Blackhorse Soldiers Create Renewed Security

Photo By Sgt. Zach Zuber | During a clearing operation through northern Biritz, Diyala province, Iraq, Staff Sgt. Casey Merriman watches fields surrounding the village. The mission was led by Iraqi police, with Soldiers from Battle Company, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, providing security and support assets.  

DIYALA, IRAQ

05.12.2010

Story by Pvt. Zach Zuber 

1-2 SBCT, 7th Infantry Division

DIYALA, Iraq – As Soldiers are spending their final weeks on Forward Operating Base Normandy, Iraq, inventorying equipment and packing large shipping containers for their long journey back to the United States, many pay little attention to the bright lights that sparkle in the dark of night.

Several of the Patriots, who call this base 'home' may not have a clue that each day families in the surrounding area are reminded of the U.S. presence and support in their communities. However, one company of Soldiers represents the entire force stationed there as they support the Iraqi security forces in providing a safe environment for local citizens.

Soldiers from Blackhorse Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, have been running daily counter-indirect fire operations in Al Aitha, Diyala province, Iraq, since the end of April.

With an increase in the number of attacks against FOB Normandy throughout April, Blackhorse Soldiers launched a new plan to integrate illumination mortar fire with combined Iraqi-U.S. patrols in the surrounding villages to stop these perpetrators.

Positioned throughout the area bordering their home, mortar teams from Blackhorse Company, 2/3 Inf., taken the dark out of the night thus preventing their enemies from using the darkness to set up attacks.

"We fire the mortars to not only prevent them from moving to firing positions, but also to show that we are out there watching," said Staff Sgt. Zachary Chappell, native of Mustang, Okla., mortar team leader for Blackhorse Company, 2/3 Inf. "For us it's all about keeping the FOB safe and keeping our guys safe."

Though safety is the main concern, Blackhorse Company, also uses these missions as a daily opportunity to support their Iraqi Army counterparts, partnering with them on every patrol through the different communities.

"Obviously our role here [in Iraq] is to support the IA, so the first thing we do when we get out there is ask our counterparts what they would like to do that day," said 1st Lt. Higgins, native of Baltimore, Md., a platoon leader for Blackhorse Company, 2/3 Inf. "Then with them we will do dismounted patrols, set up over watch on OPs [observation points], work checkpoints, or even perform some humanitarian aid patrols."

The Soldiers have many different measures of their success from missions they have been on. On humanitarian missions they see smiles from children who have just been given new school supplies. On several other patrols, Blackhorse Company Soldiers have found weapons, explosives, and enemy mortar sites.

"We have found a few old mortar rounds, a few caches, a few POO [point of origin] sites and identified areas of interest where we think other mortar firing points could be," said 1st Lt. Higgins. "By taking these things off the streets, out of the hands of the violent extremists we gain the advantage, which has made this a good mission overall."

• Date Taken: 05.12.2010
• Date Posted: 05.12.2010 01:33
• Story ID: 49513
• Location: DIYALA, IQ