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Same war, different duty

Oct- 8-2006 » Filed Under: 3/2 SBCT

SEAN COCKERHAM; The News Tribune

Mosul, Iraq – Much blood has been spilled in the shadow of Mosul’s ancient Sumerian gates. This city has suffered through occupations by Persians and Turks, among others, and the murderous rule of Saddam Hussein.

Fort Lewis Strykers pulled up last week to the crumbling ruins of those gates, in an area of the city that today is favored by insurgents.

If this had been 2004, the Stryker soldiers would largely have been on their own, with the police having fled their posts and the Iraqi army in no shape to help.

But times have changed in Mosul. Fort Lewis soldiers who came here nearly three years ago with the same brigade say their role is different this time.

In Mosul, unlike Baghdad, the Iraqi police and army appear to be taking some initiative.

“They’ll stand up and fight now,” said Spc. Milton Sumrell, a 31-year-old who lives on post at Fort Lewis and is serving his second tour in Iraq’s third-largest city.

Last week’s operation in the Al Jazzar neighborhood, next to the Sumerian city gates, was typical of what Fort Lewis soldiers say they do here nowadays. The Iraqi police searched homes, the Iraqi army provided security and the Americans stayed out on the edges and offered advice.

“In some places in Iraq, U.S. forces are fighting the bad guys and trying to drag Iraqis along with them. Here, we are blessed,” said Col. Steve Townsend, commander of 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division.

Staff Sgt. Daniel Roberts, a 31-year-old who lives in Olympia, said his tour here two years ago was direct action against insurgents.[...]


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