9th Engineers secure western edge of Ramadi

Courtesy Photo | Iraqi police bring pickets out to the perimeter during the construction of an entry control point May 10 around the city of Ramadi.  

RAMADI, IRAQ

05.14.2007

Story by Spc. Ricardo Branch 

1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division

Spc. Ricardo Branch
1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs

RAMADI, Iraq – The work is underway to establish a safe perimeter around the city, as part of the 1st Brigade Combat Team's plan to stop insurgents from easily returning to the city.

Soldiers from Company C, 9th Engineer Battalion, are heading the latest security effort and are constructing a new checkpoint on Route Michigan April 10 in western Ramadi.

"We're standing up an entry control point on one of the main roads for Ramadi," said Sgt. Bryan Burgin. "This ECP will allow the Iraqi army and Iraqi police to set up a checkpoint, so they can control what comes in and out of the city."

The 26-year-old Cooperstown, N.Y., native said the establishment of the entry control point, and secure perimeter around the city will disrupt terrorists from attempting to reenter Ramadi.

"This will allow the Iraqi security forces to prevent vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices, and movement of illegal weapons and materials back into the city," Burgin said.

Pfc. Brandon Hay, also from Company C, said that along with the ECP, the city would be fortified by concertina wire and berms, which could stop the insurgents from conducting attacks inside the city.

"It's going to close the area off because the berm and triple-strand concertina wire is a deterrent for any form of terrorist acts," said the 23-year-old Mechanicsburg, Pa., native. "If we can block off the flow of munitions, the insurgents will begin to run out."

During the construction, the engineers were joined by the Iraqi police, who helped the Soldiers with fortifying the perimeter.

"This is a big open area that terrorists can enter the city," said Sgt. Salah Erzige Bada, an Iraqi policeman from the Aheps Iraqi police station. "We protect the people in this area, so we're here to help out."

Burgin and the Soldiers valued the added help, which they see as a reflection of the commitment Iraqi police have to their people.

"It's good to see such a joint-effort," he said. "The Iraqis are working hand-in-hand with us to improve their communities."

Although the workload is immense, Burgin said having Iraqis along makes the task go at a faster pace.

"We're doing good, real good," he said. "Everyone is working well together. Aside from the language barriers, the ISF are eager to do their part, and we're doing everything we can to help better the lives of the Iraqis here."

"This is really a two-fold mission," Burgin added. "One, it's keeping the terrorists out of the city and two, it allows the ISF to have a direct hand in improving the security of Ramadi."

The security improvements are just one of the ways the engineers contribute to the success of operations in Ramadi.

• Date Taken: 05.14.2007
• Date Posted: 05.14.2007 14:09
• Story ID: 10353
• Location: RAMADI, IQ