Photo By Staff Sgt. James Hunter | Soldiers with 1st Platoon, Company A, 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd...... read more read more
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By Sgt. James Hunter
2nd Brgade Combat Team Public Affairs,
101st Airborne Division
BAGHDAD – Hurriyah is a very busy town in western Baghdad, littered with trash, shopping markets filled with "designer clothing," and men, women and children alike who move through the streets and try to carry on their life with what little normalcy it may contain.
A man in a wheel chair maneuvers down an alley with his young child clinging to the armrest of his father's chair. The man struggles to move himself down the bumpy surfaced road; however, though paralyzed to a wheel-chair, he still manages to nudge a smile as an American convoy passes.
He waves, as does his child, as the Soldiers, mounted in their humvees, wave back in acknowledgement. A child on a bike approaches the convoy on the evening of March 18 with a BMW hubcap wrapped around the frame.
"Mista, Mista, give me money," he said to the truck commander in the vehicle. "No," he fires back jokingly, "You give me money."
Maybe the boy wanted money, maybe not. Perhaps what he really wanted was a conversation with the men he sees daily patrolling through his streets, who continue to bring peace and prosperity to his worn-torn community.
The Soldiers of Company A "Hard Rock," 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Multi-National Division – Baghdad, patrol the streets of Hurriyah daily in an attempt to quell terrorist and criminal activity, and aid in improving the economy, government, infrastructure and civil services.
The Soldiers often visit local leaders in the community and maintain a presence in what some would consider a very dangerous area. Often, they speak with local nationals to gain an assessment on their current living conditions, the enemy activity in the area, and any tips that would help the Multi-National Division - Baghdad Soldiers take the bad guys off the streets.
Partnered with the Iraqi security forces in the area, they move through the streets of Hurriyah in an attempt to improve the area and aid the development of the ISF, said Sgt. Brandon Griffis, a native of Pendleton, Ind., and weapons squad leader for 1st "Black Sheep" Platoon, Co. A, 1-502nd Inf. Regt. Part of their overall mission is help ensure the Iraqi army continues to increase its capabilities to "get the job done."
Often, according to Griffis, the Soldiers train their IA counterparts at their compound in Hurriyah. They teach them basic first aid procedures that deal with such things as applying a tourniquet, stopping bleeding and resuscitation. They also teach them about land navigation and how to maneuver in an urban environment.
Though they patrol with them often, they continue to train them on patrolling techniques because just as coalition forces do, it's a technique they must always practice, said Griffis.
However, Griffis said he feels the biggest problem when it comes to the growth of the IA is the Iraqi citizens reliance on coalition forces – especially with the many assets available to them in the Iraqi security forces.
"We've got to instill as much confidence in the people for the Iraqi army because that is who they are going to have when we leave," he said.
When they see the Iraqi army on patrol, they can begin to earn their trust, especially when they see them doing good things, said Griffis.
"They are their military, and they are here to help them," he said. "When they see them patrolling, I think it let's the community know that the Iraqi Government is trying to help them. It lets them know that Iraq is starting to stand on its own two feet because that's the bottom line; basically, one day, we won't be here. It's up to the Iraqi army to do the job we are doing."
The IA is coming along real well, he said, adding that he is very impressed with their abilities and their potential. In the meantime however, there are still issues that sit at their forefront.
One of the biggest problems is getting the people of Hurriyah to talk, said Spc. Jake Grosschmidt, a native of Canton, Ohio, who is currently attached to the company.
While on a joint patrol with the Iraqi army, he went into a small building where four Iraqi men were playing dominoes. He began asking questions, knowing they had some information, but got nothing in response.
"I just wanted to tell them that if they wanted a better Hurriyah, they need to start talking if they want to make it better for themselves. We do a lot for them, but sometimes it's up to the citizens to push the insurgents out themselves. We need their help; it's not just us. They're just afraid."
And that is exactly what it is – the people of Hurriyah are scared of the militia's operating in their area.
"The groups we are fighting are in it for the money. Since the people are so innocent and scared, they will do anything for their own safety," Grosschmidt said. "If it's paying those guys money, then they'll do it. The money they pay them goes toward weapons."
The militia's have a fear instilled in the people of Hurriyah, Griffis said. "so sometimes it's difficult for people to tell us information we need to know. They are scared."
With that, it just makes Griffis and his men want to push out into Hurriyah even more to let the people know they will not stand for militia's trying to disrupt their way of life.
"When we go out there, the message we try to spread is you don't have to pay for security. You have the right to live in a secure, free environment," Griffis said. "It just means we have to get out there and get after it more."
The Soldiers talk to the people, the local nationals of Hurriyah, to listen and try to understand their problems and come up with solutions to those problems. Most importantly, they are trying to catch those who the citizens are afraid of, said Grosschmidt.
"The more information we find on them then the better we can help out the people," he explained.
"Every time you catch someone, that is a step in the right direction," added Griffis. "If you take one of those guys off the streets, that does something in the community or neighborhood you did it in because they are all scared. These guys do horrible things to them, and they are frightened."
The Soldiers work at a high level knowing, "When we're out at night, they'll go to sleep because they know the Americans are there," said Griffis.
And that is where the credit lies – with the Soldiers of Hard Rock who patrol the streets daily.
"From the very beginning it's been a tight-knit group of guys. You can't separate these guys for nothing," said Griffis. "They give a lot. There is not one person out there in our platoon that won't give 110 percent when asked. They know that their leadership is going to take care of them."
One of the reasons Griffis joined the Army in the first place, he said, is to watch his Soldiers grow.
"It's amazing to watch them from the time they first come in until now," he said. "They are seasoned Soldiers. They are combat proven. It's amazing to sit back and watch something like that. I wouldn't rather be anywhere else then where I am right now."
| Date Taken: | 03.24.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 03.27.2008 09:54 |
| Story ID: | 17802 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 218 |
| Downloads: | 184 |
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