Photo By Spc. Michael Pfaff | A Soldier with scout platoon, Bravo Troop, 1st Battalion, 32nd Cavalry pulls security...... read more read more
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Many units in Iraq are faced with a variety of tasks, but one scout platoon here takes that notion to the next level.
Soldiers from the scout platoon, Bravo Troop, 1st Battalion, 32nd Cavalry, attached to the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Task Force Band of Brothers, have demonstrated their flexibility for months in Iraq, operating as an independent platoon undergoing a multitude of different missions.
"We're like the Swiss Army knife of the Army," said 1st Lt. James P. Hester, platoon leader for the scout platoon and Graham, Texas native. "Anything that comes down, we handle. We can do any mission."
The scout platoon initially began working at Forward Operating Base Caldwell, but has been working at FOB Warhorse since January as the only platoon from the 32nd Cavalry.
The platoon's repertoire of missions includes anything including convoy escort, combat patrols, quick-reaction-force missions, joint operations with the Iraqi Army, training of Iraqi Army, route clearance and more. All of this is done by one platoon.
"We're pretty much on our own when it comes to this stuff," Hester said. "We've just got some really good Soldiers who can handle anything that's thrown at them."
In addition to these missions, the scout platoon is capable of functioning for many hours at a time independently providing mission reconnaissance.
Pfc. Brent S. Teller, a cavalry scout with the scout platoon and Newport News, Va., native, explained that it can be challenging staying out in the field for so long because of the lack of sleep.
"Going out the gate, they rely on us to do a lot of stuff," Teller said. "You just understand you have a mission to do, and try to get sleep when you can."
Most recently, the scout platoon was involved behind the scenes with the attack on Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the former number one terrorist target in Iraq. The platoon was tasked with pulling quick-reaction-force duty for Soldiers first on the scene of the air-strike. Days later, they were there again pulling security for combat engineers cleaning up the debris leftover from the attack.
"We're happy to be a part of this," Hester said. "It's a positive step for the people of Iraq, and a milestone for the Iraqi government.
"It's pretty uplifting to know we're getting things done."
Having a Swiss Army knife at your disposal is a great tool, and the Army has scout platoons like this able to undertake any possible mission thrown at them.
| Date Taken: | 06.16.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 06.16.2006 08:20 |
| Story ID: | 6825 |
| Location: | IQ |
| Web Views: | 415 |
| Downloads: | 33 |
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