Artillery Soldiers survey new AO

Courtesy Photo | Battery B, 4-11th FA Soldiers wait for the civil affairs team to wrap up a site inspection as they conduct an area familiarization mission in the Makhmur District March 3.  

MAKHMUR DISTRICT, IRAQ

03.21.2006

Courtesy Story

DVIDS Hub       

Sgt. Patricia Tso
101st Sustainment Brigade

MAKHMUR DISTRICT, Iraq - The armored vehicles rolled across the open fields and left behind a trail of dust as Battery B, 4th Battalion, 11th Field Artillery Soldiers viewed their new area of responsibility during a civil affairs mission conducted on March 3.

The artilleryman provided security with Iraqi Army troops as the 401st Civil Affairs Battalion conducted the mission.

The Soldiers, who recently relocated to Q-West Base Complex from Mosul, must also take on the challenge of working with the Iraqi Army, or IA Soldiers, based in Makhmur, Iraq.

Capt. Michael Bugaj, battery commander, led the area familiarization mission, which gave the Soldiers a better view of the district they will soon be working in.

Battery B Soldiers plan to improve the Iraqi Army's training, but first they must resolve equipment issues for the IA Soldiers based near the pipeline in order for them to begin the new operation.

"One of the main concerns is training," said Bugaj, who believes his Soldiers can accomplish this mission.

"Instead of handing the IA soldiers a vest [and] an AK-47 rifle and demanding that they guard the pipeline, we need to train them," said Bugaj with concern.

Battery B Soldiers plan and look forward to improving the IA Soldiers" tactical skills through better training.

Once a training site has been established, Battery B Soldiers will begin training the IA Soldiers to standard, which should better prepare them to safeguard the pipeline.

• Date Taken: 03.21.2006
• Date Posted: 03.21.2006 10:04
• Story ID: 5792
• Location: MAKHMUR DISTRICT, IQ