Photo By Staff Sgt. Timothy Sander | U.S. Soldiers of 2nd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, and Iraqi soldiers of...... read more read more
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By Staff Sgt. Tim Sander
215th Movile Public Affairs Detachment
JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq – The massive blades of the CH-47 Chinook helicopter were churning through the hot, night air, throwing dust and rocks from the barren field into the Soldiers' faces as it lifted into the dark sky, leaving them behind with only their weapons and Iraqi counterparts to keep them safe.
As the dust began to settle, the U.S. Soldiers of 2nd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, and Iraqi soldiers of 3rd Battalion, 17th Brigade, started moving, using the dim, green glow of their night-vision goggles to navigate through the rugged terrain and into their target village, Aug. 11, 2008.
The purpose of the mission was to conduct a joint air assault with Iraqi security forces to deny the enemy freedom of movement while searching for weapon caches, said Sgt. 1st Class Peter E. Bjorklund, a native of Clarksville, Tenn., and the non-commissioned officer in charge of 2nd platoon, 2-320th FAR. A secondary goal of the operation was to provide the IA with valuable training in night-time air assault missions.
According to Sgt. Maj. Robert Levis, the operations sergeant major of 2-320th FAR, another benefit of the joint mission was that it built confidence between the local Iraqi citizens and the Iraqi army.
"The local citizens ... saw Iraqi soldiers, U.S. Soldiers and Airmen descend on their village from the sky as one team fighting the insurgency to secure Iraq," said Levis, who is also from Clarksville, Tenn.
Capt. Rob Pratt, the commander of Bravo Battery, 2-320th, said the results of missions like this are beginning to emerge as local Iraqi citizens are increasingly providing the Iraqi security forces with valuable information that leads to a safer Iraq.
"The overall perception of the population right now is 'Hey, the IA is taking ownership,'" said Pratt, a native of Moorefield, W. Va. One of the goals of coalition forces, said Pratt, is to aid and reinforce that.
In addition to the valuable experience the IA gained from the mission, Levis said the night-time air assault served other purposes as well.
"The air assault alone will motivate any Soldier; and to do it at night, under night vision, really adds to [the IA soldiers'] capabilities," he said.
Since 2-320th FAR arrived in Iraq last September, their main priorities have been securing the population and aiding the development of ISF.
"Task Force 'Balls of the Eagle,' in conjunction with the military transition team, is conducting joint patrols on a weekly basis to identify any shortcomings and to prepare the Iraqi army to take the lead in this fight," said Levis.
And according to Levis, these efforts have paid off: "We have reduced the enemy threat to the people of Iraq and personnel living on the local bases immensely and continue to provide economic stability and assistance to the local government daily."
| Date Taken: | 09.02.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 09.02.2008 06:57 |
| Story ID: | 23110 |
| Location: | BALAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 180 |
| Downloads: | 111 |
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