Spc. Ben Brody
Spartan Brigade PAO
BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Soldiers from A Battery, 1st Battalion, 9th Field Artillery, set up traffic control points around the outskirts of Baghdad as part of an effort to stop the transit of illegal firearms and explosives Feb. 27.
The battery is split up into four teams that routinely conduct such missions, but the 27th was the first night that all four teams were out at once.
"Our primary mission tonight is to disrupt enemy activity and provide safer neighborhoods in the area," said 1st Lt. Emory Hayes, A Btry. platoon leader.
"This area is somewhat of a hotbed of enemy activity -- it's very important that we maintain a strong presence here."
Each team traveled in humvees and Field Artillery Support Vehicles, which are large, tracked vehicles designed to follow Paladin howitzers into battle.
As the 1/9 vehicles blocked off one rural road, a line of cars slowed to a halt at the direction of troops on the ground. One by one, Soldiers searched vehicles, and with the help of an interpreter, interviewed the drivers.
After about an hour, the Soldiers moved to a different location and set up another TCP. This one was much darker, on a desolate road and the troops turned all their lights off except for a Soldier holding a flashlight to signal approaching vehicles.
One vehicle was told to continue through the checkpoint, but stopped and told the interpreter he had information on insurgent activity in the area. Soldiers took a statement from the man and sent him on his way.
"We search cars, houses, people -- we're looking at everything when we're out on patrol," said Spc. Jonathan Mardis, A Btry., cannon crewmember.
"A lot of times people give us information that we follow up on."
As the artillerymen perform what are usually thought of as infantry or military police tasks, Mardis, from Atlanta, Ga., said his battery has undergone a lot of different training to prepare them for Iraq. Like most artillerymen in Iraq right now, Mardis said he misses his Paladin, but is quickly learning his new roles.
The sound of chirping frogs and dogs howling was broken by a speeding car racing toward the TCP.
Soldiers shouted, waved flashlights and finally fired a warning shot, at which point the driver slammed on his brakes and stopped. Five somewhat inebriated men emerged from the sedan, and appeared relieved to be alive after nearly running through the TCP.
Soldiers questioned the men, removed and dumped some open beers and told them to drive home carefully.
"It's my main priority to keep my Soldiers safe, and communication is everything out here," said Sgt. Anthony Brown, A Btry. gunner. "Keeping Soldiers safe means keeping them informed -- if they're not informed, they won't know what's going on or what to expect."
Brown, a native of Pittsburgh, Pa. and a veteran of the invasion of Iraq, said he thinks Soldiers have to be even more vigilant now than in 2003.
After another hour or so, the troops started their vehicles, and again moved to set up another checkpoint, where they intended to enforce the curfew in effect in the area.
Only one vehicle was found breaking curfew, and after searching it, Soldiers sent the individuals on their way home.
"The locals" response to our presence varies a lot from place to place," Hayes, of Ellijay, Ga., said. "The poorer areas are mainly Shia, who are generally favorable to us. The more well-to-do areas, the Sunni areas, we usually get a much less friendly welcome.
"The most important thing on these missions is to present a hard target and never form routines," he added. "That's the key to keeping the enemy one step behind."
| Date Taken: | 03.10.2005 |
| Date Posted: | 03.10.2005 15:57 |
| Story ID: | 1300 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 46 |
| Downloads: | 9 |
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