Soldiers aid Iraqi police checkpoint

Photo By Spc. Andrew Slovensky | The commander of an Iraqi police checkpoint in Dhi Qar province arrives at the checkpoint to meet with U.S. soldiers, Oct. 5. Soldiers with 2nd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, visited the checkpoint to perform maintenance checks on two disabled patrol vehicles.  

TALLIL, IRAQ

10.07.2011

Story by Pvt. Andrew Slovensky 

362nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq – Soldiers of 2nd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, visited an Iraqi police checkpoint in Dhi Qar province, Oct. 5.

The soldiers made the stop during a route clearance mission to assist in diagnosing an issue with an Iraqi patrol vehicle that prevented it from operating. 2nd Lt. Christopher Molaro, Headquarters Battery 1st platoon leader, met with the commander of the checkpoint to discuss what was wrong with the vehicle and how to prevent future problems.

“Their F-350s had broken down, so they weren’t able to go on patrols,” said Molaro. “We didn’t want to just fix the problem, but we wanted to show the Iraqi police how they could fix it in the future.”

Spc. Phillip Tingkang, mechanic with the 2-82, got under the hood of the trucks to find the best way to treat whatever crisis had struck them. For someone accustomed to working in a motor pool, it was a new experience going outside the wire to assist the Iraqis, said Tingkang.

Soldiers also took this opportunity to provide the checkpoint with gifts for local children in need. Soccer balls and school supplies bundled in colorful children’s backpacks were donated by the 2-82 for a good cause.

Missions like these help foster a positive relationship with Iraqi forces and help prepare them for when U.S. forces withdraw, said Molaro. “I hope that our relationship, American to Iraqi, continues … and that we will be friends and allies for years to come.”

Opportunities like this for soldiers to aid in the missions of Iraqi forces will become scarce, said Molaro. “The security of Iraq is really in the Iraq Security Forces’ hands … We’re just here as an advisory force,” he said. “We work with the Iraqi police, the Iraqi army, to see what help they need from us to secure their roads, to secure their land.”

• Date Taken: 10.07.2011
• Date Posted: 10.08.2011 07:09
• Story ID: 78217
• Location: TALLIL, IQ