U.S. military statement said. "The 45/11 took delivery of
nearly 1,300 new M-16 and M-4 rifles during their training."
M-16 instruction has been taking place at the Besmaya Range Combat Range
Center, the largest such facility in Iraq. The army has adopted a system
termed "Unit Set Fielding," which provides an entire army unit with
equipment and training.
Officials said most of the army remains equipped with the AK-47. They
said M-16 and M-4 deliveries would be accelerated in 2009.
