Posted on 02/22/2007 5:44:18 PM PST by SandRat
HABBANIYAH, Iraq -- (Feb. 22, 2007) -- The drone of a boat's engine, the mist of ancient waters from the Euphrates River, and the deep blue skies of the heavens paint a picture most appreciate. These days, terrorists use this very landscape to conduct insurgent strikes on the Iraqi Army, coalition forces and the civilian population. For the first time in Iraq's history, soldiers are using boats as a strategic measure to battle insurgents and keep Al Anbar Province safe.
Mounted with machine guns and loaded with trained Iraqi infantrymen ready to rush the banks of the Euphrates, the Riverine Assault Company, 1st Iraqi Division, hopes to make a difference in the lives of those living along the shores of the river.
"This river is not safe," said 1st Lt. Hayder Amar, Boat Company Commander. "Hopefully we can (provide) peace."
The Riverines train day and night to perfect their skills. Iraqi soldiers work alongside Marines and practice boat formations, landing procedures, maneuvers and firing at targets.
Hayder believes the Marines provide his company with the best training in the world. He said he owes most of the credit and thanks to the help the Marines have given his men.
Soldiers in the boat company, many whom volunteered, realize the importance of their job. They patrol the river from Kaldia to Fallujah, searching for signs of insurgents, Improvised Explosive Devices and weapon caches. They put their lives on the line daily to stabilize the region and bring security to their neighbors.
Master Sergeant Fahamd Abdl Abas Aziz Alsadey, boat staff noncommissioned officer in charge, said it was difficult in the beginning, but his soldiers knew overcoming the challenges at the start was important to their nation's success. He said everyone in Iraq wants the same thing he wants, to have a free democracy and live without fear.
"It's like we're in jail," he said of the terrorism in his country. "When we were under Saddam, we were in jail. (Everyone) just wants to be free."
Each soldier aboard believes his country will liberate itself. They routinely face uncertainty, hoping their children will never know the prison of terror the insurgents enforce.
"We are delighted to serve our country for the future of Iraq," Fahamd said on behalf of his men.
HABBANIYAH, Iraq -- Iraqi soldiers, attached to Iraq's first ever Riverine Assault Company, guard the Euphrates River against terrorism, Feb. 19. The company patrols the Al Anbar Province from Kaldia east to Fallujah, searching for insurgent activity, weapons cashes, and Improvised Explosive Devices to provide peace in the region. Photo by: Cpl. Ryan M. Blaich
HABBANIYAH, Iraq -- Members of Iraq's amphibious Riverine Assault Company, 1st Iraqi Division, take a break from patrolling the waters of the Euphrates River, Feb. 19. The company takes pride in protecting those who live on the shores of the Euphrates from insurgent transgressions. Photo by: Cpl. Ryan M. Blaich
HABBANIYAH, Iraq -- Soldiers from the 1st Iraqi Division's Riverine Assault Company practice hand signals and maneuvers on the Euphrates River, Feb 19. Marines have assisted the Iraqi Army in amphibious assault training in hopes of securing the waters and provide peace in the Al Anbar Province. Photo by: Cpl. Ryan M. Blaich
HABBANIYAH, Iraq -- Soldier's of Iraq's Riverine Assault Company, 1st Iraqi Division, keep an eye out for insurgent activity during a patrol on the Euphrates River, Feb 19. Terrorist use these waters to conduct insurgent strikes against Iraqi soldiers, coalition forces, and the civilian population. Photo by: Cpl. Ryan M. Blaich
HABBANIYAH, Iraq -- Shade from tall blades grass along the banks of the Euphrates River conceal Iraqi soldiers of the Riverine Assault Company, 1st Iraqi Division, as they conduct patrol operations, Feb. 19. Soldiers train daily to keep the crucial waterways of the Al Anbar Province safe against insurgent activity. Photo by: Cpl. Ryan M. Blaichgood on 'em !
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