SVK soldiers are proud to have trained yet another group of Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) personnel in mechanical demining

Working under NATO’s training and capacity building in Iraq (NTCB-I), Slovak military instructors are proud to have trained yet another group of Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) personnel. 16 course members have recently graduated successfully from the Mechanical Demining Instructor Course, with a focus on operating the Božena 4 Light Demining System as the key training asset.

The course allowed the ISF participants to familiarise themselves with the principles of planning and conducting mechanical demining training. They received detailed instruction on individual types of demining devices, their functionalities in standard and emergency modes, the safety precautions for operating and handling the Božena 4 Light Demining System, and first aid. In the field phase, the soon-to-be instructors trained hands-on with the Božena 4 Light Demining System and ran train-the-trainer sessions, including the planning process for mechanical demining tactics.

All course members met the standards expected of them and passed the final test. Speaking at the graduation ceremony, the Commandant of the IABDS School, Brigadier Ghanim thanked the Slovak instructors for making the course a success and delivering quality training to the ISF personnel.

SVK personnel are operating in Iraq as part of NATO’s training non-combat activity with the consent of the Republic of Iraq, whereas the conditions of their work on the ground are delineated by international agreements and contractual documents. At the beginning of March (5 March 2018), NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg paid a visit to Camp Besmaya, where he also inspected the demining course being delivered by the SVK instructors. He appreciated their work and thanked them for performing their duties at the highest standard.