Photo By 1st Sgt. Brent Williams | Staff Brig. Gen. Shakir Laftah Abdalretha Al Assadi, commander of the 1st National...... read more read more
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By Staff Sgt. Brent Williams
1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division
FORWARD OPERATING BASE FALCON, Iraq — The former bodyguard and security advisor for a leading Iraqi politician extended full courtesy to the team of Soldiers knocking on his gated property, where the man offered seats formed in a circle around a table of hot chai.
The conversation began with security in the local area and problems with power and water; and quickly ventured into the upcoming U.S. elections in November when the Iraqi asked the Soldiers who would be the next American president.
"Military men don't get involved in politics," said Sgt. Kyle Lobdell, an armor crew member, assigned to Company C, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad.
Soldiers follow the orders of those appointed over them, to include the commander-in-chief, whoever it may be, assured Lobdell, a native of Fort Wayne, Ind.
The Soldiers of the "Regulars" Bn., 22nd Inf. Regt., conducting a security patrol in West Rashid's Jihad community, Oct. 5, 2008, were checking-in with residents in the neighborhood, visiting Sons of Iraq checkpoints and searching abandoned houses and alleyways for weapons caches.
The Soldiers are checking on the progress of the Iraqi security forces operating in the area to sustain the current security, said 1st Lt. Matt Cyr, platoon leader, assigned to Co. C., 1st Bn., 22nd Inf. Regt.
The ISF were busy during the past few months enforcing Baghdad's Rule of Law, and more recently, the latest initiative by the Government of Iraq to keep the western Jihad and Furat communities free of weapons, explained Cyr, a native of Dover, N.H.
"Unless there is a permit, there will be no weapons," Cyr said. "This is counter to the GoI's previous policy of one weapon per family."
The Soldiers of Co. C assisted the ISF in accomplishing this mission, explained Cyr, a Sapper-qualified armor officer.
"The Iraqi army unit that we have right now has really stepped it up," said Sgt. 1st Class Troy Johnson, platoon sergeant, Co. C, 1st Bn., 22nd Inf. Regt.
Since arriving at the combat outpost in the Rashid District of southern Baghdad six months ago, the company's primary mission is to keep the area secure, patrolling the Jihad and Furat communities, and to support the ISF as it transitions into the lead for security operations in southwestern Baghdad, said Johnson, who hails from San Antonio.
"I think the ISF are ready to step up to the plate, at least in this area," Johnson said, "but with over watch.
"The IA, the ISF team in this area, is good," he explained. "It's got to be done sometime – why not do it now? Now, six months from now or two years from now, but it has to happen."
During his last deployment, Johnson said the ISF did not have a good working relationship with the Iraqi people because of sectarian issues, which resulted in wide-spread violence. He credits the ISF operating in his unit's area of responsibility for the continuing security gains in West Rashid.
A new Iraqi police station in Furat and an IP Academy are good indicators that the ISF are making headway with the local community.
"Recruiting has gone well," he said. "We've had 3,000 Iraqi show up looking for jobs with the IPs alone."
The progress is important, Johnson explained, as the Soldiers of Co. C will expand their operations in early November to include other areas across Rashid and move into an over-watch position after an upcoming transition of authority from coalition forces to ISF occurs in West Rashid.
With a shift in operational priorities, switching from combat operations to a state of reconciliation, the Soldiers of Co. C "have performed exceedingly well," said Staff Sgt. Joel Olson, an infantry platoon sergeant from Rapid River, Mich., assigned to 1st Bn., 22nd Inf. Regt.
"My Soldiers have performed excellent work," he said. "It is a complete change of mindset from what we're used to, but they have adapted well and overcome the obstacles that come with changing mission."
As the mission developed from combat patrols to reconciliation activities, engaging the enemy to greeting and interacting with the local population, the Iraqi security forces transitioned into a competent and capable force and are taking responsibility for West Rashid, said Olson.
"My Soldiers are relentless in their pursuit of their mission accomplishment. I am sure it will take some adjusting, some long days, some tired days, but they will do very well. I am sure that they will succeed and excel as they have always done," said Olson, in talking about how his platoon will fare moving to a new area of operations and transitioning into an advisory capacity for the ISF.
Regardless of their mission, Soldiers will continue to improve the quality of life for Iraqis in West Rashid, said Pvt. Kevin Slominski, an infantryman assigned to Co. C, 1st Bn., 22nd Inf. Regt.
"We're providing them with the means to help them better their lives," said Slominski, a native of Savage, Minn. "We help them and assist them better their way of life even though they have been doing their society and way of life for many years."
The Soldiers are distributing microgrants to improve the economy, rebuilding schools, bettering low-income housing in the area and removing concertina wire, trash and obstacles from the local communities, he explained.
"Yes, the Americans have leaped frog in establishing the peace and security," said the Jihad resident to the Soldiers drinking his chai.
"That [coalition forces] have pushed toward a successful conclusion, and it is still going on. That has really impressed the people – to know that they can go out at night and be safe," he said.
If security continues to improve, then what is the next step for the U.S. Soldiers in the Rashid District, asked the man.
The answer, said Lobdell, is that Soldiers will continue working in partnership with the local ISF to maintain the level of security in the area and work to return the Iraqi people's lives to a state of normalcy.
| Date Taken: | 10.11.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 10.11.2008 08:48 |
| Story ID: | 24830 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 200 |
| Downloads: | 166 |
This work, Regulars' Charlie Co. Soldiers maintain security operations in West Rashid/Ready to expand operations across southern Baghdad, by 1SG Brent Williams, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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