Counter insurgency platoon follows Iraqi army patrol like a protective shadow

Photo By Staff Sgt. Zachary Mott | Sgt. 1st Class Jason Maynard, Counter Insurgency Platoon sergeant, listens as Iraqi army Soldiers, led by Sgt. Abdullah, left of Maynard, discuss where the patrol is and where it is heading. (Photo by Sgt. Zach Mott, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office, March 10, 2006)  

BALAD, IRAQ

03.14.2006

Courtesy Story

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by Sgt. Zach Mott
3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team,
4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office

BALAD, Iraq (March 10, 2006) - Trailing behind like a protective shadow, members of Bulldog Battery's Counter Insurgency Platoon followed an Iraqi army patrol in an area south of Logistical Support Area Anaconda.

The Soldiers were there to ensure their IA counterparts properly conducted each phase of the operation and offered constructive criticism when the group rallied at Forward Operating Base O'Ryan after the patrol.

"We go out there and see if they're doing the right stuff," said Sgt. Cesar Vazquez, a truck commander from Bulldog Battery, 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Task Force Band of Brothers. "Basically (we look for) the same things we would do."

As the patrol navigated through the dirt and sand roads, the IA Soldiers stopped and talked to residents to see if there had been any anti-Iraqi force activity in the area.

As the stream of vehicles moved further away from the nation's capital the land became more desert-like with each revolution of the tires. The lush green around one of the largest compounds in Iraq was a distant memory as those images were replaced with layer upon layer of brown. The few green spots along this route seemed as out of place as blue at an Army Ball.

But, for the IA Soldiers, this area is home. Because of the common bond of nationality and an ingrained knowledge of the area, IA Soldiers are at an advantage over the Coalition Forces.

"I have a good, familiar background with the people so he can ask about what is going on find who is good and who is bad," said Sgt. Abdullah, the IA patrol commander from 2nd Company, 4th Battalion, of the Iraqi army.

There are few other factors more important to Iraqi control over their country than an effective army. Because of this, Coalition Forces work hard to ensure the Iraqis are fully prepared to assume the task of protecting their country. This, after all, is the Coalition Forces" ticket home.

"(We want to) make sure they know how to do it and to let us know that they will be capable of replacing us," Vazquez said.

• Date Taken: 03.14.2006
• Date Posted: 03.14.2006 14:14
• Story ID: 5720
• Location: BALAD, IQ