Delta Company of 2-135 IN deployed during drawdown

Photo By 1st Lt. Dustin Rockow | Soldiers of Delta Company 2nd Battalion, 135th Infantry Regiment pass through a palace formerly owned by Saddam Hussein.  

CAMP BUEHRING, KUWAIT

12.17.2011

Story by 1st Lt. Dustin Rockow 

1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 34th Red Bull Infantry Division

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait - Soldiers of Delta Company 2-135 Infantry from Albert Lea, Minn., have had an eventful 2011. Delta Company was to be deployed to Camp Buehring, Kuwait, to serve in a supporting role for troops passing through on their way in and out of theater. However, through a series of mission changes, Delta Company and other soldiers of 2-135 Infantry ended up being some of the last U.S. forces to leave Iraq.

Delta Company began their mobilization training in June 2011 at Fort McCoy, Wis., with a mission to deploy to Camp Buehring, Kuwait, and do numerous jobs on and around post. The company would be in charge of distributing the water deliveries to the post, operating the chow halls, keeping the generators fueled and helping staff at K-Crossing, a border checkpoint between Iraq and Kuwait.

During the Cumulative Training Event at Fort McCoy, when units are supposed to demonstrate their proficiency at their upcoming mission, Delta Company received a change of mission. They were tasked with being an area reaction force within Kuwait and escorting explosive ordnance disposal teams to destroy old ammunition and explosives.

Delta Company soldiers adapted to the last-minute change and prepared for their departure to Kuwait. Upon arriving in Kuwait in late July, Delta Company hit the ground running with their newly assigned mission.

The winds of change soon blew again, and Delta Company was ordered into Iraq for the first time in early October to provide convoy security teams. Spc. Jeremy Grund of Mankato, Minn., said it felt good to be able to use the training he’d learned over the past few years.

“We were anxious to get up there and start doing our part,” Grund said.

Delta Company cleared the southernmost roads in Iraq ahead of convoys traveling in and out of the country. In late October, 1st Platoon and some Headquarters personnel of Delta Company caught a flight to Baghdad to assist in the closure of Victory Base Camp.

Upon arrival, Glenville, Minn., native Cpl. Ben Weller’s first impression of VBC was heavily influenced by the incredibly muddy conditions; his first thought was “this is going to suck!” Morale improved though as he and others discovered the many luxuries VBC had to offer, including iced coffee at the chow hall.

While 1st Platoon’s trip to VBC lasted a brief 10 days, a few Headquarters personnel, led by 1st Sgt. Matthew Price of Farmington, Minn., waited at VBC for the development of yet another mission change. Delta Company was ordered to provide route security around Baghdad and on main supply routes heading north and south to further help facilitate the U.S. drawdown in Iraq.

The first to head north was 4th Platoon in early November. Not far behind was 2nd platoon. Across Iraq, U.S. forces were rapidly closing bases and shipping equipment south. Second and 4th Platoons helped clear routes around the capital while 1st and 3rd Platoons prepared their newly-fielded Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles at Camp Buehring.

Shortly before Thanksgiving, the entire company moved to Camp Adder, Iraq. Like other bases across the country, the once vast Camp Adder was rapidly shutting down. The soldiers of Delta Company were fortunate enough to be reunited in time for the final meal at the base chow hall.

Missions from Camp Adder focused not only on route security, but primarily on preventing civilian tractor trailers from being hijacked. The hijacking threat developed after criminal elements within Iraq discovered that long lines of trucks carrying equipment were often under-protected and susceptible to attack.

This way of thinking changed after Delta Company arrived with its fleet of highly intimidating MRAPs. Delta Company left Camp Adder in early December and returned to running CST missions from Camp Buehring until the final U.S. forces crossed the border of Kuwait.

During the final days of the war, the efforts of Delta Company 2-135 Infantry and everyone who contributed to the liberation of the Iraqi people were recognized by the commander in chief.

On Dec. 14, President Barack Obama said, “[Soldiers] will cross the border out of Iraq with their heads held high. One of the most extraordinary chapters in the history of the American military will come to an end. Iraq's future will be in the hands of its people. America's war in Iraq will be over.”

• Date Taken: 12.17.2011
• Date Posted: 12.29.2011 05:51
• Story ID: 81842
• Location: CAMP BUEHRING, KW