Hitting the streets on election eve

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Luisito Brooks | U.S. Army 1st Lt. Travis Boltz, the platoon leader of 2nd Platoon, C Troop, 2nd Battalion, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, meets with a local farmer during a pre-election patrol March 6.  

TARMIYAH, IRAQ

02.06.2010

Story by Spc. Luisito Brooks 

4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division

TARMIYAH, Iraq - The first step on the road to democracy is providing security to those who wish to travel its long and sometimes dusty path.

On the eve of the Iraqi elections, 1st Lt. Travis Boltz, the platoon leader of 2nd Platoon, C Troop, 2nd Battalion, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, and his Soldiers patrolled streets and areas commonly used to set improvised explosive devices.

"We are out here to prevent insurgents from placing IEDs," said Boltz, a Tulerosa, N.M. "This election will play a major role in the future of this country and we must do the best we can in order to keep the area safe."

On the patrol, Soldiers were looking for potential threats or just anything out of the ordinary that could affect the voters travelling to the polling stations.

"An IED can be disguised as anything, so it can be a soda bottle, tin can, dead animal or trash," said Sgt. Gregory Goodfield, a Cavalry Scout with C Troop, 2nd Bn., 1st Cav. Regt., 4th Bde., 2nd Inf., Div. "We have to be on our game when we on patrol so we can spot things that can be used to hide bombs."

The patrol took Soldiers through dense vegetation, muddy farms and unpaved streets that voters will be using the next day.

Boltz said he spoke with a local who explained it is getting harder for insurgents to operate because they are getting caught and that is very discouraging to other insurgents.

Another local in the area was excited about the opportunity to vote and happily shared his excitement with the U.S. Soldiers.

"We were patrolling through this one farm when the owner came outside and shook my hand with a smile on his face and thanked us for what we were doing," said Boltz. "He said that he is going to vote because he wants to see his country prosper."

For the elections, the main focus of the Iraqi security forces will be on providing the security at the voting sites.

"In order for them to focus on their task, we must fill in the gaps, so when we are out on patrol, we stay out longer and cover down for the ISF," said Boltz. "We have patrolled this area many times in an attempt to stay on top of insurgent activity.

During the heightened threat level prior to the election period, the Soldiers had remained busy, but are encouraged by the vision of a better Iraq.

"I know anything can happen, but all the guys are hoping for a smooth election, said Goodfield, a Hemet, Calif., native. "If and when things go well, the sooner we can get back to our families."

• Date Taken: 02.06.2010
• Date Posted: 03.16.2010 16:32
• Story ID: 46766
• Location: TARMIYAH, IQ