Photo By Amburr Reese | Sgt. Rick R. Manuel, East Moline, Ill., Personal Security Detail team Reaper platoon...... read more read more
BAGHDAD - The Reaper platoon stood quietly around a wooden table looking over a dust covered map of Baghdad. The map, stretched from end to end, had been taped down at the corners to allow a clear view for everyone looking on. The platoon listened quietly as their platoon leader, 1st Lt. John A. Gillis, Newton Square, Pa., Headquarters Support Company, Special Troops Battalion, personal security detail, dragged his finger along Route Irish through a thin layer of dust.
"All right, we have reports of IED and RPGs in the area we will be traveling today," Gillis said.
Moments earlier the air had been filled with the sound of laughter and rock music as the Reaper PSD team went through their pre-maintenance checks and services, loaded their automatic weapons and double checked plans for the mission they were about to undergo.
"When we are getting ready for a mission, everyone knows their jobs," Sgt. Rick R. Manuel, East Moline, Ill., native and Reaper platoon sergeant said. "We use the time before the package (person being escorted) arrives to double check equipment, plans and briefs."
The PSD team provides general officers, dignitaries, and special guests of Multi-National Corps - Iraq and Multi-National Force - Iraq with armed escorts and close personal security for their visits to various locations in and around the city of Baghdad.
The team is made up of nine Soldiers all with different military backgrounds. Almost every person on the team volunteered for the deployment to Iraq.
Having the opportunity to be part of a PSD team and knowing someone is relying on us to protect them gives the sense of importance, Sgt. Shawn C. Olsen, Belgrade, Mont., said.
Each Soldier was released from their line unit back at Fort Lewis and every person on the team was chosen with special care, Gillis said.
"The Reaper Platoon is a group of Soldiers that have come from different jobs in the Army," said Sgt. Manuel F. Pasana, Fort Lewis, Wash. "The amount of experience that is brought to the table here makes us that much more prepared for the mission."
While out on the road the PSD team is all business. The joking and easy going guys that were back at Camp Victory earlier that morning were focused on the mission at hand. There was steady communication over the radios and every eye in the vehicle is scanned the area outside.
"Our main mission is to get the package from point A to point B as quick and safely as possible," Olsen said.
Reaper team's biggest concern is growing complacent.
"We are constant scanning perimeter, the roof tops and watching for things in the road," Olsen said. "After doing this job for a while you become familiar with facial expressions, so we watch people faces too. You notice when something is off."
Given the nature of the Reaper's mission they are often placed in dangerous positions.
"My main concerns are RPGs and IEDs," Manuel said. "I could fire fight all day long, but those worry me. You never know when you're going to get hit, and it's something you can't fight, you really don't know if it's going to happen to you."
They expressed concerns for the safety of their team and the safety of the people they are escorting.
"Every time we go outside the wire we are taking a chance, but it is our job and we take it seriously," Manuel said.
The individuals that make up the PSD team are a dedicated group of Soldiers with nothing but trust and admiration for one another, and every day they serve together their bond becomes stronger.
"This job gives me a purpose, and I get to lead a bunch of really great guys," Manuel said. "I really believe I have the best guys on my team."
| Date Taken: | 08.05.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 08.05.2009 10:48 |
| Story ID: | 37174 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 899 |
| Downloads: | 219 |
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