By U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Jerry Malec
Fires Brigade, 4th Infantry Division |
| BAGHDAD, April 3, 2006 — U.S. soldiers assigned to the 589th Brigade Support Battalion, Fires Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, have been supporting Operation Money Worth, a mission designed to improve Iraqi-manned checkpoints.
"I can see the transfer (of authority) taking place as opposed to just the U.S. forces running the traffic control points. The Iraqi people are really doing the job themselves. So, as far as seeing a light at the end of the tunnel – absolutely!"
U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Mike Schmidt |
Their mission was to emplace concrete barriers around numerous traffic control points to provide enhanced security for the Iraqi army and the Iraqi police charged with securing the city of Baghdad.
The soldiers worked long hours moving the barriers to make the traffic control points sturdier and safer for the personnel who depend on them. The barriers provide the Iraqi Security Forces protection from such threats as vehicle-borne improvised-explosive devices, small-arms fire, rocket-propelled grenades and mortars.
The 62nd Engineer Battalion was tasked to emplace the barriers. They worked with soldiers assigned to the 589th Brigade Support Battalion, who used heavy-wheeled vehicles to convoy more than 500 of the barriers to various parts of Baghdad and Sadr City.
"These soldiers are out there working as hard as they possibly can, and they are making a difference," said U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Mark Terwilleger, executive officer, 589th Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Infantry Division. “Soldiers put themselves in harms way each day making this mission a reality.”
The operation also gave the 589th soldiers an opportunity to participate in improving the security situation in and around Baghdad and gave them a chance to foster closer relationships with their Iraqi partners. |
 |
| U.S. Army Sgt. Shawn Baker, 589th Brigade Support Battalion, Fires Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, assists with the loading of a concrete barrier onto a palletized-load system truck as part of Operation Money Worth. U.S. Army photo courtesy of the Brigade Support Battalion |
|
|
 |
| Under the cover of darkness, U.S. Army Sgt. Matthew Gumont, a fueler assigned to the 589th Brigade Support Battalion, Fires Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, assists with the unloading of a concrete barriers from palletized-load system trucks at Iraqi traffic control points. U.S. Army photo courtesy of the Brigade Support Battalion |
|
 |
"We had a lot of interaction with the Iraqi army and the Iraqi police, which was good," said U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Elisabeth Gerhardt, water and petroleum platoon leader, 589th Brigade Support Battalion, who led the team that delivered the barriers to the various checkpoints throughout the city.
“You get to see Iraqis as Iraqis, and there's this huge group of people out there that want to be an independent state," said Gerhardt, a Seattle native.
"It opened my eyes to the fact that these people are just like us, you know. They want the best for their country and their people,” said Gerhardt.
"The Iraqis were friendly to us," added U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Mike Schmidt, distribution platoon sergeant, 589th Brigade Support Battalion. "They seemed proud of what they were doing.”
Schmidt spoke of the challenges of hauling the huge barriers through the city, using palletized-loading systems. “The [palletized-loading systems] are capable of transporting over 30 tons of cargo with ease but are sometimes difficult to maneuver through narrow city streets,” said Schmidt.
“So we would definitely have to do a route recon before going out. Then, we would need to locate a turn-around point for the [palletized-loading systems] once we dropped the barriers off," said Schmidt.
U.S. Army Pfc. Zachary Wadsworth, a fueler with 589th Brigade Support Battalion, regularly drove a palletized-loading system during Operation Money Worth.
"It was difficult to drive around in small quarters in some instances, but we got the job done," said Wadsworth, who noted that varying weather conditions sometimes presented a challenge too.
"I've always had a liking of driving big trucks, so when they told me that I was going to be able to drive the bigger trucks, it was pretty awesome,” said Wadsworth.
The 589th Brigade Support Battalion soldiers assisted in updating 21 traffic control points around Baghdad, working with the 68th Engineer Company and the 62nd Engineer Battalion, 16th Engineer Brigade. The soldiers said they felt like the mission allowed them to see the fruits of their efforts.
"I can see the transfer (of authority) taking place as opposed to just the U.S. forces running the traffic control points," said Schmidt. “The Iraqi people are really doing the job themselves. So, as far as seeing a light at the end of the tunnel – absolutely!" |
|
|
|
