Soldiers, civilians are battlefield partners

Courtesy Photo | Sgt. Michael Zimmerle, 2-3rd Brigade Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, provides security during an ePRT engagement at Mahmudiyah Nov. 2.  

ISKANDARIYAH, IRAQ

11.30.2007

Courtesy Story

Multi-National Division-Central

Sgt. Jason Stadel
2nd BCT, 3rd Inf. Div. PAO

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – Since May security in Hawr Rajab and Arab Jabour has improved to the point where Coalition Force missions are no longer solely "kill or capture" missions. Now, many missions focus on developing the infrastructure, which means there are more civilians on the battlefield helping to rebuild Iraq.

To be prepared for battlefield operations, Soldiers of the 2-3rd Brigade Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division took time to train American civilians on the basics of first aid and combat patrol operations Nov. 26.

The 2-3rd BTB combat patrols that consisted solely of U.S. Soldiers in the past are now always carrying U.S. State Department employees who are a part of the embedded provincial reconstruction team, said Master Sgt. Michael Howle, 2-3rd BTB operations sergeant major. Although the ePRT members are civilians, their risk of being wounded by enemy actions is the same as a Soldier's.

"Almost 90 percent of our missions are ePRT related," Howle said. "The civilians need to know what to expect and what our methods are if something happens."

The ePRT is working to create jobs, restore essential services such as electricity and water, improve schools and boost the economy.

To give the civilians an idea of what happens should the combat patrol come under attack, the civilians were briefed on the procedures during a sniper attack, an improvised explosive device attack, recovery operations, medical evacuation procedures and basic first aid procedures.

Members of the ePRT see the training as a team-building exercise between the civilians and the Soldiers.

"The sooner we build upon the functionality of the team, the sooner it's going to be better for everybody," said Bruce Bailey, ePRT deputy chief.

Some of the information taught during the class was a refresher course for the members of the ePRT as some have military or first aid experience. Bailey has experience as a volunteer firefighter and was trained as a first responder. He said he learned new first aid techniques during the military first aid class.

Mariam Youmara, the team's bi-lingual, bi-cultural advisor, is an American citizen that emigrated from Iraq in 1976. She is also certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and other types of first aid. Youmara said, while there are risks involved with going out in convoys, she feels better about going out on missions because of the professionalism of the Soldiers.

"I'm impressed with how they work," Youmara said. "When I ride with them I feel secure."

Bailey said the missions encompass the best of what the U.S. government has to offer the citizens of Iraq. "If we continue to work together; we'll be able to build these communities."

All of the ePRT civilians were provided with Army improved first aid kits by the 2-3rd BTB.

• Date Taken: 11.30.2007
• Date Posted: 11.30.2007 15:22
• Story ID: 14319
• Location: ISKANDARIYAH, IQ