Photo By Maj. David Albano | Staff Sgt. Eric Shadowens prepares to accompany Company A on a movement to conduct...... read more read more
MOSUL, Iraq (Mar 29, 2006) - After a twenty minute-wait at Forward Operating Base Courage, Strykers pull up and Staff Sgt. Eric Shadowens, broadcast journalist, 138th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment climbs inside and wedges himself between eight other Soldiers.
The door closes and someone turns on the music box. The angry music of "Rage Against the Machine" blares and the Soldiers head's bob up and down in rhythm to the music.
The hand-play begins. One Soldier slaps the back of another's Kevlar helmet and gets slapped back. Another takes a full M-16 magazine and raps the knee of the Soldier next to him. This scene is reminiscent of a "Three Stooges" movie.
The laughing and joking continues until the Stryker communication radio broadcasts, "Alpha Company leaving the forward operating base."
Like magic, the music and hand-play stop. Suddenly, what seemed like a group of young men one may meet in "any-town, USA", transforms into a group of more serious Soldiers.
From their eyes one can see that the boyishness is gone. They seem hardened now. They are ready to go outside the FOB.
On this day, Shadowens accompanied members of Company A, 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team through the city of Mosul during a dismounted movement to contact.
His mission is to video-document Co. A as they root out anti-Iraqi forces and gather information from local nationals.
He has his digital video camera in one hand, and his rifle in the other.
"The story is important, but self-preservation is more important. It is very difficult to be aware of my surroundings while I am filming. Sometimes I forget, but when I hear small arms fire, it brings me back to reality." Shadowens said when asked about challenges of carrying a weapon and camera.
As Co. A Soldiers entered homes of some Iraqi local nationals for questioning, .Shadowens accompanied them.
The Iraqis were friendly and frequently offered to serve "chia", a favorite tea drink. At one home, Shadowens interviewed Spc. Kyle Jordan, a medic for Co. A.
Jordan and Shadowens are from Englewood, Ohio.
"My high school is fifteen minutes from his." Jordan said. "My school would play his school at football games."
After checking out several local national's homes, Co. A got into their Strykers and continued moving through the city streets of Mosul.
Along their route, they stopped at a taxi cab stand where several taxis were not in compliance with a Coalition Force's policy to have trunk-lids on their taxis.
In the past, some of these types of vehicles were used as suicide vehicle-born improvised explosive devices.
While questioning some non-compliant taxicab drivers, a vehicle-driver chose to disregard a rear security Soldier's hand and voice signals.
The Stryker's gunner fired a warning shot that the driver ignored. He skillfully fired several more rounds at the front of the vehicle, disabling it.
As the crowds quickly began to gather, Co. A Soldiers finished questioning the non-compliant taxi drivers and cleaned up the area before leaving.
Staff Sgt. Paul Volino, squad leader, said, "It is important that we get these taxi drivers to comply. It could mean the lives of American soldiers. We are very fortunate that no one got hurt in that vehicle. It was a very dangerous situation."
As Co. A's Strykers returned to FOB Courage, they radioed their return. It was a long day. They wearily and methodically removed their magazines from their rifles, pulled back on their charging handles, and cleared their weapons.
No music or hand-play now, just some grateful slaps on Shadowens back and some farewells.
"I always feel good getting out with the soldiers. It's good for them and good for me. They really appreciate what we do for them." Shadowens remarked as he trudged back to his office. "Today was a productive day."
| Date Taken: | 04.24.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 04.24.2006 15:26 |
| Story ID: | 6100 |
| Location: | MOSUL, IQ |
| Web Views: | 778 |
| Downloads: | 454 |
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