A national training center in California is the final place for many U.S. Soldiers before they're sent abroad. 23 News Reporter Natalie Kaplan has the story on a Machesney Park Officer whose stationed there right now helping with troop training.

It looks, feels, and sounds like the heart of Iraq. Instead its the National Training Center in Fort Irwin California, and the people who help make the simulated war zone come alive are the soldiers assigned to the oppositional force.

SPC Paul Anderson of Machesney Park says,"My main job out here is to try and sell things to the soldiers. Let them see that Iraqi's have sense of humors, Iraqi's are fun people but then on the flip side I'm also a counter inteligist for the terror cell. So, I have to try and get information from them too."

Their job is to train U.S. Service Members about to deploy to Iraq or Afghanistan by playing the part of foreign citizens and enemy insurgents. "So they know what to expect a little bit better. Our training here is teaching them how to react. Make sure everyone comes home alive", says Paul Anderson.

Soldiers say playing the part of the opposition gives valuable lesson before head off to dangerous places.