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Support Soldiers convoy into 'Lion's Den'

Photo By Spc. Kelly McDowell | CAMP STRYKER, Iraq: The Soldiers of F Company, A Company and D Company, 526th BSB,...... read more read more

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

11.07.2005

Courtesy Story

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Pfc. Kelly K. McDowell
2/101st Airborne Division PAO

BAGHDAD -- Before the sun heated the cool desert sands of Iraq, the Soldiers of 526th Brigade Support Battalion prepared for yet another mission in support of the many elements within the brigade.

The Soldiers"who support 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, but fall under 526th BSB'spent Oct. 29 loading trucks and trailers with supplies for the troops supporting the Iraqi Soldiers stationed west of the Baghdad International Airport. The support battalion is part of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division.

Then, in the early-morning darkness of Oct. 30, the Soldiers gathered for a prayer and final safety checks before embarking on their mission to the "Lion's Den."

"Even though we are mainly a support element platoon, our pride is extremely high," said Staff Sgt. LaDale Sumerall, platoon sergeant, F Company, 526th BSB.

Sumerall said the Soldiers of 526th BSB know they are just as much in the fight to help the Iraqis by doing their support mission.

The unit rotates the troops who are to go on convoys and Soldiers who stay behind in the different camps. Some spend up to five days with the Iraqi Security Forces and Iraqi Soldiers, helping them build their camps by filling sandbags, working on construction projects, manning checkpoints and improving hygiene facilities.

"This gives us a chance to do our part to support the troops. Some of the Soldiers may not be able to get phone calls, e-mail or regular mail, even religious services," said Sumerall. "We can go out there and deliver these things to the fighting troops, the infantry."

Sumerall said the company even found a way to surprise 2nd Bn., 502nd Inf. Reg. by bringing the battalion chaplain and the chaplain's assistant along in a convoy to the "Lion's Den" for religious services. The supply platoon also brought them hot meals, fruits, juices and energy bars to help give the troops a bit of comfort during the long days.

The Soldiers who have spent days away from the comforts of Camp Striker were high-spirited and positive about their mission.

"It's good stuff," said Spc. Michael Remaley, F Co., 526th BSB, as he took a break from downloading cases of bottled water from the delivery trucks and trailers. "We are here helping to better the (Iraqi Soldiers") way of life. Out here, we have been able to talk to the Iraqis, get to know them. You start realizing they are human just like us and we are becoming friends."

Remaley said his days in the "Lion's Den" have been filled with rewarding work.

"I love it out here," he said. "We work side by side with the Iraqi Soldiers. We have completed their buildings, secured the buildings with sandbags, issued out fuel and at the end of the day we all sit by the fire and eat dinner together."

As the sun rose over the camp walls, the convoy had successfully unloaded at least three water buffaloes with both potable and non-potable water, multiple cases of bottled water, crates of MREs and comfort items such as foam mattresses and mail from home.

After rolling back into Camp Striker, the Soldiers dismounted the vehicles and gathered for an after action review and debriefing before heading back to the unit's building to start planning for the next mission.

"Our days do not end when we return from a mission," Sumerall said. "We perform maintenance on the vehicles and begin to prepare for our next mission which could be the next morning or four days away, you just never know."