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Palm Groves

Photo By Spc. Michael Pfaff | BAQUBA, Iraq (Nov. 10, 2005) -- Spc. Michael Bruns, a native of Chico, Calif.,...... read more read more

BAQUBAH, IRAQ

11.18.2005

Courtesy Story

133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

by Spc. Michael Pfaff
133rd MPAD
11Nov2005

BAQUBA, Iraq (Nov. 11, 2005) " For the last 10 months, 1st Battalion 10th Field Artillery has trained the Iraqi Army to assume responsibility for security in the surrounding areas of Baquba.

On patrols of near here, the Iraqi Army has taken the lead as Soldiers from Alpha Battery provided backup.

"They will do the clearing and we're there in case they need any support," said Sgt. 1st Class Richard Bryant, the platoon sergeant for 3rd platoon and a native of Tuscaloosa, Ala.

The area that the Iraqi Army cleared was a palm grove with abandoned houses where insurgents were suspected to be hiding. Using mine detectors, they also search for buried weapons caches.

"The mission is to deny freedom of movement for the insurgency," said Bryant. "And, we also want to gather intelligence and any weapons that could be used against anti-coalition forces."

Iraqi troops are matched with American Soldiers of similar grades.

"This allows them to work together and continue the training from Soldier level to senior leadership level," said Cpt. Pat Moffett, A. Battery commander for the 1-10th Field Artillery.

The new Iraqi Army is well equipped, having the gear and weapons they need to accomplish missions here.

"They used to show up in work clothes," said Spc. Michael Mosier, a breach man for 3rd platoon and native of Mauckport, Ind. "Now, they look like a real army."

Looking like a real army doesn't mean just having the right gear, said Mosier. The 1-10th has trained the Iraqi Army to be tactically proficient. As the patrol neared a house, the 1-10th Soldiers held back and pulled security while the Iraqi Army breached and cleared the houses in a tactical manner.

"When we first cleared this area, they did whatever they wanted," Mosier said. "Now, they have squads and work together. You tell them one thing and they go out and execute."

On this most recent patrol, 1-10th Soldiers rarely had to give the Iraqi Army instruction on how to clear the houses. The Iraqi Army's senior leadership gave most of the commands.

"We're just here as an over-watch," Mosier said. "The leadership in the Iraqi Army takes control. If their First Sergeant starts barking, they all come running."

The Iraqi Army didn't find any weapon caches on their latest patrol, but the mission was a success, Moffett said.

"We didn't find any caches, but the Iraqi Army moved well," Moffett said.

This patrol was a joint effort between the Iraqi Army and coalition forces, but the Iraqi Army has come a long way in moving toward full responsibility of securing the Baquba area.

"When we first got here, we did a lot of individual operations," Moffett said. "In the last five to six months, they've been conducting their own operations. In some cases, they've actually requested us to stay out of the way."

When Soldiers from the 1-10th leave here and head for home, they are placing citizens of Baquba in safe hands with an Iraqi Army they have helped train to protect the people they serve.