Photo By Sgt. David Hodge | Sgt. James Murray, an infantryman from Alexander, N.Y., assigned to 3rd Platoon,...... read more read more
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By Spc. David Hodge
1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division
FORWARD OPERATING BASE FALCON, Iraq – With temperatures reaching 100 degrees by mid-morning, Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers and the Iraqi security forces experience the heat first hand during patrols throughout the neighborhoods and palm groves of the Rashid District of southern Baghdad.
The Soldiers of Company C, 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, attached to the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, MND-B, along with the Iraqi national police and Iraqi police, have witnessed the effects of dehydration and exposure to the sun first hand during their daily combined patrols within the Jaza'ir community.
"The last couple of days we have seen two ISF members go down because of the heat," said Sgt. James Murray, an infantryman and team leader, assigned to 3rd Platoon, Creek Co., 2nd Bn., 4th Inf. Regt., 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div., MND-B.
One of those, a member of the Iraqi Police, was badly dehydrated when the platoon reached the police station.
"The other day, we walked into the station and a policeman was lying on the ground unconscious," said Spc. Joshua Smith, a combat medic assigned to 3rd Plt., Co. C, 2nd Bn., 4th Inf. Regt.
With the ISF, many cases of dehydration stem from smoking cigarettes and drinking tea without drinking enough water to maintain a balance, explained Smith.
"I gave him an (intravenous fluid) bag and some bottled water, and he was fine afterwards," said Smith, who hails from Twin Lake, Mich. "He told me thanks, and I suggested that his unit still take him to the hospital for further treatment. In my opinion, he would have died of a heat stroke within 30 minutes."
Because of the near loss of a policeman and the fact the weather is only going to get hotter, the 2nd Bn., 4th Inf. Regt. "Warriors" Soldiers, saw the immediate need and trained the policemen on heat casualty prevention and the importance of hydration at the local police stations before starting patrols.
"I taught them how to recognize and treat heat casualties and to prevent them as well," Smith stated.
After the heat casualty prevention class, the Soldiers and policemen mounted up in their vehicles to conduct a combined presence patrol through neighborhoods.
"The training went really well," Murray stated, a native of Alexander, N.Y. "The ISF like training and enjoy any opportunity to learn. We carry out combined patrols with the ISF every day. Working with the ISF is enjoyable, and I personally like interacting with the locals."
The patrol of police and Soldiers marched through the neighborhoods and spoke with the Jaza'ir citizens.
"We conducted a dismounted patrol with oalition forces and stopped to talk to people to see if there was any trouble," said Arshet Sa'ad Gharta, a sergeant, or Areef, and team leader for the 3rd Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Brigade, 2nd National Police Division. "In the neighborhoods, I feel proud – and I trust my guys and unit."
Gharta said his men do a good job out in the streets and learn a lot from the MND-B forces, adding that he also he hopes more combined patrols will take place in the future.
Creek Soldiers continue to mentor and train the police in Jaza'ir to the utmost of their ability while maintaining standards on the battlefield.
"Our Soldiers are out there every day with the ISF – setting the example," Murray stated. "They keep accomplishing the mission no matter how hot it is or how bad the conditions. They keep going forward and making progress every day."
| Date Taken: | 06.23.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 06.23.2008 11:50 |
| Story ID: | 20772 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 240 |
| Downloads: | 229 |
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