Soldiers stand tall at moment of truth

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Cory Grogan | Soldiers from 1st Platoon, 2nd Squad with the 2nd Battalion of the 218th Field Artillery's Alpha Battery, of Oregon's 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, move in preparation for a mission, Oct. 3, at Al Asad, Iraq. The squad was hit by an Explosive Formed Penetrator, Sept. 22.  

AL ASAD, IRAQ

10.14.2009

Story by Spc. Cory Grogan 

41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team

AL ASAD, Iraq — Soldiers from 1st Platoon, 2nd Squad, with the 2nd Battalion, 218th Field Artillery's Alpha Battery of Oregon's 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team faced a difficult and life changing experience when they confronted and effectively overcame the deadliest threat to service members in Iraq, Sept. 22.

The squad was rolling along on a routine convoy when they took a direct hit from an Explosive Formed Penetrate. An EFP is a piece of metal like a dart traveling at high a velocity that will rip through armor and explode, said Sgt. Nathan Wormer from Portland, Ore.

Members on the truck were lucky to have only sustained minor injuries from the bomb that tore through the armor of the vehicle, but their actions during the incident show how the Soldiers were able to rely on good leadership, training and bravery rather than simply acting as passive targets.

Wormer said he and everyone else knew what they needed to do when they heard the Route Assessment Team call out "IED, IED, IED!" over the radio.

The convoy commander Sgt. 1st Class Richard Parker said he had to remain calm, and the biggest relief came when he found out everyone was ok after the potentially deadly attack.

"Once it happens, all of your knowledge kicks in and it feels just like training," said Parker.

Spc. Adam Fodge said once you hear "IED, IED, IED, halt!," it is intense and you feel a lot of emotion, but then you know what you have to do.

First Platoon leader Lt. Matt Brewer said that after the explosion, the squad immediately provided security when people started coming out of their houses.

"If these guys wouldn't have had the presence of mind not to start shooting it could have been a lot worse, and they would have been doing the enemy a favor."

However, Brewer also mentioned that everybody was where they needed to be, and they were taking an aggressive and confident posture in preparation for a possible secondary attack which may have been prevented.

Staff Sgt. Kelshall Rivas was the driver on the truck that was hit which was also carrying Truck Commander Sgt. Bao Truong and Truck Gunner Pfc. Samuel Price.

Instincts along with knowledge of Tactics, Techniques and Procedures kicked in when the vehicle was hit, Rivas said.

"There was a mosque around the corner and I had a bad feeling. I said to myself, this is a choke point and I couldn't see anything around the corner. Next thing I know, my sixth sense kicked in," he said. "I never felt that before and within 100 meters after that we were hit."

Rivas explained it was at that point when Tactics, Techniques and Procedures became second nature.

"Muscle memory kicked in—it doesn't matter who you are or what you're driving—the initial explosion can stop you. But after that, you need to make the right decisions and know what you're doing."

Rivas said everybody was working together to get through the tense situation.

"We were amped up, we were not passive," Rivas said.

Rivas stated that his vehicle was out in front of a cordoned area when an unidentified vehicle entered and was about 40 meters away from him.

"I'm not trying to kill anybody, I fired a warning shot and thankfully they turned around," said Rivas.

Riavs said that it seemed like the people around him were trying to get information about what happened and being purposely invasive.

"All you can do is raise your force to let them know you're ready and they have to stand down."

He attributed leadership and discipline to the squad's ability to keep the situation from getting out of control.

"Parker calmed everybody—you need that leadership—he took control and that is what needed to happen," explained Rivas.

Parker said, I cannot be prouder of my guys, everyone did an outstanding job, everybody was calm, and KBR told us we did an excellent job handling the situation."

The situation has helped the squad become more aware said Wormer. He added that everyone was tense for a couple days, but that they all still wanted to get back out and do their job.

"There's no way we could have handled this much better, and we are not going to show weakness," said Wormer.

Rivas echoed that sentiment by saying, "You take the experience and learn from it and strengthen what you did right. I am solid and I have a job I am ready to do. I know I want to be in the RAT because I know I can handle everything that goes with it. They left me to fight another day and my resolve is strong."

Rivas, who joined the squad from Texas after volunteering for the deployment, said he is thankful that he feels more comfortable with his comrades than he has with any group in his military career.

"It helps a lot knowing you have people who have your back," said Rivas.

• Date Taken: 10.14.2009
• Date Posted: 10.14.2009 12:12
• Story ID: 40107
• Location: AL ASAD, IQ