1-9 FA denies enemy access to key terrain

Photo By Staff Sgt. David Lankford | Spc. Mikkia Newsome, 514th Maintenance Company out of Fort Drum, N.Y., leans into the M107 .50-caliber long range sniper rifle from a concealed position over-watching the terrain denial patrol. A well trained designated marksman can engage targets out to 2,000 meters with deadly accuracy. This has earned the Philadelphia, Pa., native the nickname, "Bad Person Beware."  

BALAD, IRAQ

11.09.2007

Story by Sgt. David Lankford 

316th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary)

By Staff Sgt. Dave Lankford
316th Expeditionary Sustainment Command

LOGISTICS SUPPORT AREA ANACONDA, Iraq – Every military operation begins with security. The 1st Battalion, 9th Field Artillery is charged with terrain denial, which is an essential piece of this mission.

The villages and farms surrounding the logistics support area here were at one time home to countless insurgents, and the townspeople and farmers were either powerless or too frightened to do anything about it. The result was frequent and well aimed indirect fire attacks which earned the camp its infamous nickname "Mortaritaville."

In order to disrupt these attacks it is necessary to first determine where they are being launched from. This key terrain must then be occupied by friendly forces to deny access to the enemy. This is called terrain denial.

"The intelligence gurus send us where they think we're most likely to get an indirect fire attack from. We go there to interdict, to make sure the anti-Iraqi forces don't have maneuver capability to use that terrain against us. We go there so they can't," said 2nd Lt. Andrew Holler, A Battery, 1st Platoon Leader, 1-9 FA.

There are several options when conducting terrain denial operations. The first is mounted patrols. This type of patrol offers several benefits including the ability to cover large areas in a short amount of time. It also offers the security of an up-armored vehicle as protection from small arms fire and improvised explosive device attacks.

The second is static mounted terrain denial. This is much the same as a mounted patrol and offers the same security benefits. The major difference is the patrol takes ground and holds it. This is not a roving patrol. It is exactly as it is described: static.

The final option is among the most effective methods of terrain denial, however, it is also the most risky. It is the dismounted patrol.

"The dismounted patrols are very effective because the enemy can see the trucks coming; trucks make a lot of noise. As we dismount it gives us the ability to spread out more. We can cover more terrain at one time and it also gets us eyes in places where the vehicles can't get us," said Holler.

When conducting a dismounted patrol there is nothing between the friendly forces and the enemy but fresh, clean air. This type of patrol requires teamwork, experience and nerves of steel.

"I've got a really sharp group of NCOs (non-commissioned officers). We work really well together. We've established a way of doing things so the NCOs don't have to give the Soldiers much instruction," said Holler. "Everyone just knows their place."

With the sound of explosions and small arms fire in the distance and dogs barking all around one would think it would be difficult to focus on the mission. This ability comes with experience, and is not only crucial to accomplishing the mission, but the survival of the men on the patrol.

"When we first got here we wanted to react to everything. You'd hear an explosion and you'd want to run and get everyone back in the trucks. It's in no way complacency, but you learn: 'ok, that's small arms fire. I'm going to make a note of it but is it really affecting what I'm doing here,'" said Holler.

An obvious result of the terrain denial mission is the decrease in effective mortar attacks on the camp, but one benefit most Soldiers never get a chance to see is the effect on the surrounding communities.

"We have a pretty good presence in the villages. There are places that are less friendly than others, but we try to interact with the people as much as possible and build rapport with them," said Holler.

Holler also believes many people see the intelligence reports which predict likely attacks, and when the attacks don't occur they just assume it was due to poor intelligence.

"They put the predicted attack slides out all the time and I think it's important not to write them off. People look at the slides and think they predicted an attack and it didn't happen," said Holler. "Well, there's a pretty good chance we were out there making sure it didn't happen."

• Date Taken: 11.09.2007
• Date Posted: 11.09.2007 17:54
• Story ID: 13785
• Location: BALAD, IQ