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COPYRIGHT 2005 Las Vegas Review-Journal
BYLINE: KEITH ROGERS , REVIEW-JOURNAL
FORT IRWIN, Calif. -- Before U.S. soldiers head overseas to fight terrorists in Iraq and Afghanistan, their last lessons on how best to do it are taught by would-be enemies played by a Nevada National Guard combat team.
From laser-tag jousting with M1A1 Abrams tanks and a gamut of firearms to posing as gun-toting insurgents wearing traditional robes and headdresses, the 500 Nevada soldiers have been leading the opposing charge here at the 1,000-square-mile National Training Center.
Nevada's 1st Squadron, 221st Cavalry inherited the job six months ago when the regular Army's 11th Armored Cavalry regiment was deployed overseas.
In the meantime, commanders say, Nevada's citizen-soldiers have played a vital role in preparing troops that were sent to bolster last month's elections in Iraq.
"I think they were very successful," Lt. Col. Johnny Isaak of Las Vegas said last week while his soldiers honed their tank-firing and life-saving skills at the post, a 165-mile drive southwest of Las Vegas.
"The people...
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