Personal Security Detail: The Soldiers protecting TFO's top leaders

12.03.2004

Courtesy Story

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By Spc. Blair Larson

As senior leaders travel through Iraq's dangerous streets, they are always well protected by the Soldiers in their Personal Security Detail. Often these Soldiers go unnoticed, working behind the scenes to ensure the safety of their passengers, playing an important role in accomplishing the Multinational Forces" mission.

Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 107th Field Artillery, an Army National Guard unit from New Castle, Pa., have spent the last nine months escorting Task Force Olympia's top officers throughout northern Iraq. Teams of Soldiers are assigned to protect the task force commanding general, the deputy commanding general and the provost marshal.

The Soldiers" main mission is to provide protection for their "principals" as they move throughout their daily briefings, meetings and missions. They have also been called on to assist units with other missions such as foot patrols and improvised explosive device sweeps.

Their job takes them off the camp daily and onto the streets of Mosul where they encounter risks ranging from small arms fire to vehicle-borne explosives and rocket-propelled grenades.

Before a mission into the city, the team leaders determine the route they will take and whether that route is clear and safe to travel on. The convoy route is discussed, as well as the actions each Soldier will take in the event of an attack. When the whole team has been briefed, the Soldiers throw on their body armor vests and Kevlar helmets, lock and load their weapons and then it's "game on" as they roll out the gate toward their destination.

Rush hour traffic and road rage take on a new meaning on the streets of Mosul, where potential danger lurks at every intersection. As they travel the busy streets, the Soldiers are constantly watching the road and talking to each other. "What is that truck doing?" "What about those men on the roof?" "The road is blocked ahead, what other route can we take?"

Teamwork helps the Soldiers to stay focused and alert. Each driver, gunner and truck commander must work together and communicate to perform their mission.

"Teamwork is important to what we do because you always have to know what everyone else is doing," said Sgt. Benjamin Stewart, a member of one of the PSD teams. "You have to be able to anticipate your teammates" reactions and their next moves."

The drivers must maneuver their vehicle through the sometimes-crowded city streets, constantly aware of the road and their surroundings. They must be alert and ready to instantly respond to any situation, to swerve at a moment's notice and drive their fellow Soldiers out of danger.

From positions atop the vehicle, the gunners have the most advantageous view, scanning the streets and the rooftops for anything suspicious. However, they are also the most exposed to enemy fire.

The truck commanders are responsible for communicating between vehicles and with their team. They are also scanning the streets and rooftops for suspicious activity. They are watching the people and vehicles closely and must always be thinking of how they will react to various situations.

While each Soldier has a specific job, they must also be able to fill in if a team member is injured.

"Everyone needs to know how to do the job of every person on their team," said Sgt. Gregory Vanartsdalen, the non-commissioned officer in charge of the provost marshal's PSD.

he 107th Soldiers are part of a field artillery unit which was trained prior to deployment to take on a military police role. Prior to coming to Iraq, the Soldiers went through approximately eight weeks of training at Fort Dix, N.J., focusing on basic Soldier skills and military police skills. They trained to clear rooms and set up traffic control points and roadblocks. However, they did not know exactly what their mission in Iraq would be until they arrived in Mosul.

"When we got here, we found that our mission was not going to be a traditional MP mission so we began more complex training in driving, foot movements and maneuvers," said Stewart.

The teams began training for their new mission by focusing on weapons, first aid, communications, formations and maneuvers. The Soldiers also rode with the military police unit they replaced to become familiar with the city and the streets.

The Soldiers have found that flexibility is important in this changing environment. They must use different routes and change tactics as the terrorists continue to improve their techniques.

"We are constantly upgrading our training to account for the insurgents" changing tactics," said Stewart.

During the last nine months, the Soldiers have impressed their leaders and adapted well to their new jobs.

"This is the most I've worked with the National Guard and these Soldiers are some of the best I've worked with," said Staff Sgt. Kevin Mayros, a PSD team leader with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Corps. "They are quick thinkers and fast learners."

According to Mayros, PSD Soldiers must also be dependable and reliable. They are entrusted with an important task, to protect the leaders who are in charge of operations in all of northern Iraq.

"If we fail, if we drop our guard for a minute, or lose focus, anything could happen," Mayros said. Aside from the pressure, their jobs do come with a few benefits. The 107th PSD Soldiers have seen almost all of northern Iraq. They've traveled through the mountains in the north, met government leaders and seen many places that they would not have otherwise had the opportunity to see.

"I like the fact that we get to travel to so many different places," said Stewart. Their mission has also given the Soldiers, especially the younger ones, a broader sense of how the military works.

"This has definitely been a learning experience for us," said Vanartsdalen. "It has been the first time in combat for most of our soldiers and as MPs we've gotten to see a different side of the military."

The teams have also seen their share of violence here in Iraq. Approximately one third of them will go home with purple hearts and each Soldier with memories of enemy attacks that could have been much worse. But the Soldiers continue to get up each morning and do their mission.

"I think our greatest achievement is that we have accomplished each mission we were given," said Vanartsdalen. "We've encountered everything the enemy can throw at us- RPGs, IEDs,- you name it, we've hit it, but we've always completed our mission."

• Date Taken: 12.03.2004
• Date Posted: 12.03.2004 10:16
• Story ID: 684