Troops Help Repair, Secure Baghdad Roadways

Courtesy Photo | Staff Sgt. Jorge Paez makes friends with local Iraqi children at a Joint Security Station construction site. (U.S. Army photo by 1st Lt. Maya Lowell, 9th Engineer Battalion)  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

04.04.2007

Courtesy Story

2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division Public Affairs

By 1st Lt. Jason Conley
9th Engineer Battalion, 2nd BCT, 1st Inf. Div.

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – While U.S. presence continues to increase throughout Baghdad neighborhoods, one unit has taken on the added responsibility of repairing and securing part of Baghdad's road system.

Capt. Matthew Davis and his Soldiers from Headquarters Company, 9th Engineer Battalion, spend their days conducting the tasks of repairing the task force's fleet of vehicles, or providing fuel and logistical support at various locations around Baghdad.

The "Headhunter" Company sets itself apart from other headquarters companies because of its involvement in the construction of Iraqi army checkpoints.

Upon completion of its routine tasks, the company transitions from a daytime support element to a nighttime combat workforce. It escorts flatbed trucks, cranes, and combat security vehicles through the dangerous streets of western Baghdad to U.S. and Iraqi Joint Security Stations.

These sites, occupied by coalition forces along with Iraqi army or police, serve as control centers for all operations in the area, and provide a constant security presence in the neighborhoods. At these sites, Headhunter troops emplace concrete towers and repair damaged roads.

When the company is not involved in fortifying a military site, they are filling road craters with concrete in an effort to keep improvised explosive devices off the city streets. The Soldiers of the Headhunter Company have repaired more than 15 craters on four primary roads and emplaced nine towers and more than 300 concrete walls.

This helps create safe passage for Iraqi civilians, government officials and coalition forces.
"The missions are difficult and a lot of planning is required, but the increased mobility and safety is worth it," said 1st Lt. Maya Lowell.

For the past two weeks, Lowell's platoon has been conducting quick-response crater repair missions, in addition to their usual nightly tower emplacements.

The Headhunters are given multiple missions throughout the day and night. Mechanics and radio technicians drop their tools and communication equipment to man heavy-caliber weapons and protect ground troops from insurgent rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire attacks as concrete is mixed, poured, and dried.

"To accomplish these crater missions it requires a good portion of the company's Soldiers," Davis said. "The effects are long days followed by long nights, but the Soldiers are motivated, knowing that their efforts are making a direct impact on the safety of coalition troops throughout western Baghdad."

• Date Taken: 04.04.2007
• Date Posted: 04.04.2007 11:43
• Story ID: 9768
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ