Focusing on Training and Readiness

02.12.2009

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Joseph Askins 

555th Engineer Brigade

By Sgt. 1st Class Joseph Askins
555th Engineer Brigade

Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri's 555th Engineer Brigade's 5th Engineering Battalion, 509th Mobilization Augmentation Company's 2nd Platoon's non-commissioned officers set the example in every task, action and purpose undertaken is to ensure their squads, teams and vehicles are always mission-ready. In everything they accomplish, they continuously strive for excellence, focusing on training and readiness - two important focal points for NCO. During the platoon's many route clearance missions in the Diyala province, we were assigned to clear and open a route to allow freedom of movement for coalition forces to conduct combat operations in a known al-Qaida in Iraq hotspot.

On June 20, 2008 while clearing a route, the platoon encountered five improvised explosive devices in a 50 meter radius. The IEDs were buried plastic jugs filled with 20-40 lbs of homemade explosives, victim-operated, with hair-crush angel wire. The blasting cap contained the only metal in the IED, making it impossible for the Husky to detect. The Husky's were modified with blowers to remove the moon dust (talcum powder-like dirt) covering the route, exposing the crush-wire and IED. I witnessed a mission-focused group of Soldiers perform their assigned tasks exactly as they were trained to do: following orders without hesitation or fear. This resulted from the countless hours, between missions, that the non-commissioned officers of the platoon spent ensuring that their Soldiers were trained, ready and confident in their assigned mission.

The first strike detonated on the lead Husky almost separating the rear module from the vehicle. While clearing the area around the downed vehicle, the second husky encountered a second IED and continued sweeping forward to clear the area for recovery. The third vehicle in the patrol, a RG-31, a multi-purpose mine-protected vehicle equipped with mine rollers, attempted to maneuver to a cleared area and a third IED detonated on the rollers. All of this movement was initiated and conducted to retrieve the driver of the first Husky. The third squad leader, Sgt. Jesse Cody, backed his RG-31 to the first Husky to retrieve the operator after the second Husky swept and cleared the area again. Once the operator was secure, Sgt. Cody proceeded back across the canal in his RG-31 to allow the medic to evaluate the Soldier and, if necessary, conduct a casualty evacuation.

The Buffalo, a mine resistant ambush protected vehicle, moved forward across the canal to receive better reception to employ the Talon robot to blow in place the second IED. A fourth IED detonated on the Buffalo's front tire as it was maneuvering into position, but failed to achieve a mobility kill. Recovery assets were called and two Stryker assault vehicles maneuvered to assist in securing the area and occupied a position along a small side road which had been swept by the second Husky. A heavy equipment and truck and transport recovered the Husky; a Wrecker pulled forward down the road where the two Strykers were located to recover the mine rollers. A fifth IED detonated on the Wrecker, damaging its hydraulics, resulting in another Wrecker being summoned to recover the mine rollers. 21 hours after the route clearance mission began, 2/509th recovered all their vehicles, Soldiers, and began movement back to FOB Warhorse for maintenance and refit. Two days later, the 2/509th was returned to this same route with the same equipment and cleared and opened the route, interdicting 10 more IEDs.

A well trained, competent Soldier, who is confident in his/her actions, conveys more about his/her NCO than any other form of recognition. The instilled confidence and empowerment are lasting attributes that will continue to make and prepare Soldiers for combat.

• Date Taken: 02.12.2009
• Date Posted: 02.12.2009 11:03
• Story ID: 29946