Photo By Sgt. Rodney Foliente | Sgt. Zack Holder, medic, Company C, 2nd Combined Arms Battalion, 8th Infantry...... read more read more
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By Sgt. Rodney Foliente
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division
CAMP ECHO, Iraq – The Soldiers of Comanche Company come from all walks of life. Young and old alike, enlisted or re-enlisted after Operation Iraqi Freedom began — a testament to their dedication for a secure Iraq. Whether it's their first or fifth deployment to Iraq, their service and dedication binds them into a strong team.
Throw into the mix Iraqi security forces, and you have what some might find to be surprising camaraderie and a tightening cohesion between the two forces. They joke with one another, share family pictures and dreams, eat, train, work and live together— chipping away the language and cultural barriers.
It is just the natural order of things: they say they are one – fighting for the Iraqi people and a secure, self-governing Iraq.
Soldiers from Company C, 2nd Combined Arms Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, began teaming up with the 8th Iraqi Army Div. at Diwaniya's Joint Security Station 2, Sept. 23, 2008.
As they continue to refurbish the station, plans are set to soon bring Iraqi police and other ISF components into the station, creating a center where the different Iraqi security elements can refine working together to further professionalize their security capabilities in serving the people.
"We're building the JSS up for the ISF to take over. It will be the central hub for the ISF to better manage the area with an economy of force, having each element of the ISF here working together. When we leave Iraq, the ISF can continue successful security operations in Diwaniya," said 1st Lt. Tyler Bradley, platoon leader, Company C, who comes from Austin, Texas.
Living and working together has done much to help make them more comfortable with each other and provides constant opportunities to learn from one another, said Bradley.
"They're just as exited to learn English as we are to learn Arabic," said Bradley
As if to illustrate the point, outside, Iraqis teach Americans an Arabic song. They laugh as the U.S. Soldiers botch a few words. An Iraqi soldier tries to make a joke about this in English, but needs help from one of the 2-8 Inf. Soldiers. The group laughs again.
There is much for each group to learn and much to teach.
The U.S. Soldiers are conducting classes and training the ISF, which adds a greater degree of discipline and professionalism to their ranks, said Bradley.
"The ISF are emulating us and look forward to patrolling with us. They want to learn and are thirsty for knowledge," said 1st Sgt. Duayne Uhlig, Company C, from Wickenburg, Ariz.
The JSS IA soldiers agree.
"I am very happy to work with the Americans so we can further develop our capabilities to do our job successfully," said Hori, a sergeant with the 4th Bn., 8th IA Div.
He also said he is very hopeful for the near future of working with the U.S. Soldiers and for the time when Iraq no longer needs assistance to secure and govern itself.
"I see a lot of improvement from the last time I was out here. The ISF are a lot more disciplined and are becoming more professional. They're taking care of business and providing security for the area," said Staff Sgt. Donald Anderson, platoon sergeant, Company C, who is on his third deployment to Iraq.
Although Diwaniya is his home for the duration of the deployment, his thoughts drift back to the states. He admits that deployments are hard, especially being apart from his family.
"You kind of get used to it and so does the spouse ... but it's still kind of hard," said Anderson. "It's hard," he repeated, "but I'm an Army Soldier; it doesn't matter what the Army wants me to do or where they want me to go, I'll go. It's my job and I think it's important to be out here. We're trying to improve the situation. It's good for us, the Iraqis and everyone."
Thoughts of home hit everyone, but the Comanche Soldiers know every family and every Soldier helps one another.
"We know our families are supporting us and taking care of each other back home. It's hard for Soldiers to be away from families and hard for families to be apart from their Soldiers. We're here for each other and know the [Family Readiness Group] is there to support the family members. The FRGs are even contacting the parents of single Soldiers and keeping them informed," said Uhlig.
"We've got our guys working hard but they don't know the word 'quit.' I'm proud of them. I consider it a privilege to stand before these guys and the company commander feels the same way."
There is a lot of hard work the Comanche Soldiers have accomplished and a lot of hard work before them, but the Soldiers' morale is extremely high, said Uhlig.
"Building up the JSS establishes stability for the community and lets them feel safer. We're doing a lot of hard work with long hours right now, but it's just what we've got to do. For the deployment, this is our home too," said Pvt. David Shirley, driver, Company C, from Bakersfield, Calif.
| Date Taken: | 09.23.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 10.06.2008 13:17 |
| Story ID: | 24577 |
| Location: | DIWANIYAH, IQ |
| Web Views: | 351 |
| Downloads: | 323 |
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