Courtesy Photo | A Soldier from the 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment uses a heavy crane...... read more read more
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By Maj. Sean Ryan
2nd BCT, 2nd Inf. Div. PAO
FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY, Iraq – Concrete barriers are going up in the eastern Baghdad's Rusafa security district, aimed at providing enhanced security to the Al Shurja market place.
As part of Operation Fardh Al-Qanon, elements of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division started placing concrete barriers this week.
Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment emplaced more than 130 concrete barriers at the market place Feb. 16. The area has been the site of three vehicle-borne improvised explosive device attacks in the last month, including one that killed more than 100 Iraqis. The added security is aimed to disrupt car bomb attacks and is part of an overall plan to reduce sectarian violence and stabilize the capital.
The barrier emplacement operation went as planned.
"It went surprisingly smooth," said. Maj. Matthew R. Sampson, an engineer with the brigade from Avoca, Iowa. He called the emplacement a success.
With the barriers in place, Iraqi army troops and Iraqi national police officers will man market checkpoints. Shoppers will leave vehicles in a parking lot and use a secured pedestrian walkway to enter the market, Sampson explained.
"The ultimate success of this depends on the Iraqi security forces, on how they operate and implement the market checkpoints," Sampson said. "This is helping them get on their feet and...protect the markets."
This operation can also serve as a springboard to increased security in places other than markets, Sampson noted.
"Anything we can do to help establish the legitimacy of the government of Iraq will show its citizens that it is protecting them," he said.
Sampson praised the team effort that went into the construction.
"It would not have been possible without all the players," he said, "such as truck drivers and crane operators, along with Soldiers providing security." That security was provided to 2nd BCT troops by members of the 759th Military Police Battalion.
"We work together to get the job done," said Staff Sgt. Aaron M. Spaulding, a liaison officer for the 759th from Poquoson, Va. "We've got a great relationship with them."
| Date Taken: | 02.19.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 02.19.2007 13:12 |
| Story ID: | 9180 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 570 |
| Downloads: | 478 |
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