Photo By Staff Sgt. Kevin Lovel | BAGHDAD – Staff Sgt. Patty Arnold-Carney, motor transport specialist, Troop A, 4th...... read more read more
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by Staff Sgt. Kevin Lovel
363rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
BAGHDAD – Soldiers from Multi-National Division – Baghdad's Troop A, 4th Battalion, 14th Cavalry Regiment, 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, conducted a reconnaissance mission in the Karkh district of Baghdad Sunday to foster a working relationship with local residents.
The Soldiers met with key community leaders, Iraqi policemen and residents throughout Karkh to build positive relationships and to get their input on improving security in the district.
"Basically, we're trying to better the security in the area with the Iraqi army and the Iraqi police," said Capt. Duane Waits, platoon leader, Troop A, 4th Bn., 14th Cav. Regt., 172nd SBCT, who hails from Little Rock, Ark.
"We were here for two or three days about four weeks ago," he said. "The people were responsive and liked to provide us with information. We've improved their perception of (Coalition Forces). We try to gather as much information on the area as possible. We identify key buildings, schools and mosques, where we can correspond with key (community) leaders."
Fostering a positive relationship between the Iraqi police, army and local citizens is a key goal for the 172nd Soldiers.
"We're trying to do an initial linkup with the Iraqi police in Karkh," explained Capt. Matt Eberhart, commander, Troop A, who hails from Lincoln, Neb. "We take care of initial introductions and ask them about what is going well, as well as things they could use help with."
The 4th Bn., 14th Cav. Regt. served at Camp Rawah, Mosul and Hadditha during the first year of its deployment, said Waits.
Some Soldiers in the unit expressed the opinion that the current mission in Baghdad is similar to what they accomplished in other areas of operation.
"Soldiers must maintain constant situational awareness," said Staff Sgt. Justin Nelson, cavalry scout, 4th Bn., 14th Cav. Regt. "If you get a little relaxed, that's when bad things can happen," he added.
The Soldiers said they are proud of the unit's accomplishments in Iraq and feel it has made a positive impact.
"I enjoy doing real-world missions. I feel like I'm making a difference," said Staff Sgt. John Pitts, cavalry scout, Troop A, whose hometown is Knox, Indiana.
The Soldiers strive to ensure all Iraqi customs and traditions are honored while on missions and plan ahead for cultural sensitivities, said Staff Sgt. Patty Arnold-Carney, motor transport specialist, Troop A, who hails from Waverly, N.Y.
"When I first started here, I was the female searcher while we finished clearing houses," said Arnold-Carney. "The unit kept us (females) on to help women we may encounter on our missions feel more at ease."
Waits met with schoolmasters, IPs and community leaders on the trip. He also met with Mahmud Al Khalf, director, Iraqi Ministry of Culture, and Aladdin Sadiq Al-Khanak, director general, Iraqi Railways Company, for their insights on current conditions.
"Sometimes we need urgent help with the security," said Al-Khanak, referring to terrorist activity that has occurred in the past in the area surrounding the train station and the company's offices.
"You can help us (by using the tip hotline), and we can help you to better the area," Waits told the community leaders.
| Date Taken: | 10.07.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 10.08.2006 17:20 |
| Story ID: | 7951 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 334 |
| Downloads: | 201 |
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