Artillery troops provide safe travel on 'Red Dragon Express'

Photo By Sgt. Robert Yde | Troops with 3rd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, dismount from their humvees at Forward Operating Base Union III after providing another VIP escort mission from the International Zone into Baghdad. Dubbed the "Red Dragon Express," escorting military and government officials is the primary mission for members of the battalion.  

12.27.2006

Courtesy Story

2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs

By Cpl. Robert Yde
2nd BCT, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs

FORWARD OPERATING BASE UNION III, Iraq – "The assignment of this mission was a bit of a change-up from what I expected," Lt. Col. Michael Tarsa, the commander of the 3rd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, said regarding the mission his battalion received shortly before deploying to Iraq in mid-October.

Instead of conducting a traditional field artillery unit mission, the Soldiers of 3-82 FA were assigned the mission of providing VIP escort services for government officials who need to travel from the heavily fortified International Zone into Baghdad.

"Our mission is to mainly escort State Department personnel to various places in Baghdad," explained 1st Lt. P.J. Decareau, a platoon leader with Battery. A, 3-82 FA.

The native of Boston said that the majority of these escort missions, dubbed the "Red Dragon Express," are for meetings with Iraqi government agencies such as the Ministry of Oil and Ministry of Interior.

Having its field artillery unit take over the escort mission was a natural decision for the command of the Black Jack Brigade, according to Tarsa.

"The previous brigade had its artillery filling this mission set, so the logical transition was to us," Tarsa explained. "Regardless, this is what Black Jack needed the battalion to assume. That's the only thing that mattered to us."

After learning of his battalion's mission, Tarsa restructured his entire unit so that it would be better suited for its new mission.

"The first task for me was one of reorganization," Tarsa explained. "I gutted my headquarters battery and forward support company to create five, 16-man platoons. I then directed my two firing batteries to reorganize into six platoons each and provided them additional officers to ensure each was led by a capable lieutenant."

Once the new structure of the battalion was set, the types of training exercises the Red Dragon Soldiers were conducting had to be adjusted.

"Originally, we thought we would own some land, so we started getting ready to maneuver as an infantry unit," said Decareau, explaining the battalion's initial training preparations for Iraq. "We were ready to do a mounted maneuver mission."

For most of the Soldiers, learning that they would be providing VIP escorts around Baghdad, instead of conducting patrols, was a bit of a surprise.

"It was kind of a shock, at first," said Pfc. Ken O'Connell, a Boston native who is now serving as a humvee gunner. "We trained for something totally different. Then you get here and find that it's a whole new ballgame."

According to Decareau, though, receiving the new mission was an easy adjustment because their training already focused on patrolling in humvees.

"They were ready to get in humvees and get out in the streets," he said. "It's not really too much different than patrolling a sector. The only difference is there is some kind of principal you've got to take along with you."

That 'principal' is the VIP they're escorting. Making sure these individuals can travel safely around Baghdad in order to conduct meetings with Iraqi government officials is crucial for the future of Iraq.

"The safe transport of Department of State and MNFI (Multi-National Force - Iraq) principals is a condition-setting effort toward creating a more stable, secure Iraq," Tarsa explained. "The meetings that our principals attend contribute directly to the infrastructure development here in Iraq."

Once the convoy arrives to its location, the majority of the Soldiers pull outside security, while a small team escorts the principals inside, serving as their personal security detachment and providing communication with the Soldiers still outside.

"We keep tabs on them and know where they're at inside the building in case something happens," Decareau explained.

With multiple missions every day, the "Red Dragon Express," runs like a well-oiled machine. However, Sgt. Derrick Martin concedes that it took his Soldiers a little time to get to where they now are.

"When we first started going out, my guys used to be a little shy," the Spindale, N.C. native said. "I had to tell them every little thing to do, but now I see them growing and developing."

Martin, who is in charge of the lead gun truck in one convoy, said that he has seen his gunner, Pfc. Ronald Wise, develop a lot more confidence in carrying out his role.

According to Martin, Wise has become very efficient at controlling the traffic and keeping it at a safe distance from the convoy.

"My job is to just clear the lane and make sure nothing's in the way," Wise explained. From his turret, Wise constantly scans the road for bombs or anything that looks out of the ordinary, while ensuring that people and vehicles keep their distance from convoy.

"Everybody's in a hurry, they don't want to wait behind the convoys, and that will put your convoy in danger." Wise said. "You've got to do whatever it takes to make sure that the people do what you want them to do, not what they want to do."

Wise takes his role as lead gunner very seriously because he said if he misses something, then it could endanger somebody's life in his convoy.

As the "Red Dragon Express" continues to move government and military officials safely around Baghdad, Tarsa said he knows that it is his Soldiers, who, without complaint or missing a beat have stepped into their new role and made this mission successful.

"The Red Dragons have claimed this mission as their own," Tarsa said. "They are doing great things each and every day."

• Date Taken: 12.27.2006
• Date Posted: 12.27.2006 10:22
• Story ID: 8680