U.S., Iraqi Soldiers guard crucial entry, exit points

Photo By Sgt. Matthew Wester | Spc. Prince Yohannes, artilleryman for 4-1 FA Bn. and St Louis, Mo., native, helps bridge that communication gap with Iraqi Soldiers while on guard duty at Camp Taji. His mother is Muslim and he is very familiar with Arabic. "I can understand (Arabic) and I can communicate with the Iraqi guys out here," Yohannes said. "It helps me a lot and it helps the other Soldiers around here a lot."  

TAJI, IRAQ

10.11.2005

Courtesy Story

DVIDS Hub       

Sgt. Matthew Wester

3/1 AD PAO


TAJI, Iraq -- Every time Soldiers leave Camp Taji and every time they come back in, they see a group of their comrades, patrolling the gates and keeping things safe.

Soldiers of 3rd Brigade, 1st Armored Division and supporting units are responsible for guarding the entry and exit points on post. They brave long hours and searing heat, while monitoring the gates day in and day out.

"We maintain security," said Sgt. Ricky V. Fields, section chief for A Battery, 1st Battalion, 118th Field Artillery Regiment, 48th Brigade Combat Team, Georgia National Guard, which is supporting 3rd Bde. "We keep the bad stuff and the bad people out."

Keeping them out requires constant vigilance by the guards.

"Our job at the gate is toâ?¦provide security to ensure we aren't being attacked," said Staff Sgt. Robert Bakie, food service specialist for 3rd Brigade's Service Battery, 4th Battalion, 1st Field Artillery Regiment.

Bakie said situational awareness is always on his mind when he is manning the gate, and reminds his Soldiers to stay alert.

Not all of the Soldiers securing the sun-baked guard stations are in the U.S. Army. Iraqi Army Soldiers also help man the gate alongside their American counterparts, working the same long hours and sharing responsibility for the safety of the post.

"Communication is a challenge (with the IA Soldiers)," Fields said. "It's a good experience, though."

Spc. Prince Yohannes, an artilleryman with 4-1 FA, helps bridge that communication gap while on guard duty. His mother is Muslim and he is very familiar with Arabic.

"I can understand (Arabic) and I can communicate with the Iraqi guys out here," Yohannes said. "It helps me and the other Soldiers around here a lot."

Yohannes relays instructions from the American sergeant-of-the-guard to the Iraqi Soldiers, making the gate-guard team more effective.

He also gave the American guards tips on how to communicate with the Iraqis.

"Use a lot of hand gestures," he told one of his fellow guards. "When they reply to you, you have to listen closely to the words, and look at their eyes because they are usually looking at what they are trying to tell you about."

By guarding the gate together, the Soldiers have gained insight about different cultures.

"We learn about their culture. They learn about our culture," Fields said.

"They want to talk to you, you want to talk to them, and we learn a little bit about each other," Bakie said.

Yohannes said he liked working with the Iraqi troops, and it gave him the feeling that the Iraqis are getting closer to securing their own country.

The Soldiers understand the importance of their mission out at the gate.

"There are Soldiers in their room right now sleeping. We're at the perimeter making sure those sleeping Soldiers are safe," Yohannes said. "While we're out here protecting the perimeter, they can go about their business on the camp, doing their jobs."

• Date Taken: 10.11.2005
• Date Posted: 10.11.2005 16:06
• Story ID: 3269
• Location: TAJI, IQ