Photo By Spc. Adam Hefner | Soldiers of Troop C, 1st Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, depart from Patrol...... read more read more
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BABIL PROVINCE, Iraq - Soldiers of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment are nearing the middle of their deployment in support of Operation New Dawn, the final stage of U.S. military involvement in Iraq.
The “Brave Rifles” are in an advise and assist role, much different than their previous deployments to Iraq. The unit works with Iraqi Security Forces to assist with the security of the nation by conducting joint training and patrols in the south central area of Iraq.
The 3rd ACR’s previous three deployments to Iraq were in support of combat operations that started with the initial invasion and led to the surge of troops to the country to crush the mounting insurgency.
“The mission now is more about stability operations,” said 1st Sgt. Kim W. Bradshaw, a native of Corpus Christi, Texas, and the senior enlisted Soldier of Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment. “We no longer have to be the lead force to protect the populace. Now it’s more of providing a backstop to the Iraqi forces by advising and assisting the leadership.”
Bradshaw has deployed to Iraq multiple times and has seen the country change from the initial invasion to Operation New Dawn.
“It’s phenomenal. Seeing the entire country grow and change is like seeing a civilian coming into the Army and watching them transform into a capable and able soldier who can move into combat and fight,” said Bradshaw, who also has served as a drill sergeant.
Many soldiers who were deployed on previous tours to Iraq recognize a stark contrast in the stability operations of the current New Dawn mission compared to their prior experiences in the country.
“This is a very different fight from the last one. Each one has been completely different,” said 1st Sgt. Mark Mejia, the Regimental Headquarters and Headquarters Troop senior enlisted soldier. “In the beginning it was a traditional war, battles, destroyed buildings, but now the country is more stable and the Iraqis are running the country.”
“To see the structure, to see the infrastructure evolve into what it is today is great,” said Bradshaw. “I think ultimately what we have done is a benefit to the Iraqi people. The 37 years of dictatorship we stopped, I think that the people appreciate it. In my seven years of involvement here I think they appreciate it.”
The 3rd ACR is scheduled to return this fall from its final deployment to Iraq. As the U.S. military involvement in Iraq is set to end this year, the soldiers of the 3rd ACR will be watching. After laboring through multiple tours in Iraq, no one is more eager to witness a strong Iraq as the soldiers of this regiment.
| Date Taken: | 01.10.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 01.15.2011 07:50 |
| Story ID: | 63605 |
| Location: | BABIL PROVINCE, IQ |
| Web Views: | 88 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Multiple tours show progress, Soldiers mark successes of New Dawn, by SFC Mark Albright, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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