1-8 Inf. Regt. works to bring security to east Mosul

Photo By Capt. Richard Ybarra | Spc. Jamel Staton of Brooklyn, N.Y., assigned to 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment,...... read more read more

Photo By Capt. Richard Ybarra | Spc. Jamel Staton of Brooklyn, N.Y., assigned to 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, keeps an alert posture while utilizing available cover and concealment during a mission in the al-Kadra neighborhood of Mosul, Iraq, March 15.  see less | View Image Page

MOSUL, IRAQ

03.21.2008

Story by Capt. Richard Ybarra 

115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

✔ ✗ Subscribe

25

By Capt. Richard Ybarra
115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

MOSUL, Iraq - Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, are working the latest phase of the fight against al-Qaida in Iraq by living among Iraqi citizens at Combat Outpost Knight in eastern Mosul and gaining their trust by constant patrolling and interaction.

"We conduct atmospherics gathering, talk to the local populace and see what their needs are, what their security level is," said 1st Lt. Larry Gwinn, of Richmond, W. Va., a platoon leader, Delta Company, 1- 8 Inf. Regt. "We are working toward the next phase of operations where we bring projects into the local community and help legitimize the local government."

Gwinn also stated that sanitation workers had already been hired through the local government and were making a difference in the community. In addition, he noted several other contracts were in the bidding process for community improvements.

"It's about hearts and minds. We check and see how many schools are around, doctors, retired Iraqi army, people that want to help us help them," added Spc. Jamel Staton of Brooklyn, N.Y., also assigned to Delta Co., 1-8 Inf. Regt.
This requires frequent patrols that originate from COP Knight. The COP is a small fortified base that allows Soldiers to stay close to the surrounding neighborhoods and act as a quick response force for citizens if needed.

The 1-8 Inf. Regt. Soldiers, based out of Fort Carson, Colo., rotate into COP Knight every four days. While at the COP soldiers complete required duties that vary between those designed to ensure the functioning of the COP to guard duty. Invariably there is a fair amount of downtime for Soldiers on their rotation.

Soldiers fill the downtime by working out, watching movies or playing portable computer games. Card games are a particular favorite of the Soldiers for chewing up excess time on the COP. A game or two of Chinese poker can often be found going on at any time during the day.

"When we are not on a mission we don't like to talk about a mission. We talk about things that get our minds off of it or play cards ... watch a movie or have a fire and have a little small talk about times at home," said Staton.

The rhythm of COP life goes on relentlessly for the Soldiers as they move from patrols to the COP and back to patrols. Breaking the cycle only on the end of the fourth day when they return to Forward Operating Base Marez, the main coalition base in Mosul.

A return to the FOB does not mean a break from missions for the Soldier's from 1-8 Inf. Regt. It merely changes their location for a different but still busy schedule. The fight against AQI does not take four-day breaks or any time off for that matter.

"We pull PMCS (Preventive Maintenance Checks and Services) on all our vehicles; tanks, MRAPs and Humvees, get those fueled up and greased down, order parts if we need to." said Staton. "We also run missions from FOB Marez, usually just into a different sector."

A grueling cycle such as this could have an affect on the morale of even the best units. To the contrary, this cycle was just what the unit needed according to Gwinn. The 1-8 Inf. Regt., conducting operations in Mosul for just over two months, is now hitting a stride. Gwinn stated that his Soldiers have adapted well and are in a rhythm.

"At first, before we had the actual cycle, it was pretty rough, as far as the op-tempo goes, the Soldiers were getting pretty strung-out," said Gwinn. "Now that there is more of a pattern to our schedules, the guys are more in-tune with what is going on. Now that we can give them some predictability, they can make adjustments to their personal schedules."

Staton added, that he and his fellow platoon members could accomplish whatever was required, regardless of the condition or mission, "We are always going to make do ... we are Soldiers first and foremost."