bobdina
05-27-2010, 06:41 PM
German Army Steps up Combat Training for Afghan Mission
German soldiers om a mine-sweeping operation in Kunduz, northern Afghanistan, this month.
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REUTERS
German soldiers om a mine-sweeping operation in Kunduz, northern Afghanistan, this month.
The German army is bracing for more Taliban attacks on its forces this summer following two deadly ambushes in April. It is intensifying combat training for soldiers about to be deployed in Afghanistan. Soldiers are being taught how to fight their way out of ambushes, how to maneuver in armored vehicles and how to treat wounded comrades while under fire.
The German army, or Bundeswehr, has stepped up combat training for soldiers about to to be deployed in Afghanistan following two deadly ambushes in April in which seven German soldiers were killed.
Infantry units are practicing tactics for fighting their way out of ambushes by Taliban insurgents, and "Dingo" armored vehicles have been made available to them to train evasive maneuvers at the Bundeswehr training center in Hammelburg, southern Germany.
There was heavy criticism in of the lack of training available to German troops in Afghanistan following the April 2 attack. It emerged that in many cases, soldiers don't get a chance to train with "Dingos" until they are on the ground in Afghanistan.
The German army expects further bloody encounters with the Taliban in the months to come. Military planners have added first aid for bullet wounds and the removal of heavily wounded soldiers under enemy fire to the fixed training program for soldiers getting ready for a tour of duty in Afghanistan.
Soldiers are also being prepared for joint operations with the US Army and Afghanistan security forces.
Germany currently has some 4,350 troops in Afghanistan, making it the third-biggest foreign military presence there after the US and Britain.
The April attacks have prompted the German government to rush heavy artillery and additional armored vehicles to Afghanistan.
German soldiers om a mine-sweeping operation in Kunduz, northern Afghanistan, this month.
Zoom
REUTERS
German soldiers om a mine-sweeping operation in Kunduz, northern Afghanistan, this month.
The German army is bracing for more Taliban attacks on its forces this summer following two deadly ambushes in April. It is intensifying combat training for soldiers about to be deployed in Afghanistan. Soldiers are being taught how to fight their way out of ambushes, how to maneuver in armored vehicles and how to treat wounded comrades while under fire.
The German army, or Bundeswehr, has stepped up combat training for soldiers about to to be deployed in Afghanistan following two deadly ambushes in April in which seven German soldiers were killed.
Infantry units are practicing tactics for fighting their way out of ambushes by Taliban insurgents, and "Dingo" armored vehicles have been made available to them to train evasive maneuvers at the Bundeswehr training center in Hammelburg, southern Germany.
There was heavy criticism in of the lack of training available to German troops in Afghanistan following the April 2 attack. It emerged that in many cases, soldiers don't get a chance to train with "Dingos" until they are on the ground in Afghanistan.
The German army expects further bloody encounters with the Taliban in the months to come. Military planners have added first aid for bullet wounds and the removal of heavily wounded soldiers under enemy fire to the fixed training program for soldiers getting ready for a tour of duty in Afghanistan.
Soldiers are also being prepared for joint operations with the US Army and Afghanistan security forces.
Germany currently has some 4,350 troops in Afghanistan, making it the third-biggest foreign military presence there after the US and Britain.
The April attacks have prompted the German government to rush heavy artillery and additional armored vehicles to Afghanistan.