Photo By Kimberly Hackbarth | Pfc. Mike Vasquez, a scout and native of Kingsville, Texas, with 3rd Platoon (Blue...... read more read more
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JOINT SECURITY STATION TARMIYAH, Iraq - On the rooftop of a courthouse, Sgt. Randy Leverett, a gunner with 1st Platoon (Red Plt.), Troop A, 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, held the scope of his M4 to his right eye and slowly scanned the streets and windows of buildings below, looking for a glint in a window, or anything out of the ordinary.
The Trenton, Ga., native had the responsibility of ensuring the area enveloping the building complex was secure, while his troop commander attended a city council meeting inside.
Had he been on the ground, Leverett might not have been able to see everything in the surrounding area. But knowing the many advantages of rooftop security, Leverett and his Soldiers asked permission to be on the rooftop from a tenant of the building and set up their guard posts.
"[On a rooftop] you have the advantage point over the enemy because you have a better view of everything," said Leverett. "I was looking for any possible place that a sniper could be."
Staff Sgt. Jason Moreira, a section leader with 3rd Platoon (Blue Plt.), A Trp., 2nd Sqdn., 1st Cav. Regt., holds the same mindset when he and his Soldiers provide rooftop security.
"When I do reconnaissance, I think like the enemy," said Moreira, a Boston native. "I think 'If I was a sniper, where would I go?'"
Moreira, who is on his second deployment with 2nd Sdn., 1st Cav. Regt., 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, believes rooftop security is an important tactic because a Soldier can see things in the distance, such as numerous streets below, around corners, into vehicles for vehicle-born improvised explosive devices, and the second and third floors of buildings for snipers or any other dangerous activities, creating a versatile security situation.
"Tied in together between the vehicles and the roof, all the reference points become 360 [degree security]," said Moreira.
With the platoon's Strykers encircling the building, Moreira and his Soldiers on the rooftop and other Soldiers on the ground in front of the building, the platoon achieved the desired 360-degree security. All-around security is important for any mission, whether it involves rooftops or not.
"You want to makes sure you have 360 security and your sectors of fire interlace so you have every avenue of approach covered," said Leverett.
The mission and the environment dictates whether security should be provided on the ground or a roof, said Moreira.
"You don't always need [rooftop security], but with tall buildings around I can see more [on a rooftop] than I could with the guys on the ground," Moreira said.
At the end of their commander's meeting, the Soldiers climbed back down the stairwell to the ground, met up with the rest of their platoon and headed home to prepare for their next mission.
| Date Taken: | 01.12.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 02.08.2010 13:14 |
| Story ID: | 45096 |
| Location: | JOINT SECURITY STATION TARMIYAH, IQ |
| Web Views: | 176 |
| Downloads: | 132 |
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