Psy Op trains rookies and celebrates less IED

Photo By Sgt. Cassandra Groce | Tactical Psychological Operations Soldiers played soccer with Iraqi kids during the training for their incoming replacements.  

HAWIJA, IRAQ

04.26.2006

Story by Sgt. Cassandra Groce 

133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

HAWIJA, Iraq (April 19, 2006) " Soldiers from the 324th Tactical Psychological Operations Company had more to celebrate lately than just their impending return home. A frequently recalcitrant village finally stepped up to the responsibility of keeping their road clear.

The village road had been a hot zone for IED attacks in recent months. However, in the last two weeks not a single incident happened.

"Since we spoke to the village leader last time, telling him he needed to be responsible for watching his village and road, we haven't had any IEDs," explained 1st Lt. Michael Sykes, an acting support element and platoon leader in the 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division. "It's been a dramatic drop."

The 324th familiarized their replacements, the 310th Tactical Psychological Operations Company out of Atlanta, Ga., with the village as part of their training.

"Right now we have our replacements and are taking them to the smaller villages" said Sgt. Sam Talley, a non-commissioned officer from the 324th. "The smaller villages are key to security because they control most of the roads."

In addition to ensuring locals understand the importance of keeping their homes clean of insurgent activities, the replacements also learned more about interacting with Iraqis.

"We are showing them the schools and the kids, because the children are the future of Iraq," said Talley. "It's not all just talking to adults, and we want them to realize that."

Soldiers handed out clothing and school supplies to the children, and an impromptu game of soccer broke out.

"We're just hanging out and showing them we aren't all bad," Talley said.

The IED decline in the Psychological Operations Soldiers" sector was not the only progress in the area. During the December elections, the Soldiers worked tirelessly to improve voter turn-out.

"I"d say our greatest accomplishment was the elections," reminisced Sgt. Clint Maples, an NCO in the 324th. "When we first got here the turn out from the previous election was only about 32 percent."

The Soldiers spent their first six months in country explaining democracy to the chiefly Sunni voters.

"To get their voice heard, they needed to participate," said Maples. By the time the December election came, Hawija had around a 73 percent turnout.

"Every time you see someone walk out with an ink stained finger, that's one more victory for democracy," Maples explained.

Soldiers gained passed down to the 310th the knowledge they gained while in Iraq to ease their transition into a combat zone.

"We saw villages and IED holes," said Staff Sgt. Michael Currier, a Soldier in the 310th. "We waved at kids and played with kids. It was great."

• Date Taken: 04.26.2006
• Date Posted: 04.26.2006 12:05
• Story ID: 6133
• Location: HAWIJA, IQ