By Spc. Dustin Roberts
2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division
BAGHDAD, Iraq – As the 2nd "Dagger" Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, continues to take the necessary steps in replacing the 2nd "Strike" Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), a huge mile marker was observed.
In October, one month following the holy month of Ramadan in the Islamic calendar, one U.S. Military service member lost his life in action in Multi-National Division – Baghdad and four Soldiers lost their lives in September. Although losing any Soldier is one too many, the number of lives lost is a dramatic reduction in the number of fallen Soldiers during Ramadan since the war started and is a significant reduction in the number of lives lost since April 2008, when 23 U.S. service members lost their lives in Baghdad.
Ramadan, usually known for bringing added violence to Baghdad, proved relatively peaceful for U.S. troops, said Spc. Nick Lokamas, 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd BCT, 101st Abn. Div.
Lokamas, who started working with the Strike Brigade team in December, helped bring the violence down by setting up signs and wanted posters in neighborhoods, explaining who the enemy was and why coalition forces were after them.
"We've been doing a lot of information operations campaigns, going into the muhallas, broadcasting on loud speakers, letting the civilians know who we are looking for, and I think the enemy is scared to come back into the area," said Lokamas. "The area of operations has been a lot safer since we've been here."
He also said the Iraqi security forces have done an excellent job of keeping the peace as well.
"The ISF have made major improvements since we've been here," Lokamas said. "They seem to have a good handle on what they are doing, and it seems like the people trust them more."
As the Dagger Brigade transitions into the Strike Brigade's operational environment and works with the ISF, the main focus is keeping the security level stable, said Sgt. Christopher Robinson, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd HBCT, 1st Inf. Div.
"I'm very confident in my chain of command. This is really not our first deployment over here because we have many experienced non-commissioned officers in this unit," said Robinson. "We are willing and ready to take the fight and the mission forward."