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By Spc. Grant T. Okubo
4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division
FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY, Iraq – The streets of Baghdad are the number one priority of the Soldiers of 1st Platoon, Company A, Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light).
For these Soldiers, part of their daily mission is to go out at a deliberate pace and search routes for possible improvised explosive devices and explosively formed projectiles, said Capt. Preston Thayer, platoon leader, 1st Platoon, Company A.
Thayer, a Sewell, N.J. native, explained that if they do locate a device, such as an IED or an EFP, they then contact the Explosive Ordnance Disposal team.
Thayer stated the route-clearance mission these Soldiers conduct is a valuable part of successfully completing the Patriot Brigade's overall mission.
"The way I've always felt is if we do find an EFP or an IED, we just saved three Soldiers' lives," continued Thayer.
Thayer also stated the goal of their mission in Iraq is to help the Iraqi people.
"We are here to help clear their routes and keep them safer," reported Thayer.
Observation plays a vital role for Soldiers conducting route clearance. "You have to have a really good eye and just be able to tell when there is something out of the ordinary," said Sgt. Tim Smith, 1st Platoon team leader from Southlake Tahoe, Calif.
Smith explained, any small detail can provide a clue to possible danger. The Soldiers conducting route clearance missions get to know the routes in Baghdad well.
While conducting route clearance, 1st Platoon Soldiers use various vehicles and equipment to get the job done safely.
In addition to a vehicle called the "Husky," Soldiers of 1st Platoon use the "Buffalo," which works in tandem with the "Husky," said Sgt. Robert Clark, Smith's 1st Platoon comrade from Ogden, Utah. Clark uses the "Buffalo" to clear debris.
Clark takes pride in his job and in driving a "Buffalo," aka "Bone Crusher," named for the one seen in the movie "Transformers." He stated he even bought a toy replica of the "Bone Crusher" for one of his children. Clark is proud to be deployed with this crew.
"I trust them with my life," said Clark. "There is not a better crew out there."
Clark highlighted safety and functionality as two highpoints of using the "Buffalo" for route clearance.
"It's a lot safer, and you get a lot better angles of what you're trying to view," said Clark. "With the 'Buffalo,' you're able to see a better angle on everything in the surrounding area."
Before arriving in Baghdad, Thayer and his men trained to do route clearance missions during a Joint Readiness Training Center rotation at Fort Polk, La., along with other training exercises in garrison, which has helped Thayer's platoon.
"I do feel my platoon is definitely prepared for this mission," explained Thayer, who has found the transition from training to actual missions smooth. A route-clearance platoon from the previous unit shared their experiences with Thayer's crew, which helped 1st Platoon prepare.
"They (2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division) definitely had a lot of great information for us," said Thayer. "They actually gave us a lot of new TTPs (tactics, techniques and procedures)."
In addition to what 2-2 gave them, 1st Platoon has been developing some of their own TTPs, cited Thayer.
| Date Taken: | 01.09.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 01.09.2008 17:48 |
| Story ID: | 15321 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 255 |
| Downloads: | 163 |
This work, 'Buffalo' and 'Husky' help keep Baghdad roads safe, by SPC Grant Okubo, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
