Courtesy Photo | Pfc. Sergey Progushev, a radio transmission operator with 2nd Platoon, Company B, 4th...... read more read more
Story and photos by Spc. Ben Hutto
FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER – Young infantrymen face the fear of stepping on the streets of Baghdad. But not alone, combat veteran noncommissioned officers take them under their wings.
Soldiers from 3rd platoon, Company A, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment patrolled the streets of Salman Pak in conjunction with the military police and the Iraqi National Police.
"This is just another chance for the people to see our faces and know that we are here to help out," explained Pfc. Paul Jernigan, an infantryman with 3rd platoon.
Led by Sgt. 1st Class Peter Black, the platoon sergeant, and native of Smith Station, Ala., the group spent two hours walking up and down the streets, venturing into the town square and greeting anyone who would approach them. Their mission, while relatively simple to explain, is not simple to execute.
"We just got here yesterday, but we're going to spend six days here working with the military police and the Iraqi police," said Sgt. Robert Butler, from Kansas City, Mo.
As the Soldiers from 3rd Platoon kept their intervals, Black explained how this town is actually much better than the town in the platoon's previous area of operation during Operation Iraqi Freedom III.
"The situation here is a lot better than where we were last time, based on the reputation of the Iraqi National Police working here," explained Black. "I think it helps that they work here, but don't live here. We are seeing their operations getting good results. They are taking the lead in a lot more things. Really, all we do is shadow them, in case they need back up. I think they and most of the population here know that we are just here to help."
Pvt. Clint Biddle, a medic who was also with Black in OIF III in 3rd Platoon, and native of Paris, Ky., agrees that the situation is different.
"The town is a lot bigger and we are working a lot closer with the Iraqi forces this time," explained Biddle. "I think they are doing a lot better job policing their towns."
The combat experience in Black's platoon will be a huge asset in situations like this foot patrol, according to many veteran platoon members.
"I've got 12 vets that have been with this platoon since OIF III," said Black. "I took over during the middle of the last rotation, but didn't try to come in and change anything. They had their routine down and I didn't want to mess with that. I have faith in my Soldiers. I let my guys be thinkers on the ground. I don't dictate how things will be. I have a lot of faith in their abilities and judgment."
The confidence Black places in his veterans trickles down to the new Soldiers in the squad. For most, this is their first deployment and they are taking all the advice they can from the experienced non-commissioned officers in the company.
"I use every little bit of advice they (NCOs) give us," said Pvt. Brandon Bailey,
from Colquitt, Ga. "They all do what they can to help us because they want us to (return home) alive."
Black agrees.
"We have a lot of combat experience spread out throughout 1-15," explained Black. "I let the NCOs teach their men what they need to know and I tell my Soldiers to trust their leaders."
Not that it is easy to blend into a platoon as tight knit as 3rd Platoon. It is a close group where everyone seems to have a nickname. Many of them have been through hard times together and that has built bonds that run deeper than casual working relationships.
"Last time I was here, me and my guys went through some really bad stuff," explained Butler. "We had gotten really tight. They were probably the bravest guys I'd ever met. You go into situations together where you think you're going to die and nobody runs. They stand right by your side fighting and they're just as scared as you are. After that, that's your brother."
Entering such a fraternity can be daunting for Soldiers still in their first year, but the newcomers to 3rd Platoon have found ways to impress the veteran members of the platoon with their zeal and willingness to do the hard work it takes to become a good infantryman and teammate.
"At first it is hard fitting in, but once you get here and get settled it's not too bad," explained Bailey.
"Our new guys are eager," said Biddle with a smile. "They want to go out on patrol."
Butler tries to keep his new Soldiers as ready as possible. In his mind, their eagerness is an asset, but he has tried to temper it with his experience.
"When the new guys showed up I told them, 'I'm not here to be your friend. I'm your sergeant and my job is to get you out of this alive," he said with a straight face. "If they don't like me, I don't care as long as they are back home with their families when this is over." A smile broke over his face before he continued. "I've tried not to get too close to them, but it's hard."
The platoon marched for another hour before it doubled back through Salman Pak's town square.
The town's people filled the downtown area getting haircuts, buying food, drinking chi and going about their daily lives. As the Soldiers walked by, many adults greeted them, many children came out to shake their hands or give the squad a thumbs up, but everyone was watching.
For many Soldiers, this would make them nervous. Not for these seasoned veterans.
"Normally people don't bother me," explained Butler. "The more people there are; the safer you are."
Butler explained that when the people clear the street he gets worried. It is his belief that in the smaller areas outside Baghdad the townsfolk look out for one another. He feels that the tribes are close and go out of their way to warn each other before something bad is going to happen.
"They know when things are going to happen. So if they aren't here or the children aren't out in the street, I get scared."
That fear isn't something that stops him, however. He explained that it was something he has just gotten used to.
"You learn how to fight it, because when stuff starts happening what are you going to do?" asks Butler rhetorically. "Turn around and run? You aren't just going to leave your guys there hanging."
As the patrol ended the NCOs went around and made sure all of their Soldiers were drinking water and reminded them to get something to eat. The Soldiers were tired and hot, but as Staff Sgt. Sean Holtz, a native from Columbus, Ga., started joking with several members of his squad, smiles started appearing on once weary faces. At this point, there was no mistaking that this unit was something like a family.
"It's because our senior guys know your only family is your platoon over here," explained Biddle. "Line units are close. I mean, we can decompress and relax around each other no matter what rank we are. When we are lying around upstairs (where 18 of them are jammed into a little room together), jokes just fly back and forth across the room, but jokes go out the window when we are on patrol."
The closeness of the platoon can make Biddle's job as a combat medic hard sometimes.
"I can work on "some guy" all day and it's not hard," explained Biddle with a serious expression. "Working on one of my guys is different. The personal ties make it harder. It's like working on a family member. You have to learn to set aside your emotions and get the job done."
Biddle went on to say that being a line medic is tough that way. "Part of you wants to get hysterical along with everyone else because your buddy is hurt, but you have to be able to push all that aside and remain calm and focused on your job, he added"
As the tired squad trudged up the stairs to their room, several members from another squad in the platoon were gearing up to provide cover for two tanks outside the compound in Salman Pak. Jokes were exchanged as the first squad quickly caught the other one up on what happened on the previous patrol. For a moment, it didn't even seem like they were in the middle of a war.
| Date Taken: | 04.26.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 04.26.2007 14:59 |
| Story ID: | 10136 |
| Location: | FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, IQ |
| Web Views: | 729 |
| Downloads: | 396 |
This work, Hard Rock Platoon Keeps Streets Safe in Salman Pak, by SSG James Hutto, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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