Missions build leaders, relationships

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Anita Stratton | Soldiers with A Company 2/162 IN, 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, hand out school supplies to students in a village near CSC Scania Jan. 27. The Soldiers delivered more than 400 bags of paper, pencils and scissors to the students.  

CAMP ADDER, IRAQ

03.18.2010

Story by Spc. Anita Stratton 

41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team

CAMP ADDER, Iraq - Task Force Volunteer, 2/162 IN, 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, conducts a very diverse mission in Iraq. The Soldiers secure convoys, base security and build relationships with the local populace.

The main mission for Task Force Volunteer is convoy security provided by convoy escort teams. The Soldiers guarantee the assets being transported arrive safely to their destination. They ensure the supply gets to the bases where the Soldiers and others work.

Battalion Commander, 2/162 IN, Lt. Col. William Edwards said "The convoys travel some of the most dangerous routes in Iraq. They provide security to the trucks hauling fuel, food and supplies from Southern and Central Iraq."

One TF Volunteer company conducts fixed-site security mission. The Soldiers operate as the base for Convoy Support Center Scania and quick reaction force for the area. Securing the base protects everyone inside. In the event of an incident, the QRF is there to protect and secure areas outside the base. The base, also known as a truck stop sees a constant flow of traffic.

"We operate the Base Defense Operations Center and Tactical Operations Center, providing base defense, the quick recovery force and the immediate reactionary force for Scania," said 1st Sgt. Geoffrey A. Miotke, Alpha Company 2-162 Infantry.

The company's QRF will supply wreckers if military and military-related vehicles associated with the convoys breakdown on the route. The base can see up to 24 convoys daily with as many as 30 rigs in each convoy. Route Tampa is a major north/south road from Kuwait to Mosul. The IRF is prepared to deal with base security issues in the case of indirect fire, said Miotke.
Perimeter patrol s conducted on Camp Adder is another mission taken on by TF Volunteer.

"It's one way we support the garrison here," said Edwards. "It also reinforces infantry skills and provides added security to the base with mounted and dismounted patrols at night."

A unique mission for the 2/162 IN is the civil-military operations it conducts. Soldiers are able to interact with the local Iraqis, building relationships and partnerships.

"We have taken on an additional task of the CMO missions with the local areas around Adder and Scania," said Edwards. "It is more than just a 'feel good' kind of thing. We are really trying to affect the climate of those communities adjacent to the main supply routes so we can achieve our convoy mission with less difficulty."

Scania has a large number of local Iraqis employed on the base.

"We want to make sure that relationship stays strong," said Edwards.
In facilitating the responsible drawdown of U.S. forces in Iraq and providing better protection for the Soldiers, TF Volunteer turned in unnecessary equipment and upgraded their vehicles.

"In addition to our mission, we've turned in more than $50 million worth of excess equipment "allowing this unit to take on more protective equipment," he said. It will also be good for the Soldiers who take over our mission. We want to make this place better for the next guy."

The Soldiers of 2/162 IN have accomplished a myriad of missions, obtained new skills, facilitated inter-cultural relationships, and supported the Army with efficiency and proficiency.

"The overall goal I had for my Soldiers was to come over here and do our job professionally," said Edwards. "When we redeploy, I want the Soldiers to feel they made a contribution to Iraq, the battalion and the brigade and that they had a sense of accomplishment."

As the Soldiers prepare to come home, they will be packing new skills and abilities with them. The level of decision making, authority, autonomy and responsibility of the non-commissioned officers will be a benefit to their units back home.

"Our leaders will come back with a higher level of proficiency of leadership-type skills," Edwards said. "It sounds mundane, but the proficiency our sergeants and staff sergeants have gained with troop-leading procedures, pre-combat checks and inspections is awesome. They have an awesome responsibility and they are doing a great job managing that."

• Date Taken: 03.18.2010
• Date Posted: 03.28.2010 15:17
• Story ID: 47351
• Location: CAMP ADDER, IQ