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CAMP TAJI, Iraq (May 28, 2008) - U.S. soldiers working together
with their Iraqi counterparts is an important step toward Iraqis
taking charge of their nation
A fire team at a joint security station near Camp Taji,
northwest of Baghdad, is a model for a successful transition from a
dependent Iraq to a sovereign nation that can secure the
people.
The fire team consists of both Multinational Division Baghdad
soldiers and Iraqi soldiers from 36th Brigade, 9th Iraqi Army
Division. U.S. Army Sgt. Michael Rios, a native of Sebastian,
Texas, serves as the team chief. He is assigned to the 25th
Infantry Division's 2nd Platoon, Company A, 1st Battalion, 27th
Infantry Regiment "Wolfhounds," 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team
"Warriors."
The formation of the combined group initially came together out
of sheer necessity when Rios' soldiers were reassigned to other
duties or left the area for environmental morale leave.
The sudden moves forced the U.S. and Iraqi soldiers to learn to
work together and overcome linguistic barriers. Overcoming those
barriers was a challenge, Rios said, but they were eased through
the use of interpreters and hand signals.
"The most amazing aspect of the fire team is that we speak so
little to each other," Rios said. "We work mostly by hand signals
and knowing glances."
Acknowledgement, he explained, is made by a simple nod.
"They work like any other fire team in a modern army," he said.
"They know their jobs, take directions from their leader and
execute. They are well-rehearsed and work flawlessly together."
Rios said he believes in the soldiers' ability to work as
members of a team. In fact, he added, they train together every
chance they get. During their available free time, they come
together to work on close-quarters-combat drills, practice search
techniques for vehicles and buildings, and constantly refine their
battle-drill skills. All team members know what they are expected
to do when hostile contact is made.
"He is a good leader," said Hamed, an Iraqi soldier from 36th
Brigade. Hamed has been on Rios' team since the beginning. "[He's]
patient and decisive, and very funny, too."
Even with a language barrier, Rios is passing on his knowledge
and preparing the Iraqi soldiers to be future leaders. He said his
vision is to be a force multiplier by being an example so these
soldiers can one day show their future soldiers how to be
proficient warriors.
Rios said he demands excellence from his team and doesn't allow
them to give less than their best.
"I want 100 percent from them -- their undivided attention. If
they work hard now and train properly, when it comes to firefights
and real-life matters, they won't have to think about it," he said.
"I want them to identify what they must to do and execute."
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