Rakkasans prepare to patrol waterways

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Kerensa Hardy | A team of Soldiers from Company A, 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade...... read more read more

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Kerensa Hardy | A team of Soldiers from Company A, 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division patrol the Euphrates River during a demonstration at Patrol Base Kemple, May 5.  see less | View Image Page

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

05.02.2008

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Kerensa Hardy 

3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (AA) Public Affairs

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By Sgt. 1st Class Kerensa Hardy
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division

CAMP STRIKER, Iraq – Most Soldiers who join the Army can honestly say they would have never imagined patrolling the Euphrates River in a boat.

Some Rakkasans will soon be able to say they've done just that.

Company A, 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), is training to operate boats the unit received, May 2.

"I'm pretty excited," said Cpl. Tomas Montoya, Co. A, 3-187th Inf. Regt. "I never thought I'd have the opportunity to work on boats over here in Iraq."

The boats will create new opportunities and capabilities in their operations along the Euphrates River, said Lt. Col. Andrew Rohling, commander of 3-187th Inf. Regt. "They bring a sense of security, strength and versatility the local populace has not always seen from the water."

The boats add invaluable dimensions to the unit's ability to conduct full-spectrum operations, said Maj. Curtis Crum, 3rd BCT operations officer. "The boats give the brigade a unique capability that is not typically resident in this type of unit's arsenal."

The unit's predecessors, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, ordered the boats in November 2007 to conduct riverine operations along the Euphrates to deter insurgent activity. The boats were delivered to 3-187th Inf. Regt., in January.

Since river operations are usually outside the scope of Soldiers' duties, the battalion sent eight Soldiers to Kuwait in January to train on operating the vessels.

"It was excellent, they did great training," said Pfc. Travis Baldridge of the Army divers and Coast Guardsmen who taught the course. Baldridge said the three-week course in Kuwait taught boat docking, engine repair, man-overboard drills, driving the boat under varying conditions, docking the boat and repairing major malfunctions. Now, almost four months later, Baldridge is in the instructor's seat passing on the knowledge he gained in Kuwait.

Baldridge is one of five in Co. A, 3-187th Inf. Regt., training other Soldiers in the unit on boat operations.

"It feels really good to be involved in this," he said. "I'm new to the Army, I've been in for two years and it's nice that they expect me to go above and beyond the standards and to train up other people."

A training plan was established based on the battalion and company commanders' guidance and input from the eight Soldiers who certified in Kuwait.

"The first thing in our mind is the safety of personnel in the boat," said Staff Sgt. Clifton Sanders, lead instructor for a five-day course designed to ensure all Soldiers who man the boats are physically and technically qualified for the task.

The first day, each Soldier has to complete a 50-meter confidence swim while wearing their Army Combat Uniform and boots. They also have to tread water for three minutes wearing ACUs, the improved outer tactical vest, advanced combat helmet and a personal flotation device.

"No weak swimmers or non-swimmers will be allowed on boat operations," Sanders said firmly.

Those who don't meet the standards the first day have an opportunity to retest at the end of the course.

The remaining four days of training cover boat preparation, operation of the boat, battle drills and practical exercises that help prepare Soldiers for situations they may encounter during riverine operations.

"Our first mission will be ... river reconnaissance," Sanders said, an avid swimmer and certified lifeguard who voiced commitment to retraining all weak and non-swimmers.

Before executing any actual missions, Soldiers will identify potential hazards, determine loading and departure points and seek out areas frequented by criminal factions.

"The boats allow the Rakkasans to deter illegal activity and deter insurgents from potentially using the river to transit weapons and personnel," Crum said.

"As a BCT, we have added to an already incredible capability, and this ensures, as we continue to assist the government of Iraq and Iraqi security forces in stabilizing acceptable security levels, it will also foster systems that set conditions for long-term Iraqi self-reliance."