Free Republic

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq, July 27, 2009 – Most field artillery troops don’t expect to work in civil affairs support, but that’s the way it is with the quickly changing role of U.S. forces here. For many field artillery units, nonstandard missions have become a way of life, and the 2nd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery, Task Force Pathfinder, is no different. As part of the Army’s first Advise and Assist Brigade, the Pathfinders provide military support to developing civil capacity across three provinces in southern Iraq. Christopher R. Hill, U.S. ambassador to Iraq, discusses the role of Task Force...