Iraqis Vote While Striker Soldiers Show Support

3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division ^ | Scott Flenner

[SandRat]

Members of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, assisted the Iraqi security forces with security, while Iraqis exercised their democratic right to vote Jan 31.

By Scott Flenner
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

ADHAMIYAH, Iraq – Members of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, assisted the Iraqi security forces with security, while Iraqis exercised their democratic right to vote Jan 31.

“Our mission today is to allow the Iraqis to completely take the lead on this election process, and we will be out in sector for support if they need us,” said 1st Lt. Jeff Nelson, who serves as a platoon leader for the Command Security Detachment, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div.

With Iraq in the lead, Striker Soldiers had specific and detailed guidelines to follow during these elections while out in sector.

“Do not interfere; do not influence, and do not get in the way of today’s elections” said Col. John Hort, a native of Fayetteville, N.C., who serves as the commander of 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div.

The main support provided by Striker Soldiers was assisting the ISF in northeast Baghdad to enforce a vehicle ban that was emplaced by the government of Iraq for a 24-hour period during the elections to minimize threats. The 24-hour ban was lifted approximately nine hours after it was emplaced due to improvement of security throughout the area.

“Things are going really well; everyone seems to be in a pretty good mood, and there was a good turnout near the sites we stopped,” said Nelson, a native of Rockport, Texas.

The added security provided by the ISF and Striker Soldiers allowed for a large number of Iraqis to place their vote for the first time since 2005.

“This is the best thing we can do [voting]. It is how we the people can change the government to help us,” said an Iraqi resident from the Adhamiyah District of Baghdad. “Democracy is good; we need democracy.”

Associated Images

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[SandRat]

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[tbpiper]

The elections went pretty well it seems, better than ours as a matter of fact. That’s only reasonable because we have democrats to contend with and they only have Al Queada insurgents.

[HardStarboard]

>>>,i>The elections went pretty well it seems, better than ours as a matter of fact.<<<

A proposal that, after voting, Democrats must dip their finger in purple ink might help!

[Eagles6]

Huh? But... but...the war is lost, Iraq is a quagmire...

Good post Sandrat.

[tbpiper]

after voting, Democrats must dip their finger

Finger? I say we dunk their whole head. Five minutes would do nicely.