Photo By Staff Sgt. Lyndsey Prax | Sgt. 1st Class Eddie Williammee, a native of Gatesville, Texas, who serves as platoon...... read more read more
By Pfc. Lyndsey Dransfield
Multi-National Division – Baghdad
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – Whether it's a five minute meet-and-greet or an eight hour meeting of Iraqi and U.S. government officials, the Personal Security Detail teams of the 4th Infantry Division are responsible for safely escorting personnel to and from wherever their destination may be.
Soldiers from Company D, Division Special Troops Battalion, 4th Inf. Div., Multi-National Division – Baghdad, have been busy crisscrossing the crowded streets of Baghdad for nearly eight months now, escorting both military and civilian personnel to wherever they need to go.
"Our mission changes daily. Sometimes we pick people up somewhere and drop them off somewhere else. Other times, we wait outside and pull security while they're in a meeting," said Sgt. Ryan Biro, a native of Largo, Fla., who serves as a truck commander with 2nd Squad, 3rd Plt., Co. D, DSTB. "Whatever the mission is, we're there to make sure things are safe."
Regardless of how long the mission lasts, Biro says it is necessary to get these individuals where they need to go in order to accomplish the overall mission.
"Sometimes we escort doctors to hospitals throughout the city so they can meet with the local doctors and evaluate hospital equipment to provide better health care," he said. "A lot of our missions contribute to the progress [of Iraq]."
Many of the Soldiers volunteer to serve on a PSD team. They're required to be tactically and technically proficient, meet all of the regular Army standards and complete additional training specific to the job.
"The Soldiers go through a course provided by the [Military Police] school, a train-the-trainer course and a three-week readiness course," said 1st Lt. Edward Smith, a native of Dallas, who serves as platoon leader of 3rd Pltn. When all this additional training is completed, they are ready for PSD missions.
Not only do Soldiers on PSD teams have to be tactically proficient, they must also maintain professionalism and flexibility at all times.
"In the infantry, we usually work with the same people and practice the same techniques every day," said Pfc. Eric South, a native of Russleville, Ala., who serves as a driver with 3rd Pltn. "This is a different environment. Here, we're working with different people all the time. You must constantly be professional and aware of your surroundings."
The Soldiers and leaders strategically plan each mission, taking all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of not only those they're escorting, but their own safety and the safety of their teammates.
"We are always cautious," said Spc. James Zollman, native of Crossett, Ark., who serves as a gunner with 3rd Pltn. "I have a family; I have to come home alive. And I'm not the only one, so I have to make sure everyone else gets back alive too."
It is that mentality of preparation, preparedness and professionalism instilled in the PSD Soldiers of 3rd Pltn., Co. D, DSTB, which makes them so successful in their vital mission.
| Date Taken: | 08.23.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 08.23.2008 09:30 |
| Story ID: | 22792 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 180 |
| Downloads: | 144 |
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