 Military News
One such unit is 3rd Platoon, Company A, 1st Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, Task Force 3rd Battalion, 66th Armor Regt. With the Iraqi Army, the operation was just one part of a series of combined patrols designed to bring stability to the region. The platoon spent three days clearing a section of the Sawa Canal and patrolling routes near the villages of 30th Tamuz, Shanana and Tawilla from April 18 to 20. "The canals give the insurgents a quick avenue of approach in and out of the area," said Sgt. 1st Class David Jones, platoon sergeant, 3rd Platoon. "They also use canals that size to store weapons and as hiding places." Jones said the platoon cleared approximately 11,000 meters of canal in two days. In order to cover as much ground as possible, the platoon broke into four elements to clear the canal. Most of the Soldiers dismounted and walked along the far side, center and left side of the canal maintaining the high ground while their vehicles, including two Bradley Fighting Vehicles, provided overwatch on the far left flank. After each day of clearing the canal the Soldiers would conduct mounted patrols in the area. "The night patrols lets the enemy know we are still in the area, and prevents them from moving around," said 1st Lt. Christopher Champlin, 3rd Platoon Leader. According to Champlin, the Iraqi Army has recently been increasing their presence in the region. Most recently, the Iraqi Army began setting up a camp in the area, moving in an additional 700 Soldiers to add an even greater ISF presence to the security of South Balad Ruz. The morning of April 19 the platoon completed clearing the canal and began mounted patrols of routes through villages in the area of operations. While visiting the villages, the Soldiers took time to pass out candy to children. Jones said he has seen improvements in the villagers' opinions of Coalition forces during this deployment and attributes them to the Soldiers' kindness to the Iraqi people. "When we come now, it's like a parade; we always try to bring candy for the kids," said Jones. "Sometimes we'll have little kids who have a boo-boo and our medic will clean them up and give them a band-aid." He added it's not just children who are recipients of the kindness of his Soldiers. "Some of the men will have a headache and we'll give him an aspirin, said Jones. "It seems like small thing, but those small things show we aren't here to harm them or take things from them. We are here to help them out." Throughout the three-day patrol, the Soldiers did not find any hidden caches or insurgents. "This patrol was fairly uneventful," said Champlin. "We've accomplished a great deal in a short amount of time," added Jones talking about how the action in South Balad Ruz is not as kinetic as when Task Force 3rd Battalion, 66th Armor Regt. arrived in the area. The missions and daily patrols conducted by 3rd Platoon and other units of Task Force 3rd Battalion, 66th Armor Regt. build good relations and are bringing both security and stability to Balad Ruz. However, even with a more stable Balad Ruz, the area is still dangerous. Recently several IA Soldiers have been killed and 3rd Platoon lost a Soldier when a booby trapped house detonated on April 5. "My boys are probably the tightest platoon I've seen in my fifteen years in the Army. They're very brotherly," said Jones. "When Spc. Candelaria died, it definitely took a toll on us. Our hearts go out to his family." Jones said his Soldiers still have their heads in the game and are still focused on the mission. "That area is 80 percent better than when we got here," Jones said. "I won't say 100 percent because we still have some problems, but it will continue to get better." ADDITIONAL PHOTOS:
|
