IEDs Harm More Than Soldiers

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

08.31.2004

Courtesy Story

DVIDS Hub       

By Pfc. Matthew McLaughlin

CAMP VICTORY NORTH, Baghdad, Iraq -- An improvised explosive device blast cannot see a uniform. A weapon of choice for insurgents, IEDs indiscriminately kill and destroy anything around it, including innocent bystanders.

An IED struck a bridge along Route Tampa, Aug. 20. No Soldiers were injured but the bridge was incapacitated and an irrigation structure supplying the local community with water for farming was also seriously damaged, said 1st Lt. Thomas Overmyer, Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division. "They actually did more harm to their own people than us in the long run," he said.

This is not the first IED 2-14 INF Soldiers encountered that caused more damage to the Iraqi community than to Soldiers. During patrols supporting the Iraqi national conference, an IED struck 2-14 Infantry Soldiers on patrol, Aug. 15. No Soldiers were harmed but the vehicle was incapacitated.

Another irrigation structure supplying was also damaged.This is just another example of reckless insurgent tactics causing harm to the Iraqi community, said Capt. William Prayner, Jr., HHC, 2-14 INF commander.

"Not only was the IED detrimental to the security of Iraq, they also damaged the local infrastructure as well," he said.

Iraqi citizens aren't as fortunate, however. Innocent bystanders often are caught in the reckless blast of IEDs or rocket propelled grenades. Spc. Irene DeLeon, 425th Civil Affairs Battalion of Santa Barbra, Calif., cited an example of an Iraqi girl who lost members of her family and her ability to walk as a result of a random attack."

A little girl was hit by shrapnel and it paralyzed her from the waist down," DeLeon said. "Her brother, sister, and step-mother were also killed.

Lots of innocent people get killed. I guess they don't care as long as they get to us." Children have been victims of curiosity in many instances, Pfc. August Dumbrow, Headquarters Company 2nd BDE, 10th Mnt. Div. said. "Kids are curious," Dumbrow said.

"Some IEDs and mines look like toys. They go to play with it and die. Those weapons are indiscriminate. They'll detonate on anyone." Another major and indiscriminate IED threat are vehicle born IEDs. Dumbrow noted an incident July 28, in which a VBIED was used on Iraqis outside of a police station.

"Civilians were outside an Iraqi police station filling out applications for jobs," he said.

"They killed a group of innocent civilians. They seem to forget about their own people to get to us."

Dumbrow also noted that structural damage is hindering coalition forces attempts to improve the quality of life for the Iraqi people."IEDs damage roads, bridges and other infrastructure," he said. "That's not United States property. IED damage can effect shipment of important goods to needy communities."

Since March, 12 known IEDs have been placed on bridges in Iraq. Seven were detonated, five were found before they could be used. All the bridges were along major roadways. In one instance, an IED destroyed a 30-foot section of a bridge, rendering it unusable, Dumbrow said.

"They're trying to destroy any progress we are making," DeLeon said. "They destroy pipelines and roads trying to delay the progress."DeLeon said she has no respect for the insurgents and considers their tactics un-soldierly.

"The enemy uses IEDs and RPGs from a distance," she said. "There is no face to it. Soldiers can't see who they're fighting. It's a coward's way of fighting."

• Date Taken: 08.31.2004
• Date Posted: 08.31.2004 09:54
• Story ID: 302
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ