Iraq Badger vehicle tackles route clearance

Photo By Staff Sgt. Carmen Yepez | Iraqi Lt. Jusim Wisam, of the 6th Iraqi Army Division, with an interpreter and Staff Sgt. Jared Nelson, hailing from Hockley, Tex., of the 836th Sapper Company on Sept. 14, 2008. The Soldiers participate in rock drills prior to heading out on route clearance mission with the Iraqi's vehicle-the badger. Nelson is with the 836th Sapper Company, 890th Engineer Battalion, 926th Engineer Brigade, Multi-National Division – Baghdad.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

10.10.2008

Story by Sgt. Carmen Yepez 

926th Engineer Brigade

By Sgt. Carmen Guerrero
926th Engineer Brigade

BAGHDAD – A day to be remembered for engineer and Iraqi soldiers is Sept. 14. On this day members of the 6th Iraqi Army Division trained and conducted a route clearance mission with the 836th Sapper Company out of Kingsville, Texas, using their own route clearance vehicle, the Badger. The 836th Sapper Company is attached to the 890th Engineer Battalion out of Gulfport, Mississippi.

The day started with a link-up between the 836th Sapper Company and the 6th Iraqi Army to start rock drill rehearsals for possible scenarios that could be encountered while on patrol.

Iraqi Lt. Jusim Wisam, of the 6th Iraqi Army, and his Soldiers were eager to learn more about the job Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers perform on a daily basis, route clearance. Rock drill rehearsals went well and both Iraqi and U.S. Soldiers seemed very pleased with the information shared and presented between both units.

Once rock drill rehearsals were complete, members of the 6th Iraqi Army proudly displayed their vehicle, the Iraqi light armored vehicle, also known as the Badger. The Badger is similar to the U.S.'s version of the Buffalo. The Badger is an armored vehicle built for mine detection and to withstand roadside bombs and is an effective choice for route clearance missions. Amazingly, the Badger can carry up to ten personnel and has easy access to get both inside and outside of the vehicle.

After the proud showcase of their vehicle, the Iraqi army mounted their Badger, and merged into the route clearance patrol to begin their mission alongside 890th Engineer Battalion Soldiers.

The Iraqis proved to be sufficient with their new equipment and began their own improvised explosive device interrogations.

This event went well for both members of the 6th IA and the 836th Sapper Company. Many experiences were exchanged and integrated into the training.

"I was impressed with the Iraqi's interrogations of suspicious objects when they used the arm on their Badger," says Sgt. 1st Class Glenn Sierra, of Brownville, Texas. "They are very efficient and effective while on mission. Once we got over the basic learning curve and communication obstacles, we were practically seamless in our joint efforts."

"I have personally been out on missions with Soldiers of the 6th Iraqi Army conducting joint operations in route reconnaissance and clearance patrols," said Capt. Mikel Sledge, of Hockley, Texas. "They are competent and eager to perform their duties. In the future, we will continue to conduct missions side-by-side with the Iraqis. Eventually, they take over the mission in its entirety.

"From what I have witnessed thus far, they will do very well in the future," he added.

Lt. Col. Joe Hargett of Madison, Miss. and Battalion Commander of the 890th Engineer Battalion had this to said, "Today is historically significant for the 890th Engineer Battalion and the 6th Iraqi Army Engineers. This is the first route clearance patrol where the Iraqi badger, [a variant of the Buffalo] has been the center piece of the patrol formation. This event signifies the will and desire of the Iraqi army to enhance their capability to perform independent missions. Conducting these missions will ultimately lead to the government of Iraqi developing its capacity for enhancing security in and around the Baghdad area."

Hargett goes on to say, "[Iraqi] Col. Ahmed and I have agreed that we will conduct these type missions routinely with the goal of assisting and enabling his engineers to conduct independent route clearance missions in the future. This arrangement is a win for both of us. Not only do we maintain and sharpen our route clearance skills while training the Iraqi soldiers, our efforts also help to add legitimacy to the Iraqi Army, especially when the civilian population observes the Iraqi soldiers supporting the counter IED fight."

In closing, Hargett said , "We have been well pleased with the training, performance, and attitude of the Iraqi soldiers. They have been very eager to learn and even more proud to show us what they have learned in the past from previous partnerships with U.S. forces. Working directly with the 6th Iraqi Army engineers will continue to be the highlight of this deployment for the 890th Engineer Battalion."

• Date Taken: 10.10.2008
• Date Posted: 10.10.2008 07:42
• Story ID: 24784
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ