Posted on 02/08/2008 3:26:13 PM PST by SandRat
BESMAYA — The Iraqi Army’s Presidential Brigade turned over their older AK-47 model rifles for newer and more accurate M-16s at Besmaya Range Complex here, Feb. 5. The weapons were issued using the biometrics system, which ties each Soldier’s photograph, fingerprint, voice, retinal scan and name to the weapon they receive for accountability. After receiving the weapons, the Soldiers received training from Besmaya’s staff. The training is broken up into three days.
The first day, the Soldiers are taught basic marksmanship instruction, which includes disassembly and assembly, care and maintenance, body position, and trigger squeeze.
The second and third days consist of the Soldiers firing their weapons to zero the sights in for each Soldier’s eye and to qualify him with the rifle.
“The M-16 is a very good weapon,” said Iraqi Army 2nd Lt. Soren, an officer in the Presidential Brigade. “It is the best weapon (since the Kalashnikov).”
The M-16s were purchased via Foreign Military Sales, a program that allows Iraq to purchase military equipment, materiel, and services using their own money from foreign countries. Foreign Military Sales is a very regimented program that provides a transparent and documented process to all 126 member nations.
“The M-16 is a very good weapon,” said Iraqi Army 2nd Lt. Soren, an officer in the Presidential Brigade. “It is the best weapon (since the Kalashnikov).”
Notice the bureaucratic doublespeak. The M16 is the ONLY rifle since the Kalashnikov. There are stars in LT Soren's future.
There’s nothing wrong with the M-16. It is more accurate, lighter than an AK-47 and the soldier can carry more rounds for the same weight. It is not the AK-47 and has a lighter round. There are other weapons in the US inventory to replace the heavier AK.
The M-14 and FN-FAL put into service in the mid 1950’s, almost a decade after the AK-47, and they are two of the finest rifles ever made.
LOL! I love all the Colt employees and Pentagon Dancers who spam these M16 threads.
Unfortunately I have actually used the things. So spare me the propaganda.
Which version of the 16? The open 3 sided open ended flash suppressor or the enclosed flash suppressor type?
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