A 1-15th Inf. Regt. mortar platoon Soldier enters a resident of a town near Al Bawi into the handheld interagency identity detection equipment system database.By Staff Sgt. Sean Riley, 3rd HBCT Public Affairs
FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq – Unlike movie sequels Operation Shiloh II was a huge success.
Operating on tips from local citizens near the town of Al Bawi on Oct. 13 during Operation Shiloh I, the 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment mortar platoon returned to the area and arrested an al-Qaeda member in Operation Shiloh II, Oct. 15.
According to Capt. Chris Pearson, from Baton Rouge, La., the mortar platoon leader, a man in the area confided in the troops on Oct. 13 and stated that his family had been threatened. After the man was identified as an al-Qaeda member, the platoon went back Oct. 15th to detain him.
However, first the platoon needed to pay a visit to someone else. During the platoon’s previous mission Oct. 13, the platoon encountered a mute, 60-year-old man with severe burns to his leg. The platoon rendered medical assistance after talking with the family, said Sgt. 1st Class Robert Lucas, from South Dayton, N.Y., the non-commissioned officer in charge of the mortar platoon.
The man’s wounds had not been treated in over three months.
“The family was afraid to go to Baghdad for assistance,” said Lucas.
The platoon cared for the elderly man’s wounds by cleaning and dressing the burns. When the platoon prepared to return for Shiloh II, Lucas made sure his medic packed special items for burn care.
“When we returned the second time, we changed his bandages and applied some burn cream to help him heal,” said Lucas. “Through an interpreter, we left instructions with the man’s wife as to when and how to change his dressings and apply more cream.”
Pearson believes taking time for the people of the community builds acceptance for the Soldiers’ presence in their town.
“If you build that trust that we’re not here to start trouble,” Pearson said, “we will start to make contacts so we can help them in the future by getting the insurgents.”
Pearson feels the Oct. 15 patrol helped, especially after the aid his platoon provided the man.
“By us coming specifically back to him shows we care about them,” he said. “It shows we are here to help, not just provide security.”
After treating the man’s burns the platoon tended to more serious business and arrested the al-Qaeda member.
Along with the arrest, the Soldiers searched 13 buildings. But their main objective in the area isn’t just looking for bad guys. Pearson said they patrol the area to meet the residents.
“We started meeting with the locals to figure out who lived where and who owned what,” said Pearson. “It’s a small town south of the COP with 20 to 30 Shia and Sunni families. Just from talking with them, we found they actually get along with each other.”
The 1-15 Inf. Regt., is assigned to the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, from Fort Benning, Ga., and has been deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom since March.
FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq – Unlike movie sequels Operation Shiloh II was a huge success.
Operating on tips from local citizens near the town of Al Bawi on Oct. 13 during Operation Shiloh I, the 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment mortar platoon returned to the area and arrested an al-Qaeda member in Operation Shiloh II, Oct. 15.
According to Capt. Chris Pearson, from Baton Rouge, La., the mortar platoon leader, a man in the area confided in the troops on Oct. 13 and stated that his family had been threatened. After the man was identified as an al-Qaeda member, the platoon went back Oct. 15th to detain him.
However, first the platoon needed to pay a visit to someone else. During the platoon’s previous mission Oct. 13, the platoon encountered a mute, 60-year-old man with severe burns to his leg. The platoon rendered medical assistance after talking with the family, said Sgt. 1st Class Robert Lucas, from South Dayton, N.Y., the non-commissioned officer in charge of the mortar platoon.
The man’s wounds had not been treated in over three months.
“The family was afraid to go to Baghdad for assistance,” said Lucas.
The platoon cared for the elderly man’s wounds by cleaning and dressing the burns. When the platoon prepared to return for Shiloh II, Lucas made sure his medic packed special items for burn care.
“When we returned the second time, we changed his bandages and applied some burn cream to help him heal,” said Lucas. “Through an interpreter, we left instructions with the man’s wife as to when and how to change his dressings and apply more cream.”
Pearson believes taking time for the people of the community builds acceptance for the Soldiers’ presence in their town.
“If you build that trust that we’re not here to start trouble,” Pearson said, “we will start to make contacts so we can help them in the future by getting the insurgents.”
Pearson feels the Oct. 15 patrol helped, especially after the aid his platoon provided the man.
“By us coming specifically back to him shows we care about them,” he said. “It shows we are here to help, not just provide security.”
After treating the man’s burns the platoon tended to more serious business and arrested the al-Qaeda member.
Along with the arrest, the Soldiers searched 13 buildings. But their main objective in the area isn’t just looking for bad guys. Pearson said they patrol the area to meet the residents.
“We started meeting with the locals to figure out who lived where and who owned what,” said Pearson. “It’s a small town south of the COP with 20 to 30 Shia and Sunni families. Just from talking with them, we found they actually get along with each other.”
The 1-15 Inf. Regt., is assigned to the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, from Fort Benning, Ga., and has been deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom since March.
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