Dagger security detail hits the streets

Photo By Staff Sgt. Brian Tierce | Col. Joseph Martin, commander, 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, and Sgt. 1st Class Bill Collins, who serves with the brigade's personal security detail, talk prior to a recent mission. The Soldiers of the Dagger brigade PSD are riding alongside their counterparts from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), prior to their transfer of authority to get more familiar with the streets of Baghdad.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

11.06.2008

Story by Staff Sgt. Brian Tierce 

2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division Public Affairs

By Sgt. Brian Tierce
2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division

BAGHDAD, Iraq – The streets of Baghdad are sprawling with business. As security takes hold in the Iraqi capital, Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers of the 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division security detail are hitting the streets with their counterparts.

The purpose of their current mission is to get familiar with the routes they will be navigating over the next year as the Dagger Brigade works to provide security and transition even more of that security to their Iraqi counterparts.

"Situational awareness is one of the most basic, fundamental assets Soldiers can have to keep themselves safe," said Staff Sgt. Galo Roman, a New York native with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd HBCT. "We need this time to learn these routes to ensure we don't make a mistake, which could cause Soldiers undue harm."

A typical day for the Soldiers currently consists of early morning briefings followed by a full schedule of convoys throughout the brigade's area of responsibility.

"It is a lot different now than the last time I was here, that is for sure," said Sgt. Dustin Lerch, HHC, 2nd HBCT, of Farmersberg, Iowa. "Even with the added security, it is still a war zone, and you have to be prepared for anything at any time."

Another aspect of the current mission of personal security is the mission the Soldiers will face in the coming year. A key part of the rebuilding process involves key leaders engaging the local leaders of the community, which involves trips into the community to conduct these exchanges.

"We will definitely get to see Baghdad up close and personal during this deployment," said Roman. "But for me, I think there will be more handshakes than firefights this time around."

It won't be long now before the Daggers assume full responsibility of their area of operations from the 2nd "Strike" Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), but with the knowledge that is being exchanged between the Soldiers, the transition is expected to be smooth.

"This is actually the unit I served with during my last tour," added Lerch. "They are top notch, and we consider ourselves to be just as good so I expect no problems as we take over the area."

• Date Taken: 11.06.2008
• Date Posted: 11.06.2008 02:32
• Story ID: 25980
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ