1-10 Field Artillery brings a different fight

Photo By Sgt. Natalie Loucks | Command Sgt. Maj. James M. Pearson, of Philadelphia, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, shakes hands with Lt. Col. Simon Humphreys, commander, 1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery Brigade on Aug. 22, at Basra Air Station, Iraq.  

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, IRAQ

08.27.2007

Story by Sgt. Natalie Loucks 

3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division

by Sgt. Natalie Rostek
3rd Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq – They are not patrolling the streets of Iraq in search of extremists, nor are they directly winning the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people.

Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 10th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, bring a different fight to the insurgency.

Headquarters Battery and Battery A, stationed at Camp Bucca, in Umm Qasr, near the southern border of Iraq, bring the fight from inside the wire. With responsibility over a large amount of detainees within the prison walls, Soldiers find themselves working in the military police field rather than artillery.

Basic and daily tasks for 1-10 FAR Soldiers include guarding compounds, accounting for prisoners, feeding the prisoners, and ensuring their safety. Soldiers are also responsible for searching the compound for weapons, escape tunnels, and any contraband prohibited by coalition forces.

Although some detainees can cause troublesome situations for Soldiers, said Spc. Brent Haataja, of Menasas, Minn., Company B, 3rd Battalion, 194th Infantry Regiment, currently attached to 1-10 Field Artillery, most of the time they are peaceful and conduct their daily routines without any problems.

"Usually during the heat of the day, they just sit around in the shade of the tents," Haataja said. "In the evenings, when it gets cooler, they move around more."

Staff Sgt. Joseph Holmes, a platoon sergeant on Battery A's quick reaction force team, said some detainees use their time beneficially by reading the Quran or conducting study groups.

Col. Wayne W. Grigsby, Jr., of Prince George's County, Md., commander of 3rd BCT, and Command Sgt. Maj. James M. Pearson, of Philadelphia, paid a visit to 1-10 FAR Soldiers at Camp Bucca Aug. 21. During a tour of the base, Grigsby handed out brigade coins to exceptional Soldiers and told them how proud he was of their accomplishments.

After Camp Bucca, Grigsby and Pearson traveled north to Basra Air Station, where Battery B, 1-10 FAR works hand-in-hand with British soldiers of 1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery Brigade.

According to Pfc. Adam Behrend, of Oconomowoc, Wis., Battery B, each Soldier works 24-hour shifts every other day manning an M109 Paladin Self-Propelled Howitzer. Their job, he said, is to make sure the area is clear of insurgent activity.

"It's kind of slow," Behrend said. "We don't get to fire much, but I have seen a decrease in rocket and mortar attacks since we have been here to help out the (British Army)."

Spc. Jason Bang, of Reno, Nev., a medic from Battery B, said he enjoys working with the British Army at the Basra Air Station despite the differences in culture and military standards.

"They (British Soldiers) bring me medical supplies if I need them and they bring us food," he said. "The food is pretty good, but it takes a few days to get used to it."

"Everyone I've met is really nice," Behrend said. "I see a big difference in their standards compared to ours. I would love to be able to wear short sleeves for a uniform."

Bombardier James Gordon, of Sheffield, United Kingdom, a supply specialist with 1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery Brigade said, "This is something different. I've never had this experience before, working with American Soldiers."

Grigsby and Pearson returned to Camp Bucca after visiting 1-10 FAR Soldiers at Basra Air Station, for a final remark on the battalion's performance before heading back to FOB Hammer, where the 3rd BCT's headquarters is located.

"I could not be more proud of the accomplishments of the 1st Battalion, 10th Field Artillery Regiment," Grigsby said. "I have only heard great things about this battalion."

• Date Taken: 08.27.2007
• Date Posted: 08.28.2007 08:21
• Story ID: 12013
• Location: FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, IQ