PARWAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan - Soldiers with the 3rd "Red Dragon" Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas, let their presence be known in a new town outside of Bagram Air Field, Oct. 13, 2013.
Red Dragon assumed responsibility for a new area of operation - the town of Qal'eh-ye Nasro - from the U.S. Air Force this month in order to continue assisting the Afghan National Security Forces with presence patrols and assisting with overall partnership security, said Lt. Col. Phil Brooks, Red Dragon commander.
The patrol was an opportunity to integrate with the population of a rather contested village and demonstrate goodwill to the people, added Brooks.
"We went in with good intentions, providing charitable donations and discussing future events with the village elders," said Brooks.
The Afghan National Police Chief led as Brooks met with the Malik and village elder who were thankful for the donations, he said. They were welcoming and ready to discuss issues concerning each party.
"We (Brooks and village leaders) discussed the benefits Bagram Air Field provides for the townspeople, and overall security concerns in and around BAF," explained Brooks. "Overall, the discussion went well."
Although talks went well, Brooks cautioned that when entering a new area, especially one deemed dangerous, security and communication plays a large role in executing a successful patrol.
"The ANP leading us into the village [definitely] helped in our success as well as the training and experience coming from my soldiers," said Brooks.
Sgt. 1st Class Antonio Turegano, a platoon sergeant for Red Dragon's Alpha Battery, said that the Red Dragon soldiers' training and commitment to any mission helped lead them safely through a possibly hostile area.
"We expected the villagers to be reserved, and despite what incidents may have occurred; my men kept their composure," said Turegano, who hails from Oakland, Calif. "Regardless of any situation we are in, the Soldiers stay vigilant and ready to react, which is part of their training."
The overall atmosphere during the patrol and meeting was smooth, he added. This was a good transition for a first-time meeting, and will bode well for future interactions between the Red Dragons and locals while conducting presence patrols in the area.
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