The 3-69 Infantry Leaves Samarra in Good Hands

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Mark Wojciechowski | Spc. Julio Castillio of 3rd ID's 3-69 Infantry pulls security from his turret while patrolling the streets of downtown Samarra in preparation of the upcoming elections. The 3-69th will be replaced by the 1-187th Rakasaans in a few weeks.  

SAMARRA, IRAQ

12.19.2005

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Mark Wojciechowski 

133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Staff Sgt. Mark Wojciechowski
133rd MPAD

SAMARRA, IRAQ- The 3rd Infantry Division's 3-69th Armor is wrapping up their year long tour by handing over their area of operations here in Samarra to the highly capable hands of the 101st Airborne Division, Air Assault. The 3-69th Soldiers have been here for 11 months and have seen their share of combat hostility. They have also seen the Iraqi Security Forces make noticeable changes in their abilities to protect their people from the Anti-Iraqi Forces.

Lt. Col. Mark Wald, Battalion commander of the 3rd Infantry Division's 3-69 Armor and Saratoga, Calif. native is excited about what his unit has done here in the past eleven months. "When we first arrived here in February of 2005 our mission was to kill, capture and detain the anti-Iraqi forces (AIF) and get the level of enemy activity down to a point where competent capable Iraqi security forces can step in, take the lead."

"We have the enemy activity down to such a significantly low level that we can now transition Iraqi security forces currently in our area of operation to take the lead where coalition forces are now in support."

Sgt. Steven Narron a gunner with Bravo Company said "I have seen the discipline level of the Iraqi Army, the Iraqi Police and the Ministry of the Interior go up a whole lot since we've been here, the equipment they have and the soldiers they are getting have really improved." Narron will be returning home to Arkansas in just a few weeks knowing their tough job was completed to the best of their capacity.

Staff Sgt. Jeffery Peets is a Scout with the 3-69th Infantry and team commander (TC) of a vehicle in the Quick Reaction Force he has also seen his share in this area. "Several months ago we would have two or three incidents a day now it's down to one or two every three days, they are really on the ball now," said Peeks who is originally from Upstate NY. "This Iraqi Army as well as the Ministry of Information and Iraqi Police I believe have really got a hold on this city," said Peets.

Capt. Matthew McCain Fire Support Officer for the incoming 101st Airborne division said, "We are looking forward to working with the Iraqi Security Forces and building upon the great job that the 3-69 Infantry has done in this area."

The 3rd Battalion 1-187 Infantry, 101st Airborne Division from Ft. Campbell, KY will take over this area of operations. The 1-187 is an extremely capable, highly trained and highly motivated infantry unit ready to take on the mission here in Samarra working with and supporting the rapidly emergent Iraqi Security Forces.

• Date Taken: 12.19.2005
• Date Posted: 12.19.2005 09:49
• Story ID: 4130
• Location: SAMARRA, IQ