Iraqi medic Saif Salim Hassan (center), 17th IA Division, locates the area to stick a needle for a collapsed lung during Basic Combat Lifesaving training at Joint Security Station Knight, July 29. Photo by Spc. Ruth McClary, 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team.

This was the third class in a series of eight in which squadron medics Sgt. Jim Slaughter and Sgt. Edward Woolwine teach medical skills to their Iraqi partners, then return in two weeks to observe their former students teaching those same skills to their junior enlisted Soldiers.

"The purpose of the training is to help the Iraqis train their junior enlisted Basic Combat Lifesaving techniques," said Slaughter.

Needle decompression and patient assessment were the topics of the day as Iraqi medic Saif Salim Hassan, 17th Iraqi Army Division, taught the class while Slaughter and Woolwine observed.

The most recent class began with one student, but ended with nearly 10 Soldiers who stopped to observe and ask questions.

"We don't have enough trained medics," said Iraqi Warrant Officer Thair Azwoz Hassan. "It's hard to get the soldiers here from the checkpoints for the training because they are too far away."

“We train a few here and they can go out to the checkpoints to train the others," said Slaughter.

Slaughter and Woolwine provided instructions in English and Arabic for the Iraqi medics. They also brought medical supplies for training aids and left enough supplies for the Iraqis to train their Soldiers.

"They are very receptive and appreciative of us going out there to help them out," said Woolwine.

"I would like to see them go through the crawl, walk and run method before I go," said Capt. Urlin Mathews, the grader and overseer of the classes.

"This is a great opportunity for our guys to work with their counterparts," said Mathews. "Today was a successful day."