Photo By Gunnery Sgt. Brenda Varandore | Petty Officer 2nd Class Carlos Rivas poses for a photograph on Haditha Dam, Iraq....... read more read more
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HADITHA DAM, Iraq – Sailors with Riverine Squadron 2, based out of Little Creek, Va., recently took over the mission of securing the waterways near the Haditha Triad in Iraq. With them, they brought a sailor originally from Nicaragua who wanted to help people from another impoverished nation attain freedom and stability.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Carlos Rivas, a personnel specialist, volunteered to become part of the new unit. The Riverines were reactivated to fulfill the mission in Iraq. Rivas accepted back-to-back sea duties to be a part of the second Riverine squadron to deploy.
"Being part of the Rivron squadron is historical," said the South Miami High School graduate. "It hasn't been around since back in the day, during the Vietnam era."
Rivas, who left Nicaragua as a child and now calls Miami home, joined the Navy out of high school in hopes to see the world. He is currently on his third deployment, but because his first two were on ship, he volunteered to see the groundside and serve in Iraq. To prepare for his mission, he attended military schools at Camp Lejeune, N.C., and civilian instruction in northern North Carolina.
"I hadn't had any real combat training before this deployment," said the 29-year-old. "But, we spent so much time in North Carolina, some of us could have bought houses. We learned crew served weapons, tactics, combat life saving, land navigation, the list goes on. The Marines were really helpful with their instruction and taught us so we would actually know it and be prepared."
Rivas credits the turnover received from Rivron-1, the first Navy squadron to deploy to Iraq for this mission, with the smooth transition he and his fellow sailors have experienced in Iraq.
"Rivron-1 set us up for success with a great turnover," he said. "They did a lot of advancements and cleared beaches which allowed us to come in and not have to do all of that. They gave us everything we need to carry on and improve. Our mentality is of pride and we have all sought this duty. We want to be here. So, we will be successful."
Rivas said that he was nervous at first about his deployment since he has not had the opportunity to serve on the ground in a combat zone. He said he was surprised by Iraq and compared it to his native home.
"Iraq isn't as scary or bad as people make it out to be," said Rivas. "I had a different idea of what it was going to be like. But from the beginning, on the convoy from Al Asad to here, I noticed that it was a poor country without a lot of resources. But I come from a third world country, so I wasn't shocked. I hope we can help the people get their country back to where it needs to be. Hopefully we can build some confidence in the Iraqis so they can defend themselves and be able to create a democracy like we have."
Rivas said he plans to continue his career in the Navy and then return to Miami with his wife, Petty Officer 2nd Class Maria Ann Rivas, to retire.
| Date Taken: | 11.08.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 11.08.2007 07:25 |
| Story ID: | 13731 |
| Location: | HADITHA DAM, IQ |
| Web Views: | 592 |
| Downloads: | 578 |
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