Multi-National Division - Brigade soldiers, Iraqi security force patrol western Baghdad daily

Photo By Staff Sgt. James Hunter | An Iraqi army soldier with the 2nd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 6th Iraqi army division,...... read more read more

Photo By Staff Sgt. James Hunter | An Iraqi army soldier with the 2nd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 6th Iraqi army division, pulls security while on patrol with Soldiers from the 2nd Platoon, Troop A, 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, south of Bakariyah in western Baghdad, March 7. The Soldiers patrolled the area looking for possible locations of home made explosives.  see less | View Image Page

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

03.12.2008

Story by Staff Sgt. James Hunter 

2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (AA) Public Affairs

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By Sgt. James Hunter
2nd Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs,
101st Airborne Division, Multi-National Division - Brigade

BAGHDAD – Prior to leaving on mission, jokes are passed around – almost daring the opposition to make a move. The troops joke about improvised-explosive devices striking their vehicles as if they aren't scared of the possibility of an explosion ripping through the door and possibly taking their life. It's a realistic fact however, the troops carry on without worry because there is a mission to conduct.

When it's game time— with full gear donned and weapon status at red— the jokes nearly cease and they begin scanning their sector – willing and ready to face any threat the enemy poses.

Soldiers with the 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, attached to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Multi-National Division – Baghdad, patrol through the western Baghdad neighborhoods of Ameriyah and Bakariyah daily with Iraqi army soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 6th Iraqi army division, in an attempt to deter enemy actions and interact with local citizens within the communities.

Their combined effort in securing these communities is just one of the many tools utilized to allow reconciliation efforts to succeed.

During a recent mission March 7, Soldiers from 2nd Platoon of Troop A patrolled alongside their Iraqi army counterparts in an attempt to quell the making and distribution of homemade explosives south of Bakariyah.

There had been reports of HME being used and stored in the area, said Sgt. Joshua Carter, a native of Jonesboro, Ark. The explosives have been used in recent attacks in Ameriyah, and the Soldiers wanted to identify possible locations where the materials could be stored.

Dismounted, they moved through the area side-by-side with the IA troops rummaging through small huts, stationary vehicles, piles of trash, junk on the roadways, and talked with many of the local citizens in the area.

The area is very rural, with approximately 12 homes in the farmland community. Palm groves surround the very rough terrain as children stand outside their homes waiting for the soldiers to approach.

"Mista, mista, chocolate," the children said with excitement.

They shake hands with the children, pat them on the head, and some even kneel down on one knee to speak with the children. The Iraqi children seem to get a kick out of talking with the MND-B troops. Yes, there is the language barrier; however, given the fact American forces have patrolled the area for nearly five years, they seem to understand each other quite easily.

Their interaction with the Iraqi citizens is key, said Sgt. Donghee Kim, a native of Orange County, Calif. "It's really important to get the communication right with the locals."

The troops often ask if anyone outside the area has recently entered, which can be a sign of explosives trafficking through the area.

"Do you ever see anyone from the outside the village enter this village," asked 1st Lt. Jared Graham, a native of Escondido, Calif., while speaking with an elderly Iraqi woman as they passed through a palm grove.

She said the area is very quiet and not too often does she run into outsiders.

The patrol was a success, with no indication of HME-related material being used or stored in the area, said Carter, a squad leader with 2nd Platoon. However, the soldiers were able to log many individuals within the area into the Handheld Interagency Identity Detection Equipment system, otherwise known as HIIDE.

It is a biometric identification database where Soldiers can quickly input and access certain information pertaining to the Iraqis within the community. It stores such information as the name, age, address, fingerprints and retinal of the individual.

"This is my first time getting hands on with the machine," said Kim, who scanned their retinas and obtained fingerprints and background information. He said he believes it is a very good system, which will allow Soldiers to store information in accordance with the area they patrol.

"It's a big factor in helping us succeed," added Carter.

Another factor in their mission success is the improving abilities of the Iraqi security forces.

The Soldiers also often patrol throughout Ameriyah and Bakariyah, visiting IA and Iraqi police checkpoints to assess how well they are performing their job.

The IP and IA are manning their own checkpoints and entry control points throughout the area. Carter said.

"For the most part, they are doing a lot better since I was here two years ago," he said. "(They are) still a bit rough around the edges, but they are really coming along. I see potential in them."

During a two-day mission earlier in the month, MND-B soldiers and Iraqi security forces, working side-by-side with the Son's of Iraq (Abna al-Iraq), conducted a detailed search of homes in Ameriyah.

Taking the lead in the operation were the Iraqi army troops from 2/1/6 IA. The combined operation was coordinated during an ISF meeting between Col. Hassan, the 2/1/6 IA commander; Abu Abed, the leader of the Sons of Iraq in Ameriyah; and Hafath, the local Iraqi police chief.

They were targeting certain individuals who were wanted for previous criminal activities; however, they were unable to capture the individuals. They did, however, locate a small weapons cache and a terrorist training video.

"Further proof that the Iraqis can and are standing up to take the lead," said Lt. Col. Monty Willoughby, commander, 4-10 Cav. Regt.

Side-by-side with their Iraqi counterparts, the Soldiers will continue to patrol throughout Ameriyah and Bakariyah in an attempt to deter enemy activity, thus helping to pave the way for reconciliation.