JOINT SECURITY STATION SHAWRA WA UM JIDIR, Iraq – As security conditions improve in eastern Baghdad, Iraq, Patriot Brigade infantry Soldiers are determined to keep supporting Iraqi security forces protecting the people through continual patrols.
To this end, Soldiers assigned to Company B, 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light), conducted a dismounted patrol in Hay Nassir, Aug. 26, 2008.
Fewer incidents of violence have influenced the area and its residents now than when the unit first arrived, said Pfc. Boston Snelson, from Chestnut, Ill., who serves with Co. B, 2nd Bn., 30th Inf. Regt.
During their dismounted patrol, 1st Platoon Soldiers traveled through and made a population assessment of the area, explained Staff Sgt. Daniel Desoto.
The area was heavy with violent activity just a few months ago; however, things have calmed down, considerably, said Desoto, a Pineville, La., native.
Now when the platoon patrols the area, people come to the Soldiers and talk with them, he commented.
With the added sense of security, reconstruction projects have resumed in the area, and the local community in Hay Nassir sees the Multi-National Division - Baghdad Soldiers keeping their promise to help Iraqi officials bring essential services to the people, Desoto continued, adding that the residents recognize the returning Soldiers, who have developed a rapport and formed bonds with the people.
As relationships between the Soldiers and citizens have improved, so has the peoples' willingness to provide valuable information about illegal activities in the area, said Desoto.
The Soldiers' capabilities to gauge activity in the area and recognize social queues have improved as well, he said, because there are things Soldiers can see that they wouldn't have picked up on six or seven months ago, and that is due mostly to the added experience of working in the area for awhile and getting to know the people in it.
Sgt. Orentheous Reed, a who serves with 1st Platoon, Co. B, and hails from Blakely, Ga., said he has witnessed big changes in Hay Nassir and is happy with the progress that has been made in part because of the efforts his platoon has made.
With all of the progress, Reed said it is still vitally important that Soldiers exercise caution and remain vigilant in their efforts.
Looking at the area now, he added, it is very hard to imagine when the platoon first arrived on the scene that they would reach the point where they are today.
One factor Snelson attributed the improved conditions in Hay Nassir to is the extraction of "the bad elements" from the area. The constant presence of Soldiers and Iraqi security forces, he said, has played a key role in bring about positive changes.
"The more we're out there, the more the threat level goes down," concluded Snelson.
| Date Taken: |
09.07.2008 |
| Date Posted: |
09.07.2008 03:40 |
| Story ID: |
23321 |
| Location: |
JOINT SECURITY STATION SHAWRA WA UM JIDIR, IQ |
| Web Views: |
259 |
| Downloads: |
111 |
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This work, Patriot brigade continues support of Iraqi troops, by SPC Grant Okubo, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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