Photo By Sgt. Casey Collier | Sgt. Christopher Chizek, Troop B, 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, questions a...... read more read more
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FORT POLK, La. — Cavalry Scouts from 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment took part in a different kind of training than combat Soldiers normally conduct June 16 and 18 at the Joint Readiness Training Center here.
Well trained to provide combat fire-power to combatant commanders, providing less lethal assets on the ground is another skill these cavalry troopers need to master for their upcoming deployment to Iraq. As with anything else a Soldier is expected to be able to do, training is required to ensure the task can be accomplished in an effective manner.
"The mission was to go out and start a support network with the Iraqi army and the Iraqi police, take a backseat to what they did, and watch over operations," said Sgt. Christopher Chizek, Troop B, 2nd Sqdn, 1st Cav. Regt., also known as BanDogs.
The training include meeting with key Iraqi army commanders at their compound outside the mock Iraqi village of "Al Mawsil", gaining information on terrorist activity in the village, and assisting IP and the IA in apprehending any suspected terrorists.
Although the scenarios were all notional, including civilians as role players, the action, speed, and pounding blades of medical evacuation helicopters were real.
Upon agreeing on a satisfactory plan of execution, the IA, IP and Cav. troopers convoyed to Al Mawsil to seek out, find, and arrest the suspected terrorists residing within.
With interpreters by their sides and their Soldiers assisting the IA in securing the village, troop commanders met with the mayor of the village to discuss the raid and what it would entail.
Once operational details were agreed upon, all three forces moved into the village with the consent of the mayor and a stern, precise focus.
Staff Sgt. Peter Harris, Troop C "Cobras", 2nd Sqdn, 1st Cav. Regt., has been with Cobra Troop for two years and has served one of two tours to Iraq with the Cobras.
"During previous deployments, we didn't have to have warrants," said Harris.
This new requirement is evidence of a greater partnership with Iraqi government agencies.
"We have been trying to get good relationships going with the IA and IP and now we are doing that, and when its warrant based, (US, IA, and IP relations) we have to go to the host nation and work side by side with them. I think it's going to greatly expedite our movements in handing over Iraq, so we can step off and go wherever else we're needed," said Harris.
The cavalry troops were not in the lead. Their presence consisted of helping to secure search and arrest warrants through Iraqi counterparts, and assisting the IA in the shared responsibility of maintaining perimeters of security.
Cpt. Bernard Balsis, Bandog Troop, 2nd Sqdn, 1st Cav. Regt., worked alongside IA commanders to ensure a successful mission.
"This was to simulate what we will be doing in Iraq. Iraqi army and Iraqi police are taking the lead in Iraq. We are there in a supporting role.
"In this situational exercise, we linked up with IA and IP troops. They had a mission and we were there to support them. So we listened, found out what their mission was, helped them out with their planning, and then we executed the mission with them," said Balsis.
This cooperation was most evident when the IP force successfully apprehended and detained two suspected IED manufacturers. The arrest was made possible by information provided by IA officials and evidence secured at the arrest site.
"Overall, the interaction between our troop and the Iraqis was exactly what we will be doing when we get to Iraq," said Balsis, "We learned a lot, and one of the things we learned is that we are very good at interacting with our Iraqi counterparts."
| Date Taken: | 06.20.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 06.20.2009 12:18 |
| Story ID: | 35399 |
| Location: | FORT POLK, US |
| Web Views: | 419 |
| Downloads: | 364 |
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