Paratroopers Aid Election Security in Tall Afar

Defend America News ^ | Oct 17, 2005 | Army Pfc. James Wilt

[SandRat]

A group of Iraqi men in Tall Afar, Iraq, talk to U.S. Army Lt. Col. Christopher Gibson, commander of the 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, about the country's constitutional referendum, Oct. 15, 2005. U.S. Army photo by Pfc. James Wilt

Paratroopers Aid Election Security in Tall Afar

The Iraqi election day went by without any instances of violence
in the paratrooper-controlled sector of the city.

By U.S. Army Pfc. James Wilt
Task Force White Falcon, 82nd Airborne Division

TALL AFAR, Iraq, Oct. 17, 2005 — U.S. Army paratroopers from the 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, provided support to the Iraqi people during the country's constitutional referendum here, Oct. 15.

"The [mission of the] 82nd Airborne Division, specifically the [2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment], was to provide for a safe and secure environment and to promote a conducive environment for the citizens of greater Sarai (a section of the city), who would come out an exercise their patriotic duty," said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Christopher Gibson, commander of the 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment.

"I'm very proud of the paratrooper, that in concert with the Iraqi security forces, helped make history. I'm also very proud of the Iraqi people who took a stand against terrorism yesterday."

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Christopher Gibson

With the help of Iraqi Security Forces, the "White Falcons" successfully completed their mission.

Election day went by without any instances of violence in the paratrooper-controlled sector of the city.

"We let [the Iraqi Security Forces] take the ball and they ran with it," said U.S. Army Spc. Lucas J. Mills, an infantryman with the "White Falcons."

In the battalion's sector, the Iraqi government utilized three polling sites, which the paratroopers assisted in keeping secure through out the day.

"They provided area security essentially denying the enemy the ability to provide
direct... fire on polling sites," Gibson said.

"The Iraqi Security Forces had the site security and our forces were conducting area security to ensure that the enemy's freedom of movement was denied and that he did not have the ability to provide direct fire weapons to the election sites," Gibson said.

The security efforts paid off for the Iraqis.

"Over 8,000 people voted in our zone," Gibson said. "Both Sunnis and Shiites had very good turnouts during this election."

Paratroopers in the battalion are partially attributing the high number of voters to the security efforts put forth by the Coalition Forces.

"They knew we were going to protect them if they went to vote," Mills said.

Mills, who also provided security for Iraq's inaugural elections, noticed a difference in the voters' attitude.

An ink-stained finger was the mark of a voter in Tall Afar, Iraq, during the constitutional referendum held here Oct. 15, 2005. U.S. Army photo by Pfc. James Wilt

After rushing across a street, this resident of Tall Afar, Iraq, held up his finger to show the U.S. Army paratroopers of the 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, he had voted in the constitutional referendum, Oct. 15, 2005. U.S. Army photo by Pfc. James Wilt

An Iraqi man, who voted on the ratification of Iraq's proposed constitution, reaches with his ink stained hand to shake the hand of a U.S. Army paratrooper from the 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, in Tall Afar, Iraq, Oct. 15, 2005. U.S. Army photo by Pfc. James Wilt

"Last time in Mosul, they seemed a little bit weary, I guess you could say they weren't sure what to expect," he said.

This time they seemed a little bit more confident and understanding of the situation, he added.

Paratroopers who were patrolling the streets could see the people's confidence first hand.

The majority of the citizens in the city had ink stains on their index fingers.

"We came here to give them the ability to vote and they just wanted to show us 'hey look, I did what you guys wanted, I'm free like you,'" said U.S. Army Spc. Phillip A. Smith, an

infantryman with the 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment. This is the Cincinnati native's first deployment.

"They come up to us to show us that they're trying to get better lives for themselves and their children, and their children's children and so on," Mills said.

"The people coming out to vote like they did also shows that they want change," added Mills, a native of Columbus, Ga.

Regardless of whether the voters checked yes or no, the "White Falcons" consider the mission a success.

"I'm very proud of the paratroopers that in concert with the Iraqi security forces, helped make history," Gibson said. "I'm also very proud of the Iraqi people who took a stand against terrorism yesterday."

[SandRat]

AIRBORNE!!!

[Texas WOP]

As a former platoon daddy in B/2/325 AIR I can guarantee my fellow FReepers that the job is getting done. This was the finest Parachute Infantry Unit I have ever served in, bar none. It ain't bragging when it's fact.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[blackie]

Airborne ~ getting it done ~ Bump!