AL DOURA, Iraq -- It’s the middle of the night and Soldiers from Company A, 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment load up in their vehicles to go patrolling in Al Doura.
Their patrol started late in the evening and lasted until mid-morning.
While on their patrol they visited several neighborhoods and talked to the locals.
“We always have an interpreter with us. We often go to the local shops and knock on doors and speak with the people in the neighborhoods,” said CPL Nick Beebe, squad leader.
The Soldiers started the night by stopping at several Iraqi police checkpoints to see how they were doing.
“There is a mutual understanding that we have with the Iraqi police,” said PFC Adam Tudor, mortar platoon member. “We both want to eliminate the insurgents and make this area secure.” The 506th Soldiers got back in the Humvees and drove around the neighborhoods in the area until daybreak. They went into the Muhallas neighborhood and did dismounted patrols to speak with the local Iraqis.
The citizens want the Soldiers help, Beebe said. He has not received negative feedback from anyone.
When Soldiers patrol, the citizens seem friendly, courteous, kind and giving, Tudor said.
“I was surprised when a man knocked on the window of the Humvee and handed me a bag of bread,” said PFC Donald Colgate, the company commander’s driver.
The local people here seemed to welcome the Soldiers’ presence, Tudor said, but they also wish for the Iraqi forces to progress.
“I would like to see them stand on their own. But to make that possible the people need to be more forthcoming,” said Tudor. “We would be able to help the Iraqis and their neighborhoods become more secure and safe for their children and environment.”
US Army photo by SGT Tanasha Stachelczyk
PFC Jason Kinsey (A Co, 2nd BN, 506th) pulls security during
a patrol in the Muhallas neighborhood of Al Doura, Iraq.
