Photo By Staff Sgt. James Hunter | Spc. Phillips Casey, a native of Cartersville, Ga., pulls security along side Iraqi...... read more read more
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By Sgt. James Hunter
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division
BAGHDAD – As coalition forces move toward more of an overwatch position and Iraqi security forces take control of the streets of Iraq, it is essential to ensure the ISF is well trained and ready to man the streets without a coalition presence.
To do this, they must train – and the best way to ensure they truly are ready and capable is to put them out into the environment to patrol and interact with the local Iraqi citizens.
Such was the case on April 9 as Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers conducted a joint, dismounted patrol in the Abu Ghraib market with Iraqi army soldiers from the 3rd battalion, 24th brigade, 6th Iraqi army division.
Prior to pushing out into the market, 2nd Lt. Vincent Barber, a native of Toledo, Ohio, met with his Iraqi army counterpart to discuss the upcoming mission.
Together, they planned the route, where the vehicles would be placed and the task and purpose of the mission, said Barber, a platoon leader with 1st Platoon, Battery B, 1st Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).
"I don't go in with a planned mission and say this is what we are doing," he said.
Barber said he wanted feedback from the Iraqi lieutenant to ensure they were on the same page and that both took something away from their meeting.
Afterwards, the two platoons rehearsed dismounted maneuvers and room-clearing procedures.
"We are really trying to incorporate rehearsals a lot more. We're schooled in maneuver, and it's a lot different than how they do it," Barber said. "It's a part of the things we can bring to them; we bring a little bit more order. They are really starting to adapt to our (tactics, techniques and procedures)."
Following the rehearsals, they pushed out into the market to conduct atmospherics of the area, and interacted with the local citizens to find out if they have the basic services needed for everyday survival, said Spc. Phillips Casey, a native of Cartersville, Ga., with 1st Platoon, 1-320th FA.
"The main thing is they have (basic) services; they have water and some electricity," Barber said.
However, and perhaps more importantly, they are happy about the security in the area brought to them by Iraqi security and coalition forces, said Casey.
"We are stepping up the amount of patrols we do so they feel a lot more secure than they have in the past," Barber said. "There are a lot more people coming into the market, which is good because it brings in more commerce; it keeps the money in the area rather than everyone going outwards, especially in our area because it's really a rural farm type economy so that gives them a place to bring their crops."
More now than ever, the local citizens within the community see the faces of the Iraqi army soldiers. Two to three times a week, Barber and his platoon conduct combined operations with the IA troops.
Their continued venture into the community is bringing the best out of them, Casey said. Often, the local children would mostly flock to the American forces patrolling the area; however, the more they make their presence known, then the more the children flock to them as well.
"They have stepped up with their professionalism. They have come a long way when it comes to dealing with the Iraqi people," Barber said. "(U.S. Forces) are a little more respectful when dealing with the local nationals, and I think they have picked up on our TTPs when it comes to dealing with the people – winning the (counterinsurgency battle)."
Casey said he believes the Iraqi army is gradually improving.
"They are getting better. You can tell they are definitely a young army," Casey said. "We've been around a long time, so we've got a lot of military history."
| Date Taken: | 04.17.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 04.17.2008 14:59 |
| Story ID: | 18525 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 377 |
| Downloads: | 346 |
This work, Strike Soldiers, IA patrol Abu Ghraib market, discover needs of local Iraqi citizens, by SSG James Hunter, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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