Posted on 04/07/2006 7:04:23 PM PDT by SandRat
BAGHDAD (Army News Service, April 7, 2006) – A battalion-sized task force of approximately 700 Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Division, is providing additional security and support in southern Baghdad.
Task Force 2-6 is currently working with the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, to mitigate terrorist activity as the Iraqi parliament begins selecting the new government.
“We were called to Iraq to assist Multi-National Division – Baghdad, to provide support to Operation Scales of Justice here in southern Baghdad,” said Maj. Jeff Grable, executive officer, 2nd Bn., 6th Inf., 2nd BCT, 1st Ar. Div.
“Our Soldiers received a lot of good training down in Kuwait, and now they have the opportunity to use that training and contribute to this fight,” he said.
The task force’s primary mission is to conduct clean and sweep operations, clearing major supply routes of improvised-explosive devices and minimize enemy capabilities in the 4th BCT area of operations, Grable said.
Prior to arriving in Iraq, the 2nd BCT, 1st AD, was part of the Central Command Reserve, or “call forward force.” Task Force 2-6 will return to Kuwait upon mission completion, Grable said.
While staged at Camp Beuhring, Kuwait, the unit received extensive training in a multitude of situational training exercises, to include convoy live-fire and improvised-explosive device clearance, said Staff Sgt. Tyjuan Rodgers, human resources noncommissioned officer, HHC, 2nd Bn., 6th Inf.
Soldiers were also required to complete additional training on their personal weapons, as well as crew-served weapons, such as the M2A3 Bradley Team Fighting Vehicle and the M2A2 Abrams Tank, Rodgers said.
According to Rodgers, Task Force 2-6 has adapted quickly to the combat environment because of the excellent training they received in Kuwait and the help received from the experienced 4th BCT, 4th Inf. Div.
Despite the short amount of time the unit has been operating in southern Baghdad, Task Force 2-6 has already seen early triumphs in their operations, Grable said.
“We have already had great success since we arrived here two weeks ago,” he explained. “Attacks are on the decrease in our area of operations.”
Whether Task Force 2-6 is called back to Kuwait or the unit stays to continue to assist the 4th BCT, Grable says his Soldiers are always ready.
“Our Soldiers are very proud and excited to be with the 4th BCT, contributing to this fight,” he said, “and we’ll stay here until our mission is complete.”
(Editor's note: Pfc. Jason Dangel writes for the 4th BCT, 4th Inf. Div., Public Affairs Office.)
4th ID PING
Task Force 2-6 is currently working with the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, to mitigate terrorist activity as the Iraqi parliament begins selecting the new government.
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