Photo By Spc. Josh Lecappelain | Soldiers with Troop B, 1st Squadron, 33rd Cavalry Regiment train members of the Iraqi...... read more read more
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By Spc. Josh LeCappelain
4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division
FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – In early August, Soldiers from 1st Squadron, 33rd Cavalry Regiment undertook a mammoth task – transitioning their entire team from Camp Striker south to Convoy Support Center Scania.
The task grew even more challenging when the squadron heard they would no longer fall under 3rd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), but would now be attached to 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division.
Lt. Col. Brian Coppersmith, 1st Sqdn., 33rd Cav. Regt. commander, said his Soldiers have handled the transition very well.
"The right kind of change is excellent for an organization," said Coppersmith, a native of Olean, N.Y., noting that his Soldiers have stayed motivated and positive through all their changes. "[My Soldiers] have a new mission that is worthwhile. Their living conditions are an improvement to where we were before, and we've been embraced by the local population."
"They see that the principles they've learned of counterinsurgency apply to a different location but still produce a positive result. They're engaged in the mission – and embrace it," he said.
The mission for 1st Sqdn., 33rd Cav. Regt. at CSC Scania is four-fold, according to Coppersmith, a West Point graduate.
The "War Rakkasans" run CSC Scania, which provides support to convoys in the Multi-National Division – Center area of operations. They also partner with and help professionalize the Iraqi security forces, as well as engage in civil government efforts to improve government capabilities.
The primary mission, however, is the interdiction of Iranian influence and foreign lethal aid that comes to and through their operating area.
The "War Rakkasans" have been able to execute these missions from day one, thanks to the support of 4th BCT.
"[4th BCT's] been awesome," said Coppersmith, who is on his fourth deployment to Iraq. "[4th BCT commander] Col. [Thomas] James' effort has been very straight forward. We're aware of his operations and missions. It was very [easy] to become part of his organization."
He added that 4th BCT has provided excellent staff support and top-notch assistance from their leadership, ensuring their transition was seamless.
At the same time that Coppersmith and the rest of 1st Sqdn., 33rd Cav. Regt. leadership were gearing up for their move, the Soldiers of Troop B, 1st Sqdn., 33rd Cav. Regt. were putting the final touches on transitioning Combat Outpost Corregidor to the Iraqi Army, before joining the rest of their squadron at CSC Scania.
"It takes a massive effort to move across Iraq," said 1st Lt. John Hill, Trp. B executive officer and a native of Memphis, Tenn. "We did it pretty smoothly, transitioning well and maintaining our fighting capabilities.
Fortunately, even with the significant effort required to complete the transition, the Soldiers aren't disappointed with the move.
"[CSC Scania] is outstanding," said Sgt. 1st Class William Gethner, 3rd Platoon, Trp. B, platoon sergeant. "This is the best I've ever had it while deployed."
"I lead a very adaptable group of Soldiers," said Cpt. Tom Monagahn, Trp. B commander from Atco, N.J., and a graduate of the Citadel. "You throw them a curveball, and they catch it with no problem. They've come in and continued to execute the mission."
Coppersmith echoed these sentiments, and applauded his Soldiers work since deploying.
"Our Soldiers have helped create a breathing space in the Iraqi economy and social fabric, to restitch itself," Coppersmith said, noting that his Soldiers helped contribute an estimated $30 million to the local economy. "Peace takes a long time – our Soldiers have been a guarantor of law and order, allowing the Iraqis to restitch themselves. People are now traveling farther out of their home areas than they ever did before; we've connected people to old friends and contacts they hadn't seen since before 2003."
The real success, as Soldiers of 1st Sqdn., 33rd Cav. Regt. have encountered in Maysan province, is not coalition forces' ability to maintain peace and order, but their Iraqi counterparts.
"The [Iraqi security forces] are doing it now – they are ready. They get it," said Coppersmith. "They understand the need for major intelligence. The Iraqi population trusts them in this area. They [Iraqi police and Iraqi army] are extremely well partnered with each other."
He recalled a conversation he had with an Iraqi citizen earlier in the deployment that demonstrated to him the willingness of the Iraqi people to change.
"He said 'Colonel, I'm glad you're here,'" Coppersmith added. "'I used to be a terrorist, now I'm a businessman. Let's do business.'"
| Date Taken: | 09.04.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 09.04.2008 10:47 |
| Story ID: | 23195 |
| Location: | ISKANDARIYAH, IQ |
| Web Views: | 373 |
| Downloads: | 104 |
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