BEIRUT, LEBANON, Aug. 23 (ChinaMil) -- Chinese and Italian peacekeepers to Lebanon held a joint emergency defense and medical rescue training exercise at the shooting range in the headquarters of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) on Tuesday morning.
The training, centering on the assembly and disassembly of light weapons, practical shooting and medical rescue, involved more than 60 officers and soldiers from both sides. The training has improved their defense shooting and emergency medical rescue capabilities and laid a solid foundation for effectively implementing the UN peacekeeping operations in the future.
The first step to carry out joint training was to get familiar with each other’s operation and use of weapons and equipment. The peacekeepers from both sides needed some time to adjust because their weapons are different in performance as well as shooting methods and target identifications.
Prior to the training, the two sides respectively introduced the performance, structure and operation of the QBZ-95 automatic rifle and the Beretta ARX-160 assault rifle. Chinese and Italian peacekeepers got the first-hand experience of shooting skills such as holding, aiming and shooting of the two rifles.
The shooting training consisted of basic shooting, tactical shooting and group-coordinated tactical shooting. The trainees shot in standing and kneeling positions and conducted group fast shooting at a fixed target at a distance of 100 meters. The Chinese and Italian participating peacekeepers used weapons from each other and all achieved good results.
"The rich experience in carrying out overseas missions has laid out a good foundation for Italian officers and soldiers. They can adapt quickly to different weapons," said Chinese peacekeeper Corporal Ma Hui. He added that he also had in-depth exchange on defense shooting training and the implementation of overseas missions with two Italian sergeants from the same group.
Besides, the medical rescue exchanges were held by both sides’ medical teams. The two sides demonstrated hemostasis, dressing and cardiopulmonary resuscitation centering on emergency rescue and evacuation.
Leaders of the Chinese peacekeeping force to Lebanon introduced that Chinese and Italian peacekeepers have conducted extensive interactions in sports competitions, traditional culture and other aspects before the joint training. They have established such emergency response mechanisms as information exchange and coordination. Based on their respective mandate missions, the two sides will further increase exchanges and make greater contributions to peace in southern Lebanon within the framework of UNIFIL.
