Fort Carson Soldiers bring hope to Iraqis

By Spc. Alexis HarrisonNovember 28, 2006

Fort Carson Soldiers bring hope to Iraqis
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Pfc. David Fielder mans the gunner's turret during a trip through the al Doura District of Baghdad Nov. 20. Fielder and the rest of his fellow troops from Company A, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Divisio... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Fort Carson Soldiers bring hope to Iraqis
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Sgt. Daniel Salazar keeps watch from atop a roof during morning patrols through Baghdad Nov. 20. Troops from Company A, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, have been patrolling the al Doura District ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

BAGHDAD, Iraq (Army News Service, Nov. 28, 2006) - In recent weeks, the al Doura district of the Iraqi capital has been a hotbed of activity, the epicenter of a power struggle between terrorists and the Iraqi people.

Commanders from the 2nd "Black Jack" Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, and their counterparts from Fort Carson, Colo., have stressed the importance of securing the district for the sake of the people who live there.

Lt. Col. Stephen Michael, commander of the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, said this area is of the utmost importance to not only himself, but to the commander of the Black Jack Brigade, Col. Bryan Roberts and the commanding general of the 'First Team,' Maj. Gen. Joseph F. Fil, Jr.

The troops have been busy patrolling the district's streets with hopes of bringing more freedom to locals who want to see peace in their neighborhoods.

"There's a simple mantra to this battalion," Michael said. "We're here for the Iraqi people and are against anyone who is against the Iraqi people."

Company A Soldiers patrolled with their Iraqi counterparts from the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Brigade, of the Iraqi National Police.

Keeping watch from a rooftop, Sgt. Daniel Salazar and Sgt. Derek Geringer said that although they didn't have the most action-filled position during the operation, they knew the importance of providing security for their fellow Soldiers.

Staff Sgt. Nelson Grizales said the Iraqi people seemed to be thankful towards the troops, who made their neighborhood safer.

"We want to bring a sense of security for the people of Doura," Grizales said. "The more the locals see us, they'll see we're here to help. We want to let the insurgents know we're here and we're not scared."