Big Dawgs search for answers, find friends

Photo By Master Sgt. Mark Burrell | A local vendor talks with 1st Lt. Steven Kelly (center), a platoon leader from Marion, Ind., assigned to Company D, 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, as an Iraqi Army Soldier looks on during a joint patrol in a market in southeastern Baghdad, Aug. 18.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

08.18.2009

Story by Staff Sgt. Mark Burrell 

Multi-National Division Baghdad

BAGHDAD — Recently, Paratroopers of Company D, 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, were attacked by an improvised explosive device outside of Joint Security Station Cleary in southeastern Baghdad. According to 1st Lt. Steven Kelly, a platoon leader in the unit, it was the first time anything like this happened to them in more than nine months in Iraq.

On Aug. 18, the paratroopers and their Iraqi army counterparts donned their armor, loaded their weapons and went on patrol looking to make some contacts, secure the streets and find some answers.

"Nobody wants to mess with the big dog with sharp teeth," said Kelly, from Marion, Ind., assigned to the Dawgs of Co. D.

As the morning began, Iraqi army soldiers led the way into a local market as vendors prepared for the day; splashing water in front of their shops, hanging legs of lamb and arranging fresh produce.

"It's very important to keep a presence for security," explained Capt. Sa'ad Muawzy Lafta, commander of 1st Company, 4th Battalion, 34th Brigade, 11th IA Division. "This kind of patrol is important to talk to people and show that we are here in the neighborhood."

An Iraqi man, standing in front of his shop in the shade of an awning, greeted the joint patrol with a wave and a smile. Tires wrapped in blue, orange and red paper were prominently on display next to hubcaps and salvaged car electronics. The patrol briefly stopped to ask the shop owner if he knew anything about the blast from the other day before moving on.

"This patrol lets whoever's trying to blow us up know that we're here; it lets them know that we're still kicking," said a stern-faced Staff Sgt. Kevin Foxworth, an infantry section leader assigned to Co. D. "Hopefully it deters them from trying to hit us again."

Staff Sgt. Omar Jackson, also an infantry section leader, added that when the paratroopers patrol with the Iraqis, it builds confidence in the community and keeps both the country's Soldiers sharp.

"We're supposed to be one team," said Foxworth, a native of Boston. "And to me, it looked like the IAs have better situational awareness out here today."

As Foxworth took up a position behind a used refrigerator for sale, his Iraqi counterpart mimicked him; taking a knee and scanning his area for danger. Chickens flapped their wings creating a flurry of feathers and noise a few feet away from them as Kelly and Sa'ad spoke with other shop owners.

"When we patrol with the IA like this, it shows the community that their tax dollars and whatever they pay is being put to good use," added Foxworth. "The IAs aren't just stopping cars at checkpoints, but actively patrolling the areas."

As the vendors started to get situated for the day, more and more shoppers came into the market picking out the day's groceries.

"To me, it looks like they're getting back to their way of life by getting out and shopping in the market," said Foxworth while still scanning the crowd for threats. "When I was here before, you didn't see that many people out because you never knew what was going to happen."

The Soldiers eyes widened as they viewed the array of fruits and vegetables - mounds of eggplants, heaps of apples, a cornucopia of citrus fruits and large piles of watermelons. Some paratroopers stopped to bargain with a teenaged vendor for one of the oversized watermelons as the rest pulled security.

"It reminds me of home. Interacting with the people puts a good face on what we're doing here, and it also helps putting a little money in their hands," continued Jackson, from Newark, N.J. "It also shows security is improving; if that wasn't the case, you sure couldn't go out and buy watermelon."

Kelley added, "It shows that we care about them and are worried about their well-being and economy."

The excited troopers hauled their watermelon back to their humvee and rolled out with the IA. The paratroopers made some contacts, had some questions answered and secured the area. Even though the IED was the first incident the paratroopers encountered, their reactions displayed that they haven't become complacent and the Dawgs are still on the prowl; their teeth still sharp.

• Date Taken: 08.18.2009
• Date Posted: 08.22.2009 07:41
• Story ID: 37829
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ