Posted on 02/09/2010 4:55:23 PM PST by SandRat
BASRAH – As the U.S. prepares to reduce troop levels here to 50,000 by September 2010, military leaders must still complete the mission; even with less boots on the ground. Smaller numbers of Soldiers depend on one another to accomplish the daily tasks needed to maintain the security, integrity and safety of the Basrah Operations Center and this host city that is home to more than 1.2 million people.
Because of the drawdown and the return of U.S. camps to the Iraqi government, the remaining squad-sized elements from 2nd and 3rd platoons, 206th Military Police Company, 49th Military Police Battalion, decided to cross-train to more efficiently complete their missions.
The two squads went over battle drills that may be needed in a real-life situation while also learning how the Quick Reaction Force gun trucks are set up and properly loaded for every possible mission.
Staff Sgt. Anthony Boodoo gave a refresher class on the use and deployment of the Blue Force Tracker system which allows all U.S. Forces to stay in direct contact with each other by sharing real time locations, situation reports and any information that may be mission critical.
Boodoo used 3rd Platoon's firsthand knowledge of the city and of the possible missions to educate the Soldiers.
Later in the day, a British convoy needed a security detail to Contingency Operations Base Basrah so the two squads used this as an opportunity for real-time mission training. While escorting the British personnel, Boodoo simultaneously showed 2nd Plt. Soldiers possible routes through the city, past reference points, possible landing zones and other points that may be integral to the QRF mission.
ping!
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