Birds-eye View: Eyes from above aid ground mission

Photo By Spc. William Hatton | Sgt. Chris Bryant, an infantryman with Company B, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, pulls security on a rooftop for his platoon in Baghdad, Al Mansour neighborhood, April 6. Clewett, a native of Oakland, Calif., and other members of his squad set up rooftop security for their platoon to conduct their mission safely.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

04.11.2007

Story by Spc. William Hatton 

7th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

By Pfc. William Hatton
7th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

CAMP STRIKER, Iraq - In the Al Mansour neighborhood of Baghdad, Soldiers went door-to-door, visiting with locals to not only search for weapons caches, but also to build relationships and gain a better understanding of the resident's needs.

As most of the troops moved through the alleyways and down the streets, three Soldiers sat on a rooftop guarding the streets below.

For Sgt. Chris Bryant, an infantryman with Company B, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, sitting on the rooftop was more than a good opportunity to get a sun tan – it provided the much-needed security for his comrades on the ground.

"Our basic job is to sit up on a rooftop and provide security from a high place," said Bryant, a native of Peoria, Ill. "We make sure that no one fires at our squad or platoon.

"As the unit moves across the neighborhood, we move with them," Bryant said. "We set up on a different rooftop that provides a better view of the ground when they move."

With the constant movement from building to building, Bryant said it became important to pick the building with the best view of the area below.

As the day lingered on, Bryant said the job could be tedious from just sitting in place all day long. Although things were slow this time, the job was still important, Bryant said. Without eyes on the ground from up above, units wouldn't be able to move safely.

"If we don't have good security, then the platoon can't move," Bryant said.

The job of providing security for the troops on the ground is important, but it's also important for the troops to interact with the people and build better relations, Bryant said. When a building is picked for security, the squad providing security also tries to build a bond with the family inside, Bryant said.

• Date Taken: 04.11.2007
• Date Posted: 04.11.2007 09:31
• Story ID: 9859
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ