Photo By Senior Master Sgt. Corenthia Fennell | Airman 1st Class Joshua Wright, 532nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron 240 squad...... read more read more
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JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq - Trudging down a weary dirt road, along the grass lined canals, these "Red Lions" are on the prowl. They patrol outside the protective posture of their homes to protect those behind JBB's walls.
The 532nd Expeditionary Security Force Squadron members routinely travel "outside the wire" to protect the base by disrupting the insurgents' freedom of movement through dismounted field sweeps and mounted patrolling throughout the base security zone.
To do this requires teams of airmen to include a driver, truck commander, radio and telephone operator, machine gunner and a squad leader.
For mine resistant ambush protected truck driver, Airman 1st Class Alisa Baker, driving the 30,000-pound MRAP over rough and sometimes unstable terrain can be challenging, but it is something she takes pride in doing.
"I enjoy my role when I'm out with my squad. This is something I prepare for every day," said the Hampton, Va., native, who recently went outside the wire on her 21st birthday.
As a driver, Airman Baker checks the fluids, brakes lights, tire pressure and ensures the vehicle is safe and prepared for the mission.
A truck commander with three deployments under his belt, Senior Airman Damiam Anderson, ensures all his truck members going outside the wire are green on equipment and prepared to complete their mission.
A security forces member of four years, the Vass, N.C., native said one of the challenge as a TC is to know which road to take.
"You can go down a road one day and it might not be there the next because the rain washed it away," he said. "Also knowing where you can turn around or where to get out and back the truck up can be a challenge."
Sitting 18-feet above the ground, Airman Kenneth Murphy, M-2 .50 caliber Browning machine gunner is responsible for providing 360-degree security.
"When we are driving down the road, I'm pretty much the eyes and ears for the rest of the truck," the Northglenn Colo., native said. "I call out whatever is in front of the truck and try to identify improvised explosive devices."
Being able to communicate and relay information back to the 332nd Expeditionary Security Force Group Joint Defense Operations Center is important, especially when outside the base. This is where radio and telephone operators like Airman 1st Class Jonathan Lomboy, are critical. He is also a fire team member.
"My primary job is to relay communications with our Air Force and Army counterparts in JDOC," the Seaside, Calif., native said. "I also make sure all of the communication equipment we go out with is operational."
While Airman Lomboy has memorized his nine-line reports for IEDs and unexploded ordnance, remembering to stay calm and not to rush the message is always a challenge, he said.
As a squad leader, Staff Sgt. Justin Raggio's main goal is to ensure all the Airmen he brings outside the wire 'make it back home safely.'
The Coos Bay, Ore., native maintains it's important to go outside the wire to put a face on the U.S. Forces.
"I feel it puts a human element to Operation New Dawn," Raggio said. "Plus we will have more situational awareness of our surrounding area."
From responding to indirect fire attacks to disrupting the insurgents' freedom of movement, one squadron is always on the prowl. The 'Red Lions' of the 532nd ESFS do their part to ensure a safe environment for all.
| Date Taken: | 02.19.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 03.13.2011 07:14 |
| Story ID: | 66972 |
| Location: | SALAH AD DIN, IQ |
| Web Views: | 280 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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