Photo By Robert Timmons | Southrider, N.J., native Staff Sgt. Travis Platt, the platoon sergeant for 2nd...... read more read more
By Sgt. 1st Class Robert Timmons
4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Inf. Div. Public Affairs
BAGHDAD – The Soldiers always try to detain the suspect if possible. But, when it is not possible or the insurgent displays hostile intent, they will shoot to kill.
On the night of May 10, Soldiers from Fort Carson, Colo., caught three terrorists in the act of placing roadside bombs. The terrorists attempted to flee, but the troops engaged them, killing two.
Everyday since January, the "Warriors" of Company B, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, operating with the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, regularly patrol the streets of a small portion of southwestern Baghdad aiming to get improvised explosive device emplacers off the streets.
"We have discovered 50 IEDs and killed or captured 15 insurgents who, there is no question in our minds, are bad guys," said Staff Sgt. Travis Platt, the unit's platoon sergeant. "We own our area of operation with no questions."
Platt said the 15 were discovered with detonation devices in their possession or were caught putting the roadside bombs into holes.
Discovering the IEDs before they hurt anyone is a top priority to the platoon.
"(It) makes me feel good, makes my men feel good to take these IEDs off the streets," said the Southrider, N.J. native. "Because if we don't find them, they going to either blow you up ...or kill somebody or hurt somebody; or all (the insurgents) are going to do is take them out and put them someplace else and somebody else is going to get hurt.
"Personally, it feels good for me and the men of the platoon."
To get the IEDs off the streets, Platt said his platoon's techniques and tactics continually evolve in the face of IED threats.
"Our team leaders come up to me with suggestions about how to do things," said the seven-year veteran who has served in the Old Guard at Fort Myer, Va., in Korea and at Fort Carson, Colo.
With the overall goal of getting all explosive devices off the street, it would be better to detain the suspect, he said.
"If we can detain him, we can ask him where he got the trigger, got the command wire ..." he said.
Putting his troops on the street is the key to winning the battle against IEDs, he said.
"Don't be afraid," he said. "You (just have to) go out there."
As for leadership, Platt said you must lead from the front.
"All the non-commissioned officers in my platoon lead from the front – its not something I have to enforce," he said.
Part of his platoon's success comes partly from taking IEDs off the street and partly from their absolute willingness to push the fight to the enemy's doorstep.
"(When) we hear gunfire, we go to it," he said emphatically. "We hear explosions and we head right to them to investigate. We have to be diligent to take the IEDs off the street."
Soldiers of the platoon are highly motivated and take pride in knowing they are making a difference in their small portion of the city.
"All of 2nd Platoon, all the Soldiers enjoy doing this," he said about hunting the enemy. "They are happy to take the fight to the enemy. They are proud to be here. I have not heard one single Soldier say, 'I hate it in Iraq.' They are proud to be Americans and be in the Army."
| Date Taken: | 05.14.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 05.14.2007 13:45 |
| Story ID: | 10351 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 120 |
| Downloads: | 65 |
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