RSD Provides Security for CLPs

05.07.2007

Story by Pfc. Benjamin Fox 

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division

By Pfc. Ben Fox
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division

BAQOUBAH, Iraq – Watching the road for hazards, looking for suspicious activity and feeling the tension on the streets all played a vital role in the patrol's safe returning.

Improvised explosive devices, small-arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades were all dangers these Soldiers were up against, and they had their guards up, constantly vigilant and alert for the slightest thing out of place, because the lives of their comrades depended on it.

While this may seem like a normal instance for an infantryman or scout, the Soldiers in these trucks were mostly mechanics.

These Soldiers are a part of a unique unit called the Reconnaissance Security Detachment from the 215th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division.

The entire detachment is made up of non-combat Soldiers who leave the safety of Forward Operating Base Warhorse to provide security for supply trucks en route to other military installations in and around the Diyala province.

"I get to work with good people," said Pfc. Garrett Terral, a gunner. "I get to go out and see all of the different places in Iraq."

Terral said he would rather be running missions outside the wire than be in a motor pool on the FOB fixing vehicles every day.

Even though a mechanic's job of fixing vehicles is vitally important to the mission, getting outside of the wire feels more like adding to the fight, said Terral.

"I couldn't stand the (idea) of sitting around on the FOB," said Staff Sgt. Keith Coren, a platoon sergeant. "It's just not me."

As a generator mechanic, Coren does not get a lot of opportunities to do his job, so he volunteered for the RSD to protect supply assets.

"We can protect them while they worry about the supplies," said Coren.
Terral said he likes "being able to say that I provide security and get supplies from one point to another."

"Out here you actually get to get out on the road and feel like you are important," he said.

"We get to scout out and see what possible threats are out there and then relay it back to the (supply trucks) so that they know what to look out for," said Terral.

"I feel that we are doing more for the mission," said Pfc. Nevar Shoulders. "The elements back in the rear are helping the mission inside the FOB and we are helping the mission outside the FOB."

"When you go out of the wire you get to do more, and you get to see more," said Shoulders.
Coren said his unit's job was also vital to combat Soldiers.

"We move the logistics... needed to keep the scouts and infantry in the fight," said Coren.

"I wanted to know that I was out doing my part, getting these guys (combat troops) in the fight and doing what I could to win this war," he said.

The RSD has been training since February, 2006 and has more mobility and experience with reacting to contact than the supply trucks, said Coren.

"We know what to do out there and we know how to provide security," said Shoulders.
"Basically, we are their ace of spades," said Spc. Ronald Morton.

Morton said the training schedule the unit had at Fort Hood gave them an edge in the fight.
"We constantly train," said Morton. "If you aren't doing anything, you're training."

While the job is stressful and dangerous, there aren't many complaints from the Soldiers.
"For the most part, every body here is a volunteer," said Coren.

"They love doing what they do, they are good at what they do and hopefully we continue doing what we do so everybody goes home as a group," he said.

• Date Taken: 05.07.2007
• Date Posted: 05.07.2007 11:32
• Story ID: 10255