By Sgt. Brian Tierce
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division
BAGHDAD – Being thrust into an unfamiliar environment can be challenging in any situation. Being thrust into a new environment in a war zone can be even more tumultuous. Thus is the life of a group of cavalry troopers, who are taking on the challenge of making the Ghazaliyah District of northwest Baghdad a better place to live.
The troopers from the 5th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, assumed control of the Ghazaliyah District on Nov. 15. With the transition complete, the troopers are already beginning to settle into their respective Joint Security Stations.
"Everything around here has been pretty slow, but we have a lot of missions," said Sgt. Guadalupe Ramos, senior medic, Troop C, 5-4 Cav. Regt., a native of Freer, Texas. "There hasn't been anything going on for the past couple of weeks."
A unique feature about the security stations the troopers live and operate on is the close partnership they share with Iraqi security forces, who also call the stations home. This cohabitation allows a new level of partnership to develop among the troopers and Iraqis.
"From my perspective, the partnership we have with the Iraqi security forces is going very well," said Sgt. Maj. Craig Pinkley, 5-4 Cav. Regt., operations senior-enlisted leader, and a native of Leigh, Neb. "We're really impressed with their knowledge of what they're doing. They are very proud of what they are doing, and they take it very seriously."
Knowing that their Iraqi counterparts are taking their jobs seriously enhances the squadron's ability to accomplish its primary mission in its operational environment. In its short time in the district, the squadron has already made an impact. Working with their ISF partners, the troopers detained a suspected extremist and confiscated a weapons cache.
"We're out there trying to make a difference in Ghazaliyah." explained Pinkley. "We want to make sure that the standard of living in Ghazaliyah is brought up immensely while we're here."
Although the troopers put a lot of their time and energy into their primary mission, that does not mean they don't get a chance to take a break once in a while. As soon as the day's missions are complete, troopers try to find time to catch up on all the little things, such as calling home, writing loved ones and cleaning up their living areas.
"The troopers do a lot of computer work; we also like to call home and work on our field sanitation," added Ramos. "We are confined to a small space, so there is just not a lot we can do."
With little room for extras, the troopers are focused and ready for whatever the next year has to offer on the streets of Baghdad.
"We're getting a feel for it, learning the people, learning the streets and learning the mission," said Pinkley. "It's new to us so we're really kind of excited."
| Date Taken: |
11.30.2008 |
| Date Posted: |
11.30.2008 19:45 |
| Story ID: |
26982 |
| Location: |
BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: |
306 |
| Downloads: |
121 |
PUBLIC DOMAIN
This work, Cavalry Soldiers adjust on fly in Ghazaliyah, by SSG Brian Tierce, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
Subscribe
