Photo By Pfc. Susan Blair | Spc. Jacob Gundrum, a team leader for Company A, Task Force Falcon, makes some last...... read more read more
By Pfc. Susan Blair
Task Force Falcon PAO
Northern Iraq- As the sun fell below the horizon; the Soldiers were busy making sure they had enough ammunition, extra batteries, and beef jerky for the upcoming mission. Thanks to good preparation and extensive review of the future operation, they were ready to take on anything the enemy had in store for them.
The Soldiers from Company A, Task Force Falcon, each have their own way to prepare for a mission. Some keep plenty of warm clothes with them to stay comfortable during the severe Iraq winters and some just keep their lucky dog tag with them.
"Once we get word that there's a mission coming up, we come up with a check list of things that have to get done," said Spc. Christopher Barthelme. "We just start at the top, the number one priority gets done first and we work our way down."
Spc. Jacob Gundrum, a team leader for Co. A, TF Falcon, says they review the plans repeatedly. They'll also walk through the mission several times with all their equipment on so the soldiers can get used to wearing the heavy gear.
Preparation for a mission doesn't start a few days before their excursion; in fact it begins months before the soldiers even set foot in Iraq.
"We mainly run and ruck is what it boils down to," said Barthelme.
Along with physical strength training, they attend numerous ranges and live-fire exercises.
Barthelme feels the most important training they do before they deploy is reflexive fire, a tactic that teaches Soldiers how to react quickly and move under enemy fire.
"It gets the guys used to walking ,shooting and helps them get a visual of how far a way a target is, "said Barthelme.
When packing for a mission team work comes into play. Each soldier will help out in one way or another. If one Soldier has to carry more equipment, then another soldier will help cart the other necessities he can't necessarily fit in his assault pack.
"I like to carry a weapons cleaning kit with me," said Gundrum. Due to the mud that uncontrollably comes with the rain during Iraq winters, a lot of the Soldiers end up with mud in the barrel of their weapons. He'll also pack extra gloves and hats to stay toasty.
Barthelme will carry extra batteries for his squad and himself. He'll also carry his own battery charger. "Soldier's will bring me a battery and say, 'My batteries dead.' Using one of the extra batteries allows me to test the battery and make sure it's not the equipment that's actually down," said Barthelme. For comfort he'll bring a hot water heater for coffee.
The Soldiers will usually pack as light as possible— they'll pack the food and water that they need and maybe some warm clothes. But equipment isn't the only thing that the soldiers will carry. Many soldiers keep a good luck charm.
"Some guys carry the St. Christopher medal," said Barthleme. "I carry a dog tag that my brother-in-law gave me that says 'You're in our thoughts and prayers'."
| Date Taken: | 02.06.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 02.06.2007 14:19 |
| Story ID: | 9069 |
| Location: |
| Web Views: | 809 |
| Downloads: | 53 |
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