Soldiers Protect Their House

Photo By William Jones | Sgt. Joseph Pizzarella, a resident of Plymouth, Mass., and a member of the 3/320 Field Artillery Regiment, checks the identification of a day-worker before he enters the base.  

TIKRIT, IRAQ

03.10.2006

Courtesy Story

133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

TIKRIT, Iraq (March 4, 2006) " Convoys and civilians entering the base must be prepared to prove who they are and state their business as they enter Forward Operating Base Remagen.

Soldiers assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division are patrolling the streets of Tikrit, Iraq, as well as ensuring security for the base.

"Force protection is a number one priority," said Sgt. 1st Class Randall "Smoke" Lovelace, platoon sergeant for Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 3rd Squadron, 320th Field Artillery Regiment. "If we can't protect ourselves in our own house, we won't be effective out on patrol."

Civilian workers entering the base must show proper identification as well as be prepared to surrender any unauthorized weapons or cell phones. The next step before they are granted a day pass is a search procedure where they are patted down and passed through a metal detector. Afterwards, they are escorted on to the base.

These Field Artillery Soldiers, part of the Fort Campbell's Rakkasans, balance force protection duties with other duties around the base. They also maintain a watchful eye from security towers along the perimeter.

Soldiers from the 3/320th Field Artillery are maintaining security on and off the base, making life better for the men and women on Remagen and the citizens of Tikrit.

• Date Taken: 03.10.2006
• Date Posted: 03.10.2006 14:21
• Story ID: 5662
• Location: TIKRIT, IQ