| LOGISTICS SUPPORT AREA ANACONDA, Iraq, March 22, 2007 -- You need stamina. You need patience. And most of all, you need a sharp eye to do this job. After two hours on the road, the slow-moving convoy stopped to examine something spotted by one of its vehicle commanders, Sgt. Patrick B. Geren of Fort Smith, Ark. The berm, covered in patches of grass, was about 30 feet from the road and appeared much the same as everything else. There was seemingly nothing to look at but more countryside, but the members of 1st Platoon, Company A, 875th Engineer Battalion knew better.
“Every time you find one, it makes you feel good because you're potentially saving someone's life”,
Sgt. Walter E. Rau, team leader. |
In another vehicle, the crew spent several minutes explaining exactly where the object was located, although their passenger couldn't see it. Finally, there it was - the tube of an improvised rocket launcher - little more than a small black dot against the landscape.
If left there, it would be used again. Uncovering this kind of deadly surprise is the mission of this Arkansas National Guard unit based in Jonesboro, Ark. The battalion constantly drives the roadways around Logistical Support Area Anaconda and other territories, hunting improvised explosive devices. “Every time you find one, it makes you feel good because you're potentially saving someone's life,” said Sgt. Walter E. Rau, a team leader from Piggott, Ark. “Every IED has the potential to hurt someone.” All but a few of the platoon members have personally experienced the impact of an IED hit and they have earned their share of injuries. One of the soldiers not on this mission was still recovering from a concussion gained during a recent explosion. Company Commander Capt. David Moore of Conway, Ark., noted their work continues day and night, regardless. Since arriving here in September, Company A itself has driven more than 28,800 miles. “Even on the holidays such as Christmas and Thanksgiving these guys were still clearing the route,” Moore said. “They don't get much rest and continue to do the mission every day.” On this Saturday morning, 1st Lt. George Collins of Hot Springs, Ark., finished up the pre-mission briefing and included a few reminders to his men about procedures - plus a warning about complacency. “These guys are not out there to pop your tire,” he said. “They're out there to kill you.” Before they climbed into their vehicles, the platoon knelt together, their hands on each other's shoulders. The platoon sergeant, Sgt. 1st Class Kahlon Mays of Paragould, Ark., led the platoon in prayer. It was time to put on their armor and go. While technology plays its part, the simple act of watching everything around them is one of the engineers' key defenses. Every soldier has the authorization to immediately stop the convoy if they see something suspicious. Geren said small details can make the difference. When he spotted the improvised rocket launcher, he was in charge of the Buffalo, an oversized armored vehicle equipped with a mechanical arm to examine the possible threats they find. “You're really just looking for something out of the ordinary,” he said. “Sometimes you've got to take a second look at it. You know when something is off.” The battalion has uncovered more than 550 explosive devices since it began its daily hunt. Normally, the engineers find the devices before the explosions find them.”We find a lot more than goes off on us,” Rau said. Because they travel the same roads over and over again, day after day, the soldiers have built a familiarity with the area that has become second nature. “We go down this road so much, that if a rock moves, we know it.” said Spc. Erich Smallwood, a driver from Truman, Ark.
Soldiers discussed their numerous close calls, describing various rocket launcher attacks, close calls with improvised explosive devices, and what it's like to be moving targets for area snipers.
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