Securing Iraq by Stepping Aside

Photo By Sgt. Zach Zuber | Sgt. Kayla Buzzard, a native of Miami, Okla., part of the female search team, takes cover behind a tree to provide security during a clearing mission in northern Biritz, Diyala province, Iraq, May 3. The mission was one of three in the area led by Iraqi police with support from Battle Company, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division.  

DIYALA, IRAQ

05.03.2010

Story by Pvt. Zach Zuber 

1-2 SBCT, 7th Infantry Division

DIYALA, Iraq – Nothing ever stays the same. This truism is apparent to all U.S. Soldiers currently serving in Iraq as their responsibility and mission is significantly different from just six months ago. No longer conducting combat operations, they are advising Iraq-taught training courses and supporting Iraqi-led missions.

Iraqi policemen, with assistance from the Skyes' Regulars of Battle Company, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, performed a security patrol through one of three planned sections of northern Biritz, May 3.

The Soldiers from Battle Company, 5/20 Inf., walked unfamiliar ground during this operation as they reversed roles with the Iraqi policemen, who planned and led the mission. Working in support of the IPs has required them to be flexible as they get used to their different leadership role.

"We thought we had a good idea of what they [IP leaders] wanted to do on this search, and as soon as we got there they had decided they wanted to go somewhere different," said Staff Sgt. Casey Merriman, a fire team leader for Battle Company, 5/20 Inf. "It's a common thing for them to change frequently so we do a link up with them before the mission and support what they want."

The IPs ability to determine which locations will benefit from citizens seeing combined patrols will promote security in the region because it reminds the community members that the police have taken responsibility for providing safety.

"There was an area that hadn't been cleared in some time, and they [IPs] wanted us to go down there with them," said Staff Sgt. Merriman, a native of Sulphur Springs, Texas. "They wanted to show the people of Iraq that we are still doing patrols even through the draw down."

The Soldiers who have deployed before can see the security situation has improved just by looking at who they are working with.

"The last time the brigade was here, we would only see maybe 10 or 20 Iraqis for a patrol like this," said Staff Sgt. Merriman. "Now they have 60 or even 80 come out so we have basically flipped roles from our last deployment to having them completely take the lead."

While preparing for this mission the Iraqis also requested female search teams, to be ready to search females in the urban environment. To accommodate that need, female Soldiers from 2nd platoon, 66th Military Police Company, attached to 3rd SBCT, 2nd ID, came along to provide support.

"On our last deployment, this was our daily task," said Sgt. Kayla Buzzard, team leader for 2nd Platoon, 66th MP Company. "Since we aren't operating in the cities anymore, we don't do a whole lot of it this time."

The MPs have spent much of their time training Iraqi police search teams, including the ones who came out on this mission.

"They had one of our trainees [an Iraqi policewoman] out there, who actually now helps teach the classes with us," said Sgt. Buzzard. "It was great to see her out there doing her thing and see what she learned from us."

The rarity of these elements, with the new focus on filling a secondary role, have allowed the Soldiers of Battle Company to keep focused as they work through the final months of their deployment.

"These days we don't do sector patrols like this at all, and when we get into urban environments like this there are tons of places to watch," said Staff Sgt. Merriman. "We're almost to month ten, which is a time where Soldiers can get complacent, so everybody has to be more on their toes now to make sure we get our job done safely."

The Soldiers of Battle Company, 5/20 Inf., may have to be flexible, but they will continue to stay safe and support the Iraqi security forces by advising operational planning and support for the remainder of their deployment.

• Date Taken: 05.03.2010
• Date Posted: 05.06.2010 00:59
• Story ID: 49197
• Location: DIYALA, IQ