Ironhorse clears routes with Iraqi Army
Aug 3, 2009
By Pfc. Bailey Anne Jester, 1st BCT PAO, 1st Cav. Div., MND-B
BAGHDAD- Soldiers from the "Dark Knights" route clearance team, 1st Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 1st "Ironhorse" Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division have performed many route clearance missions, but the route clearance mission on July 31 was different from the rest. The 11th Iraqi Army Div. based out of the Rusafa district of Baghdad led the mission.
"Conducting missions where the Iraqi Soldiers perform the real mission with us is just one step closer to us being home," said Philadelphia native, Spc. Shane Torpey, a dismount Soldier for the "Dark Knights."
Route clearance missions are designed to clear roads of improvised explosive devices, explosively formed projectiles or other devices aimed at causing harm to Coalition Soldiers, Iraqi Security Forces or civilians.
"I feel comfortable going out on this mission with the Iraqi Soldiers," said Waco, Texas native, Spc. Emmitt Courtney, gunner for the "Dark Knights". "I am fully confident in the teaching abilities of the instructors and the capability of our IA counterparts."
"Training with the American Soldiers was very good," said Pvt. Khalil Saleh, a Soldier from the 11th IA Div. "If we didn't understand something the instructors used a different method to explain."
Now, two months and several classes later, the IA are performing their first route clearance mission with the U.S. Soldiers.
Upon arriving at the 11th IA Field Engineer Regiment compound, the IA and U.S. Soldiers gathered to conduct a run-through of what would happen that night. Leaders constructed a sand table in the middle of an open area near the instruction site. The large map was hastily constructed of rocks that represented the routes, blue salt which signified water, and logs which framed the sand table.
After discussing routes and the order vehicles would travel in the convoy, all Soldiers involved moved to another open area to rehearse. Once in the open area the vehicle crews simulated their convoy. The Soldiers grouped together in their teams and conducted a step-by-step walk through of the clearance mission. The IA Soldiers led the instructors through the entire plan that was based on their previous training.
"They [the IA Soldiers] have learned a lot," said Courtney. "You could tell that they paid attention during classes, and remembered most of it. If unable to remember something they weren't afraid to ask. That's one reason why I feel comfortable going on this mission with them."
While the IA and U.S. forces were putting on their protective gear to begin the mission, Courtney commented, "I have never worked with the Iraqi Army Soldiers like this. I am looking forward to see how it goes."
"They [the U.S. Soldiers] are our friends. When we work together its like we are one person," said Saleh. "We work together very well as a team."
Once geared up it was time to roll out. Driving down the roads, the IA properly performed everything that they were taught, and did it very well. "I am very proud of them," said Torpey.
Working to enable the IA to conduct route clearance missions on their own has been a new experience for many of the U.S. Soldiers, said Torpey. "The only true difficulty we faced in was the language barrier. But luckily we had interpreters to help us with that."
The training is now complete and so is their first route clearance mission. It was successful and the IA have proven themselves, said Torpey.
"We trust in ourselves," said Saleh. "We don't want the U.S. Soldiers to leave. We have grown to be friends and they have taught us how to succeed; we won't forget that."
"Being here [in Iraq] is an experience, and so is working with the IA and working to get the mission done successfully. They still have some to learn, but I believe they are on their way to making Iraq a better place," added Courtney.
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