ANA Kandak receives first M-16s for field training
By G. A. Volb
Camp Alamo Public Affairs
CAMP ALAMO, Afghanistan – Afghan National Army recruit Mirza Budin, 24, sat with dozens of his fellow Kandak soldiers on the parade field, March 2, putting his new M16 through functional checks.
For much of the morning he leered at the weapon like a teen on his birthday, having received the one present he looked forward to getting.
Budin, a member of Kandak 102 here at the Kabul Military Training Center, is among the first to get the new rifles in hand during training. For their Kandak it was week seven and coalition mentors were busy explaining the nuances of the new weapon to them.
“I’m not sure yet, but I think it’ll be good,” said the clean-shaven soldier when asked what he thought about the addition. “Based on what I’ve been told, it’s a very good rifle, but I haven’t had an opportunity to shoot it yet. I’m looking forward to using it.”
As are the rest of the Kandak if the cheers let out during the training is any indication; but first things first – as training in the use and maintenance of the M16 is the most important aspect, according to instructors.
“Compared to the M16, AK-47s require little maintenance,” said Lt. Col. Sean Nikkila, KMTC Mentor Group Operations Officer. “They do not need to be cleaned as often, and are easy to handle. M16s require regular cleaning, which is a new concept to many of the ANA soldiers who are familiar with the AK-47.”
The 38-year-old officer from Tigard, Ore., said while the AK-47 is easier to maintain, they’re not very accurate.
“Only a very experienced marksman will be effective past 150 meters with the AK47,” said Nikkila. “M16s are very accurate for a moderately trained marksman to distances up to 350 meters or greater. This makes the M16 a very valuable weapon in terrain with large distances where ANA soldiers may be able to engage anti-coalition forces beyond the range of an AK-47 used by the enemy. M16s also use the standard 5.56mm NATO round. This allows the ANA to utilize ammunition provided by coalition countries that is of high quality and compatible with other NATO weapons.
These advantages aren’t lost on the ANA soldiers now roaming the training center ranges.
“Soldiers are impressed with the M16,” said Nikkila. “The rifles are in very good condition when compared to the AK-47s they had. Since the M16 has been in the US inventory for over 40 years, we have high quality training materials that have been well tested over the years.”
ANA instructor MSG Zabi Ullah said the major “challenge will be in getting accustomed to the weapon. They’ll need to get comfortable with it, but so far the response has been good from those receiving the rifle. I hope they remain positive.”
Zabi, a five-year veteran of the ANA, said Kandak 102 will soon get to use their new weapons in a comprehensive field training exercise. “To complete their training, the soldiers will take part in an exercise testing their ability to implement squad movements, ambush tactics and firing at night.”
To ensure the soldiers are ready for the test, Basic Warrior Training mentors include eight days of M16 specific training in their schedule.
“The biggest difference will be in the zeroing and qualification,” said Lt. Col. Bradley Perrier, BWT Senior Mentor. “With the M16, the soldiers are required to zero their weapon, and then qualify it. Each soldier has a different target and will know if they truly qualify. With the AK-47, the soldiers shot at the same targets previous soldiers fired on and really had no idea if they had effectively put a bullet in a silhouette. With the M16 they know without a doubt.”
While Kandak 102 was the first to receive their M16s, the swap out came in week seven. According to Perrier, Kandak 106 gets theirs in week two – right before Basic Rifle Marksmanship training begins.
“Up to this point the ANA soldiers have been extremely engaged,” said Perrier, from Whitehouse, Texas. “The soldiers were attentive and learned quickly.
Having already put their training to work on the range, soldiers from the 102nd Kandak still remain optimistic.
Following his turn on the range zeroing in his weapon Private Nazif Ullah, 20, from Baghlan Province, said “We were familiar with the AK-47 … the resilience of it was good. We just received the M16 now and don’t know how tough it is, but after firing it I’d have to say it’s better than the AK-47.” His partner agreed.
“In my opinion the M16 is better than the AK-47 because I’ve fired both,” said Private Akhteyar Ahmad, 26, from Ningarhar Province. “I found the M16 better in marksmanship. I shot three rounds with the AK and didn’t’ hit the target at all. I shot three with the M16 and hit the target twice.” It makes for a good feeling for everyone involved.
“They’re really excited about it,” said SFC John Schmidt, a 38 year old from Lawton, Okla.., and BWT mentor. “They’re more excited about this than anything else we’ve been teaching them up to this point.”
