Benning Soldiers Provide Resources to Strengthen CLC Checkpoints

Capt. Brian Jennings, from Topeka, Kan., executive officer of Company C, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, downloads concertina wire during the Company’s assessment of Concerned Local Citizen checkpoints in Vinn Jahn Village Nov. 14.

Spc. Benjamin Block, from Sierra Vista, Ariz., Company C, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, leads the way as 1st Lt. Aaron Wilkerson, from Columbus, Ga., fire support officer for Company C, an interpreter and concerned citizens follow him down a dirt road on the way to Concerned Local Citizen checkpoints in Vinn Jahn Village Nov. 14.

A concerned citizen from Vinn Jahn Village, along with Soldiers from Company C, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, looks over an area checkpoint Nov. 14.

By Sgt. Natalie Rostek
3rd BCT, 3rd Inf. Div.

COMBAT OUTPOST CLEARY, Iraq – Soldiers and leaders of Company C, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, visited Hajji Vinn Jahn, the sheik of Vinn Jahn Village and leader of the Concerned Local Citizens group in the area, to coordinate checkpoint improvements and check on their new partners Nov. 14.

During the meeting, Hajji Vinn Jahn expressed his concern with small arms attacks on his concerned citizens checkpoints. He described instances where insurgents fired upon his volunteers and then dispersed.

“There is a message the terrorists are giving when they run,” said Capt. Brian Jennings, from Topeka, Kan., executive officer of Company C. “They are not strong enough to stand and fight against the concerned citizens.”

After the meeting, Jennings, 1st Lt. Aaron Wilkerson, from Columbus, Ga., the fire support officer for the company, and other Company C Soldiers walked to each checkpoint in the village to visit with the concerned citizens that were manning them.

The guards at each checkpoint, dressed in their khaki cargo pants and yellow shirts with the Iraqi flag proudly displayed on the sleeve, welcomed the group with smiles and handshakes.

“We visit the checkpoints to ensure all the concerned citizens have the necessary supplies to carry out their mission as the first line of defense for Vinn Jahn Village,” Wilkerson said.

Company C Soldiers unloaded concertina wire, sandbags, and wood for the checkpoints, and Jennings explained more supplies are still to come.

Jennings said the force protection material is to improve the security of each checkpoint. The unit plans to deliver additional materials such as concrete barriers and towers. These materials will help with the safety of the guards at the checkpoints while allowing the concerned citizens full view of the surrounding areas.

Jennings further explained Company C is working on getting more cold weather attire for the group.

Wilkerson expressed his pride in the Concerned Local Citizens of Vinn Jahn Village. Every time Company C Soldiers visit the checkpoints, all members of the Concerned Local Citizens group are in the correct uniform, they carry their weapons properly and are manning the checkpoints throughout the entire day. He said they abide by all the regulations stipulated in their group contract.

“They contribute to the safety and security of Vinn Jahn Village in two ways; they call us when they witness insurgent activity in their village, and they deny insurgents freedom of maneuver in the village,” Wilkerson said. “They have a genuine concern for the safety and security of their town and the families they protect. They share the same interest with us in that respect.”

Company C, 1-15th Inf. Regt. is assigned to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division from Fort Benning, Ga., and has been deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom V since March.