Courtesy Photo | Spc. Cameron McKnight, of Company G “Ghost Riders,” 3rd Bn., 29th FA Reg., 3rd...... read more read more
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JOINT SECURITY STATION EASTERN BARRACKS, Iraq – The members of Company G “Ghost Riders,” 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Advise and Assist Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, have gotten used to various missions during their current deployment.
Recently, the Ghost Riders handed over operations at a Camp Adder entry control point to move to a joint security station in Muthanna to provide security for the Saints Detachment from Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 3rd Bn., 29th FA Reg.
Security operations are not new to the Ghost Riders who operated one of the main entry control points on Camp Adder over the past five months. However, the transition from Camp Adder to JSS Eastern Barracks brought new challenges and opportunities.
“It was a transition from having everything at your fingertips to a small JSS with fewer resources and fewer personnel,” said Spc. Cameron McKnight of Colorado Springs, Colo. “Here, in the small ECP's, without the extra assistance available on Camp Adder, it’s all about you and the soldier next to you.”
The transition has been trying at times, but they have taken the change of mission, the fast move, the last-minute changes and the new environment in stride.
Shortly after arriving at JSS Eastern Barracks, the Ghost Riders began familiarization training and refresher courses.
“We had a live fire 240-B [machine gun] range the first day up here in the ECP tower to familiarize these soldiers with the weapon and its abilities, as well as the environment they will be defending,” said Staff Sgt. Fernando Caballero, of Robstown, Texas.
In addition to weapons training, soldiers went through courses on analyzing blast craters, vehicle searches, Islamic traditions, and body searches to ensure they were ready for their new mission.
“While they have gone through most of this training before, it’s good to get a refresher but also to incorporate that knowledge with our new terrain and environment,” said Sfc. Curtis Fuller, the Company G first sergeant, from Sacramento, Calif.
While the Ghost Riders have settled in, their ranks have been supplemented by soldiers from Battery B and HHB. This has added a unique dynamic to the training, as they have worked to incorporate these soldiers into their already cohesive unit. The added diversity has brought a new depth of knowledge to the Ghost Riders.
“As soldiers with field artillery specialties, their experience in crater analysis and artillery rounds has added a new understanding for our soldiers on the capabilities of and requirements for various indirect fire attacks,” said Fuller. “These soldiers have also enabled us to run three full shifts, while taking some of the duties like visitor escort away from the Saints so they can focus on their mission.”
The diversity of tasks keeps them challenged, and the assignment to support and defend their fellow soldiers keeps them motivated.
While some soldiers were initially skeptical about the comforts of JSS living, they have quickly embraced their new jobs and their new home with enthusiasm and excitement.
“Everything they had at Adder, they have here,” said Caballero. “And thanks to the Ghost Rider cooks, the food’s actually better over here.”
| Date Taken: | 01.23.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 01.24.2011 03:02 |
| Story ID: | 64093 |
| Location: | JOINT SECURITY STATION EASTERN BARRACKS, IQ |
| Web Views: | 175 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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