Iraqi soldiers in Baqubah train under fire

Courtesy Photo | Spc. Edwin Kane of Company B, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, and a soldier from 2nd Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division, move through a gate in Baqubah, Iraq, April 23. Soldiers of the 20 Inf. Regt., 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, from Fort Lewis, Wash., began the clearing operation with Iraqi army soldiers April 23 to rid the Tahrir neighborhood of insurgents.  

BAQUBAH, IRAQ

05.17.2007

Courtesy Story

5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment   

By Staff Sgt. Antonieta Rico
5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

BAQOUBA, Iraq -- Soldiers with the 5th Iraqi Army Division have been working alongside the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, since the Stryker Battalion's arrival in Baqubah in early March, improving their skills as they clear the city.

They have actively participated in several combat operations on the eastern side of Baqubah, integrating with the Stryker Soldiers and learning from them along the way.

Side by side, the Iraqi and U.S. Soldiers faced heavy resistance from insurgents during a recent week-long clearing operation in the Tahrir neighborhood.

"We integrated a platoon of Iraqi Army Soldiers into our squads and cleared (buildings) with them," said 1st Lt. Colin Layne, a platoon leader with Company B, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, from Fort Lewis, Wash. "We usually do a little class on room clearing before every operation."

But most of what the Iraqi army soldiers learn from the Stryker Soldiers is done as they clear houses and move together through the streets of Baqubah, under enemy fire.

"They see how we do things," said Staff Sgt. Robert Woodring, a squad leader with Co. B.

Woodring integrated several Iraqi soldiers into his squad during the Tahrir clearing mission.

"They move down the street just like we do," Woodring said. Not only do the Iraq soldiers learn how to move tactically by watching, they have also improved in searching the neighborhoods for weapon caches.

"They are getting better trained every time they come out with us," said Sgt. 1st Class Joseph Labrosse, a platoon sergeant with Co. B.

The Stryker Soldiers say they are impressed by the Iraqi soldier's abilities.

"They are really good at searching," Woodring said. "They know where to look."

During the clearing of Tahrir, the battalion reported locating 30 pre-rigged bombs, two machine guns, four mortar tubes, 75 rifles, as well as homemade explosives, ammunition and rocket propelled grenades. The caches also included bomb-making materials, terrorist propaganda, military-style clothing and fake identification cards.

The Stryker Soldiers hope that receiving training under fire will better prepare the Iraqi soldiers to take over security for their own country.

"When our country leaves, when our forces leave, (the Iraqis) will be able to stand up and take care of the job," said Woodring.

• Date Taken: 05.17.2007
• Date Posted: 05.17.2007 12:51
• Story ID: 10434
• Location: BAQUBAH, IQ