Stryker Brigade News

"Don't be scared," said Capt. J.T. Eldridge, 28, of Rockland County. "You're going to see us a lot."

In the build-up to today's elections, even as the insurgency has been working hard to create obstacles, the U.S. military has been working overtime in Mosul to help reassure the population of the tense city that the streets will be safe enough. But the soldiers are trying just as hard to stay in the background - to give the Iraqis no reason to accuse the United States of meddling with the outcome.

And so, in the violence-prone provinces that contain Mosul and war-torn Fallujah, where U.S. forces have been asked by Iraqi election officials to help secure polling sites and assist with some logistics, the Americans have been delicately carrying out their roles as invisible enablers.

In one pocket, U.S. soldiers carry blue and white leaflets to hand out to locals explaining the voting process. In another pocket is a card from military brass warning the soldiers against delving too far into election topics with Iraqis.

"Don't enter into political debates," the cards caution. Iraqis will be in charge of security in today's election. U.S. soldiers will be close enough to respond should insurgents strike but will try to remain out of sight.

"The intent is not so much to be hands off, but hands away," said Capt. James Shaw of Los Angeles, a member of the 2nd Battalion of the 325th Airborne Infantry.