Posted on 04/21/2006 4:01:53 PM PDT by SandRat
BAGHDAD (Army News Service, April 21, 2006) – Working together as a cohesive team, Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers, Iraqi army soldiers and private-security company employees work at entry control checkpoints to provide safety and security for Baghdad’s “Green Zone.”
“Our mission is to provide safety for the local nationals (and IA and MND-B Soldiers). We try to keep terrorists out of the Green Zone. It’s pretty much a safe haven,” said Sgt. 1st Class Jesse Matthews, infantryman, 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, who works at an Entry Control Point near Forward Operating Base Prosperity side-by-side with his Iraqi counterparts.
“The main thing we do is make sure people have proper identification and passports. We make sure they’re not bringing in suicide-vest improvised-explosive devices, vehicle-borne IEDs and weapons they’re not supposed to have,” said Matthews.
The MND-B Soldiers said one of the benefits of their jobs is the opportunity to interact with Iraqi citizens.
Spc. Sevillano Gonzalez, infantryman, 1st Bn., 12th Inf. Regt., 4th BCT, 4th Inf. Div., said he likes the fact that he “gets to see different faces and different attitudes. I get to know the Iraqi nationals more,” but acknowledges “every day is a stressful day.”
(Editor’s note: Staff Sgt. Kevin Lovel writes for the 363rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.)
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