FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – With the Iraqi National Elections approaching, Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division are in their planning phase to support the Iraqi Army and Iraqi Police while remaining hidden in the background.
According to Capt. Neil Penttila, commander of Company C, 1-15 Inf. Regt., coordination and facilitation of the elections for Najaf has been organized by the Najaf Iraqi Police and the 3rd Battalion, 30th Brigade, 8th Iraqi Army. Company C is currently stationed at FOB Endeavor in Najaf.
“We try to stay in the back ground whenever necessary,” Penttila said. “It’s the Iraqi plan. We’re incorporated into that plan as a safety net. We go on their command.”
During the elections, the 1-15 Inf. Regt. will be providing enablers to the Iraqi Army and Iraqi Police like intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance assets. They will also be ready to provide support at the Iraqi commander’s request.
As part of a reconnaissance mission, Soldiers of Company C traveled to various polling sites in Najaf, Dec. 3, recording their locations and ensuring they will be accessible during the elections.
Penttila said he feels confident in the capabilities of the Iraqi Security Forces in Najaf. That confidence extends to his Soldiers’ readiness if they are called.
Four women from Najaf, Iraq walk down the street as Soldiers from Company C, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, drive past during a reconnaissance mission, Dec. 3, to find polling sites in the area. Company C Soldiers will support the elections but stay “behind the scenes” as much as possible.
Neil Penttila, commander of Company C, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, assesses a polling site in Najaf, Iraq, Dec. 3. As part of a reconnaissance mission, Soldiers of Company C traveled to various polling sites in Najaf, recording their locations and ensuring they will be accessible during the elections.
Soldiers from Company C, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, partner with Soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, 30th Brigade, 8th Iraqi Army, Dec. 3, to assess polling sites in Najaf, Iraq. Company C leaders said they will support the Iraqi Army during the elections but will stay behind the scenes as much as possible.
A boy in Najaf, Iraq enjoys popcorn given to him by Soldiers of Company C, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, during a reconnaissance mission of polling sites in the area Dec. 3. Company C Soldiers partnered with Soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, 30th Brigade, 8th Iraqi Army, to record the sites locations and ensure they will be accessible during the elections 
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