Paratroopers own night in air assault mission

Photo By Staff Sgt. Jon Soles | Spc. Brian Segalla of Las Vegas pulls security during an air assault mission, July 31....... read more read more

Photo By Staff Sgt. Jon Soles | Spc. Brian Segalla of Las Vegas pulls security during an air assault mission, July 31. Segalla is a forward observer assigned to B Troop, 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division. Segalla said he enjoys being a Soldier in the famed 82nd Airborne Division. "If I was not airborne, I would rather not be in the Army at all," said Segalla. "Airborne is the way to go."  see less | View Image Page

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

08.04.2009

Story by Sgt. Jon Soles 

Multi-National Division Baghdad

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BAGHDAD — The heavy beating of rotor blades pierces the quiet of the night in farmland east of Baghdad and a dust cloud kicks up, almost concealing the two huge helicopters dimly outlined under the moonlight. Almost as soon as the helicopters touch the ground, ramps drop and dozens of American Soldiers, Iraqi soldiers and federal police storm out into the night and immediately snap into defensive positions.

The two CH-47 Chinooks take off and disappear almost as quickly as they arrived. Left in the darkness in a farmer's field, with its plowed rows sharp and hardened from the desert heat, the paratroopers move out toward their objectives along a series of dirt roads. But it's the Iraqis who are in front. It is their mission, and the paratroopers stand by watching and advising their counterparts.

This combat air assault mission, Operation Am Lyia Laith Mejnaha Arba'ah, is nothing new to the paratroopers of the 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, but it's a capstone event that puts into real practice everything the Iraqi soldiers and police have learned from two chalks of highly motivated 82nd Airborne Division paratroopers.

"This is really a fulfilling mission because you see real gains and progress," said Capt. Andrew Rohrer, the commanding officer of B Troop, 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division. "Now we've got these guys [Iraqis] in the lead and their success is measurable."

The Iraqis come to a dry canal, about seven feet deep, and clamber up and down where they are stopped by a barbed wire fence. They help each other cross and keep their formation, heading toward some houses. Rohrer, an artillery officer, stands by and watches, while keeping in touch with his other paratroopers by radio.

"I can work with their lieutenants on troop-leading movements," said Rohrer, a native of Grand Rapids, Mich. "I've got PFCs [privates first class] running right beside Iraqi PFCs teaching marksmanship."

Close behind the Iraqis are the paratroopers, who stop at intervals to give advice or a critique of the Iraqis' performance. Capt. Andrew Decker, an intelligence officer assigned to the 9th Iraqi Army Military Transition Team, confers with Iraqi Army Lt. Col. Fathil Hassan Al-Dulimay to offer advice on the Iraqi movements.

"Partnership missions like this one are critical for the eventual handover of security to the Iraqis," said Decker, a native of Port Angeles, Wash. "Both sides benefit from the partnership."

Hassan, who is the highest ranking Iraqi officer on the mission, expresses praise for their performance under the tutelage of the American Army.

"They were tasked to do a search in this area with the U.S. Army," said Hassan. "I think they were trained very professionally by the U.S. Army. I think they received very proper training to execute any kind of mission."

The Iraqis continue to push through fields, hedgerows, crossing ditches and canals, with their American partners behind them. They search several houses, but find no weapons. They keep pushing through, while hours pass and the moon finally sets beneath the horizon. If the Iraqis meet the enemy, they are prepared — backed by the firepower of the paratroopers. Spc. Brian Segalla is a fairly new paratrooper, with about two years in the Army. But he stands ready with his weapon and radio, ready to call in whatever firepower is needed if the joint force runs into trouble.

"I'm pulling security for the commanding officer of B Troop, by providing him with any fire support he may need," said Segalla, a forward observer from Las Vegas, who is assigned to B Troop, 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd BCT, 82nd Airborne Div. "That could be anything from mortars to artillery to protect the troops and lives of our men."

After about six hours, the Iraqis conclude their searches. They did not find any enemy activity or weapons caches, but their presence in the night is a sign that they are becoming more aggressive against insurgents. The paratroopers wouldn't have it any other way.

"They're more disciplined, more motivated. We've been able to rejuvenate and raise the motivation for what they're doing," said Rohrer.

The two Chinooks are back on the scene in a flash, and the paratroopers and Iraqis quickly jump on board. The helicopters disappear into the night, leaving the field peaceful and serene. The only thing left behind to mark the air assault are the boot prints of Americans and Iraqis — evidence that it's the good guys who rule the night, and not the insurgents.