Photo By Sgt. Jeremy Pitcher | 1st Lt. Russell Morgan, platoon leader for 2nd Platoon meets with Iraqi army soldiers...... read more read more
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DIYALA, Iraq — A "diamond in the rough" - that seems a fitting description for the small Combat Out Post Diamond, located south of Balad Ruz in the southern Diyala province.
With only eight small tents located on the land, members of Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment under Task Force 3-66, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, along with other "enabler" personnel, call this home.
Their mission, as they rotate from Forward Operating Base Hammer every few days, is an array of tasks that not only help to improve the security of the area, but also improve the region's stability so that many of the displaced people, who once lived in the area, will return one day.
"We do combat patrols, work with the Iraqi army on joint missions, and often check on Iraqi checkpoints to ensure they have what they need and that they are doing their job properly," said 1st Lt. Russell Morgan, 2nd platoon leader for A Company.
Another facet of their mission is to observe the internally displaced population and see what progress is being made and what is still needed for people to return home.
"We are trying to see how many of the internally displaced persons are coming back and seeing if they have basic needs, such as water and electricity, to stay," said Morgan.
Recently the COP underwent a build-up of needed items to help with the living conditions there. Before this expansion Soldiers had no tents or freezers to store water.
"When we first got out here there wasn't much. We lived out of our vehicles and that was it. It was kind of like we were Nomads," said Spc. John McManus of Headquarters platoon.
Though the area around Diamond may be harsh, the spirits on the COP stay high.
"We enjoy working with each other and make the best of it. Often we entertain ourselves with movies or video games. But we will also get together for a game of cards," said Spc. Benjamin Menner.
Recently Task Force 3-66 was tasked to move from FOB Hammer further north to FOB Caldwell. The process will change the 'second home' for the residents of Diamond, while adding in the interesting task of moving tons of equipment on the few days they are actually there.
"It's kind of nice - having somewhere new to live all of the sudden. The move has also helped to make time go by pretty fast because we have all stayed so busy," said McManus.
For it all, COP Diamond was established for a sole purpose: to continue the security and stability progress that Task Force 3-66 has worked so hard to accomplish thus far.
"The tangible evidence that we have done our job successfully is when the people begin to move back. That's how we know we've made the difference," said Morgan.
| Date Taken: | 06.06.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 06.06.2009 05:15 |
| Story ID: | 34637 |
| Location: | DIYALA PROVINCE, IQ |
| Web Views: | 411 |
| Downloads: | 379 |
This work, Combat Out Post Diamond helps secure remote area, by SGT Jeremy Pitcher, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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