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Mission evolves for soldiers in Baghdad

BAGHDAD, Iraq (Army News Service, May 1, 2003) -- Heavy fighting in and around Baghdad has given way to the occasional 15-second exchange of gunfire between Coalition Forces and the few still loyal to Hussein.

The streets of the city, barren for the past month, have come alive - scores of residents moving about freely by car and foot, businesses slowly reopening for patrons, and highways once again bustling with commuters.

For soldiers of the 3rd Infantry Division and some from the 101st Airborne, the work to be done in Baghdad is far from completed.

The 3rd ID "Raiders" of the 1st Brigade Combat Team moved their operation to downtown Baghdad April 20 to begin support and stabilization operations.

"Our job here is to ensure the continued destruction of any forces loyal to the previous regime," said Col. William Grimsley, 1st BCT commander. "In the process we have to maintain order in the city as the country transitions to a new government."

The 1st BCT is responsible for security for a portion of the city, which is carried out by 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment; 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment; 1st Battalion, 41st Field Artillery; and 2nd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment from the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).

"We have a responsibility to protect the people and property," Grimsley said. "We're helping the local experts restore some of the city's infrastructure."

Running water and electricity are the two major concerns of the local residents, according to an interpreter assigned to the 1st BCT.

The power outage is the result of sabotage by Iraqi forces prior to the division's arrival in Baghdad, according to Grimsley, who said most of the water supply is moved by electric pumps.

Commanders from the Raider Brigade have been meeting regularly with local and civic leaders in an attempt to remedy their concerns and issues, including the security of government buildings and banks, and the needs of medical facilities and schools in the region.

"We made a trip to a local hospital yesterday to see the conditions," said Staff Sgt. Chachi Heard, 1st BCT chaplain's assistant. "Their supplies are minimal and the environment is very unsanitary - people are receiving treatment in the hallways." The visit was one of six the 1st BCT made to survey area hospitals. The brigade has also taken a major step in cleaning the city of the damaged and burned out vehicles and debris left on the roads.

"After sunset Saturday, we cleaned and policed all the refuse and burned out cars from our zone," Grimsley said. "We brought all the vehicles over to a parking lot near the stadium for the residents to use as a salvage yard."

Apart from the effort to revitalize and rebuild Baghdad and the Iraqi government, Grimsley is also focused on taking care of the troops in the area.

"Over the course of the next week, you'll see this place start to flourish," he said from the office of the former Iraqi interior minister.

This includes structural improvements by the 11th Engineer Battalion to living and working areas, as well as eventually offering amenities for soldiers.

"What I'd like to do is bring in local merchants to provide services and goods ranging from haircuts to personal hygiene items to soda," Grimsley said.

He added that the soldiers have enough junk food and sustenance. If family and friends want to send anything, send stationary and school supplies for the local children. "These kids so very much want to get back to school. They just don't have the means." While small pockets of enemy resistance are still present in the city, the Raiders and the rest of the 3rd Inf. Div. are dedicated to the rebuilding of the country.

"We'll continue to do more and more everyday to make this a more livable place," Grimsley added. "Our overall goal is to turn all of this over to the Iraqi people, as it should be."

As far as redeployment is concerned, Grimsley knows that the 1st BCT will follow 2nd and 3rd BCTs. Both brigades have currently been deployed upwards of nine months.

"We will remain here until we are relieved, and that won't happen overnight." Grimsley concluded, with an optimistic view, "I look at it like this - being (in Baghdad) puts us one step closer to going home. That alone is reason enough to be happy."

The 1st Brigade Combat Team is looking for donations of supplies for Iraqi schools and their children. Those who are interested can send pencils, pens, notebook paper, notebooks, crayons, construction paper, chalk and small chalkboards to the brigade headquarters at the address below.

1st Brigade Combat Team c/o Chaplain, Maj. Mark Nordstrom Unit 93100 APO AE 09303-3100

Additionally, attempts are currently being made to send items bulk on cargo flights headed to the region. Contact the Fort Stewart, Ga., and Hunter Army Airfield garrison command for more information.

(Editor's note: Sgt. Craig Zentkovich is a member of the 50th PAD, attached to the 1st BCT, 3rd ID.)