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Quiet day for brigade

Dec-18-2005 » Filed Under: 172nd SBCT

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By MARGARET FRIEDENAUER, Staff Writer

MOSUL, Iraq--With only a handful of attacks that caused no damage or injuries, Lt. Col. Chuck Webster said the cooperation between U.S. and Iraqi forces to secure Iraq's parliamentary elections Thursday was success.

"The coalition forces were responsible for preparing against a catastrophic event," said Webster, commander of the 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment of the 172 Stryker Brigade Combat Team. "And luckily, nothing happened. Maybe we did something right."

The elections and security at polling places were the sole responsibility of Iraqi security forces, who had trained with U.S. forces in preparation for their role. More than 8,000 Iraqi soldiers and police were involved with securing polling places and searching voters.

But that's not to say U.S. soldiers weren't busy.

Within an hour of beginning their predawn patrols around polling areas, members of Charlie Co., 3rd platoon were hit with two improvised explosive devices along the side of the road. One of the squads left their Stryker vehicle to search for the spotter and trigger men who fire the bombs remotely, but continued the patrol a few minutes later. The series of early morning explosions prompted speculation by troops that there might be several attacks during the day.

"It's like the Fourth of July," Pvt. Donald Terriquez said.

"Welcome to Iraq," responded the squad's translator, who goes by the name Rock.


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