‘First Lightning’ Battalion soldiers conduct a combined patrol with 1st Iraqi Federal Police partners

Courtesy Photo | Capt. John Morgan, second from right, commander of Battery B, 1st “First Lightning” Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, United States Division – Center and a Baltimore, native, speaks with local teenagers during a dismounted patrol April 26 in a local neighborhood surrounding Joint Security Station Loyalty, Iraq. The purpose of the combined patrol was for First Lightning soldiers to engage their Iraqi neighbors and demonstrate that they, along with their 1st IFP partners, are fully-invested in the security and stability of the surrounding neighborhoods. (U.S. Army photo by Chief Warrant Officer 2 Santiago Giraldo, 2nd AAB, 1st Inf. Div., USD-C)  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

04.26.2011

Courtesy Story

2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division Public Affairs

Story by: 2nd Lt. Matthew Johnson

BAGHDAD—Soldiers with Battery B, 1st “First Lightning” Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, United States Division – Center conducted a combined dismounted patrol with their 1st Iraqi Federal Police Division partners April 26 in local neighborhoods surrounding Joint Security Station Loyalty, Iraq.

The purpose of this combined patrol was for First Lightning soldiers to engage their Iraqi neighbors and demonstrate that they, along with their 1st IFP partners, are fully invested in the security and stability of the community surrounding JSS Loyalty.

“Building a relationship with the local populace surrounding JSS Loyalty is instrumental to not only the safety of the local community, but to the safety of the soldiers who operate at JSS Loyalty on a daily basis,” said Staff Sgt. Joshua Bell, a soldier with Battery B. “It gives me great pride to know that my platoon and I are taking steps to reach that goal.”

Soldiers with Battery B conducted their usual pre-combat checks and inspections, as well as a pre-mission brief, before stepping outside the gate at JSS Loyalty. They met up with seven junior Iraqi Police officers, a 1st IFP lieutenant, and the 1st IFP battalion commander before beginning their combined patrol mission.

“It is critical to the success of 1st Battalion, 7th Field Artillery’s mission at JSS Loyalty to build an enduring relationship with not only the 1st IFP, but with our neighbors in the muhallah [neighborhoods] as well,” said Capt. John Morgan, commander of Battery B.

The combined patrol stopped several times in the neighborhoods next to JSS Loyalty to engage with the local populace, with junior Iraqi Police officers working with Battery B soldiers to pull security while the leaders talked to the different people living in the area.

“This is my fourth deployment, and each time I have had the privilege to see the progress of this nation increase,” said Sgt. 1st Class Herman Richardson, a platoon sergeant with Battery B. “The Iraqis and American soldiers are working hard together in order to build an enduring relationship. I can see, during each mission we conduct with our Iraqi counterparts, the great progress we have made in training and assisting the Federal Police to help make sure the Iraqi people can live in a safe environment.”

• Date Taken: 04.26.2011
• Date Posted: 05.10.2011 00:19
• Story ID: 70152
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ