Story and photo by Cpl. Daniel Eddy, 196th MPAD, 25th Inf. Div., USD-C              BAGHDAD—Iraqi Army Soldiers learned combat life saving techniques Jan. 5 during a two-day course taught by 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, United States Division – Center Soldiers at Forward Operating Base Constitution, Iraq.These Iraqi Soldiers recently graduated from basic training and are now attending the CLS class before heading to advanced individual training.By training the Iraqis, U.S. Soldiers hope the tasks learned will be contagious, and Iraqis will start teaching each other.“A lot of these Soldiers are picking it up extremely quickly,” said Sgt. Ian Faling, senior line medic with Company B, 1st Battalion, 63rd Armor Regiment, 2nd AAB and a Jackson, Mich., native. “So we can already see in these classes that the ones that are picking it up a lot quicker are already training other Soldiers. We hope that this class will give them the starting point they need to (continue) training other Soldiers (after the course).”Faling said he believes they understand the training extremely well. They are enjoying the training, eager to learn, and are putting 100 percent effort into the training days.Faling said there have been no complications in training the Iraqi Soldiers, and the language barrier is not nearly as great a challenge as he thought it would be. He said by the use of hand motions and a lot of hands-on training, the Iraqis are understanding the concept of CLS quickly—even to the point that when U.S. Soldiers start explaining the technique, the Iraqis will understand what needs to be done even before the interpreter can translate.U.S. forces teaching the Iraqis medical tasks demonstrate one of the paramount goals behind Operation New Dawn—partnership.“It’s a great opportunity for both our Soldiers and their Soldiers in this partnership,” Faling said. “It gives (Iraqi) Soldiers a chance to get up close and personal with (American) Soldiers. It shows that we care and show us that they care. It’s great training for both of us.”Faling said most U.S. medics involved with the course are on their first deployment and have never had the chance to work with Iraqis before, but love the opportunity.“It’s fun,” said Spc. Brian Cross, a medic with Company C, 299th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd AAB and a West Islip, N.Y., native, and one of five medics training the Iraqis. “It’s like seeing ourselves in basic training and AIT all over again. They are really interested in the material. They ask a lot of questions that frankly … are a lot more in depth than I thought people at a basic level would ask.”Cross said, thus far, training the Iraqis is his favorite part of the deployment. He said he has been looking forward to it all week and it is even better than what originally thought.The CLS training also demonstrates the Iraqis are learning to stabilize themselves as they carry on the missions and the U.S. continues to draw down its forces.Sgt. Amzi, with the 6th Division, Iraqi Army, said he likes taking CLS training, which can save a friend’s life or possibly his own life in the future.Amzi said it was an honor for him to be able to serve his country and wants to protect his fellow Iraqis.“Some people work in a hospital, some go to school … somebody has to save the people,” he said. “So I volunteered to save these people. My (purpose) is to save the people.”Amzi said he, along with all Iraqis, wants Iraq to develop and become stronger and safer as time continues.Faling said on his last deployment he was frequently out on combat patrols and was focused on countering roadside bombs. This deployment is about building up the Iraqi Army so they can handle situations themselves. “I am extremely excited for this deployment,” he said. “The difference between this deployment and last deployment is so great. The Iraqi Army seems like they have come so far in just two years and it shows that they are going to be able to take care of their own country.”