Iraqi Army works traffic control point with help from Stallions Battalion

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Jon Cupp | Through an interpreter, Sgt. Christopher Cichocki, a chemical defense specialist, Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, who hails from Bardstown, Ky., talks to his Iraqi counterparts from the 3rd Brigade, 9th Iraqi Army Division (Mechanized) at a traffic control point near the village of Naif Al Hasan, Iraq June 20.  

IRAQ

06.20.2007

Story by Staff Sgt. Jon Cupp 

1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division

by Staff Sgt. Jon Cupp
1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs

NAIF AL HASAN, Iraq – Iraqi army troops from the 3rd Brigade, 9th Iraqi Army Division (Mechanized) continue moving closer to their goal of taking over full responsibility for the security of the areas in which they now operate.

One of the signs of this could be seen at a traffic control point here June 20 as the Iraqi troops ran operations at the TCP, relying on only minimal help from Soldiers from Company Charlie, 2nd "Stallions" Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment.

According to Sgt. Christopher Cichocki, a chemical defense specialist for Co. C., much of the Iraqi troops' progress has been the result of a partnership with Soldiers from his company, who over the past few months have assisted the 3rd Bde., 9th IA Div. (Mech.) Military Transition Team from Camp Taji, Iraq to training the Iraqi troops. He said the hands-on training focused on operation of their T-55 tanks, gunnery, setting up and running TCPs and platoon-level training.

"They've come a long way since we first started working with them," said Cichocki, who hails from Bardstown, Ky. "What we basically did to get them to the point that they're at now was to show them what to do, back off, and then let them do it."

Cichocki said that now the Iraqi army troops are running the TCP themselves with the Co. C Soldiers only serving in an advisory role to step in only when the Iraqis need help.

"They're doing really well on their own, and they are getting to where they need to be, but it's going to just take a little time," he said. "It's been an experience like no other getting them to where they one day can help their nation become fully self reliant. They're doing an outstanding job of denying enemy forces freedom of movement and defending their country."

Throughout the day, the Iraqi troops performed vehicle searches looking for illegal weapons in an effort to capture terrorists who might be trying to pass through the area. They also handed out toys to children as vehicles came through their TCP.

Recently the troops from Co. C assisted the Iraqi soldiers with reinforcing fighting positions at the TCP. They worked together in the hot sun moving sand bags and setting up camouflage netting.

"The weather can be brutal," said Cichocki, who has seen temperatures rise to 120 degress Fahrenheit in the month of June alone. "But we survive, and we've formed some really good bonds with the IAs [troops] out here."

Along with running the TCP, the Iraqi troops also go on foot patrols with the Co. C troops into neighborhoods near the TCP to collect census information, hand out tips cards and just getting to know the local people in the area.

"The people living out here are really nice and cooperative and they always offer us food and tea," said Cichoki. "They know that we (the Iraqi and U.S. troops) are out here working to keep them safe and they appreciate what we're trying to do for them."

Soldiers who worked with the Iraqis at the TCP said it was a worthwhile experience.

"I feel really good and confident about what we do here with them," said Pfc. Glenn Linder, a medic for Co. C and a native of Browning, Mont. "We feel that we're accomplishing a lot working with the Iraqi army."

"They're fun to work with and I like what I'm doing here," said Pfc. Robert Rizer, an infantryman with Co. C and a native of Newark, Ohio, who likes working with his Iraqi counterparts despite the language barrier. "We get along really well and I show them pictures of my family and they'll show me their pictures, too."

• Date Taken: 06.20.2007
• Date Posted: 06.25.2007 07:33
• Story ID: 10939
• Location: IQ