Staff Sgt. Travers Brake, a cavalry scout platoon sergeant from Elkins, W. Va., assigned to 2nd Platoon, Troop C, 1st Battalion, 150th Armored Reconnaissance Squadron, 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team, points out the back of solar panels used to power a water-filtering pump as Sheikh Mohammed Shalal Syiar watches, Aug. 28. Photo by Staff Sgt. Mark Burrell

A series of intertwined, water-filled canals create a patchwork of green fields, abundant in crops near the section of al-Zooba, here, in Baghdad.

The intricate irrigation system provides essential water to the local farms but not to its inhabitants.

“Potable water makes the difference between getting disease. For us, it’s the difference between life and death,” said Spc. Stephen Palac, a combat medic, about the importance of available drinking water. “There are all kinds of bad organisms in that canal water which leads to lots of stomach problems.”

National Guard Soldiers of 2nd Platoon “Spartans,” 1st Battalion, 150th Armored Reconnaissance Squadron, 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team, visited one of five solar-powered water-purification pumps donated by U.S. Forces and Iraqi Security Forces to local Iraqis leaders in the area to fulfill the need for potable water.

“Before, the people got sick from the water,” explained Sheikh Mohammed Shalal Syiar, a local sons of Iraq leader, Aug. 28. “Then, we got our water from the pumping station, but it was difficult to get to and if the power was out, then no fresh water. The kids and young people need the water. Now, they come here by foot.”

The clean water from the local pumping station is their main source of water, when the electricity works. Since the neighborhood is at the end of the power grid, power failures are commonplace, said Staff Sgt. Travers Brake, a cavalry scout platoon sergeant from Elkins, W. Va., assigned to the Spartans. U.S. forces in the area recognized a need for portable water filters and filled that need.

“I have a schedule to run the pump,” said Mohammed. “Everybody in the area comes and gets water from here.”

According to Mohammed, about ten people come a day to get water and fill about 200 bottles.

“It’s a simple pump and a simple process,” explained Brake. “It’s very few moving parts and all solar powered. It’s got a battery bank and sucks power from the sun.”

Unfiltered water passes through a filter and out another tube, producing drinkable water.

“Security is number one and water number two,” said Mohammed.

Early in their deployment, the Spartan troops realized that taking care of the community and security are as intertwined as the canal system and the green fields.

“Specifically, this area is thankful to the U.S. forces,” said Mohammed. “They take care of the welfare of the families.”

“It shows we’re trying to help and not ask for anything in return,” said Palac. “It does help the security situation though. [The water pump] is a gift.”

In return, the Soldiers see increases in security gains and cooperation from the community.

“We’re real lucky in our area because the people are kind and respectful and we give that back to them and try to help out,” explained Brake. “They know we’re not here to harm them and we’re here to do good.”

Palac agreed, “It’s something that the kids see and think, ‘Hey, why don’t we try to improve this place too?’ But that’s up to them.”

The Spartans have done their part by bringing clean water to the community, providing security and building relationships. Now, as the young medic suggested, the rest is up to the people of Iraq.

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Story by Staff Sgt. Mark Burrell

Three days after graduating a multi-week training course, the first Special Weapons and Tactics Tactical Response Team was thrust into action December with Coalition forces executed a joint operation in Basrah, Iraq.

The river-focused force filled vital over-watch positions, and maintained active security and communications with Iraqi Police and Army units as well as with Coalition units.

“This demonstrates the capability of this force, and how their training prepared them for real-world missions,” said a Coalition advisor to the TRT.

The TRT is a new capability for Iraq allowing the police to have a specially trained cadre skilled in the art of maritime and land-based, urban-strike operations.

The TRT is targeting smuggling networks and will use watercraft to gain access to areas difficult to reach, said a CF advisor to the TRT.

“Once on the objective, the TRT is trained to quickly transition from the water to the land, so the team can quickly interdict a person or facility engaged in illegal activities,” he said.

The region is a patchwork of navigable waterways ranging from rivers and tributaries to man-made canals and vast marshlands. The abundance of waterways coupled with the proximity to the Persian Gulf and Iranian border has IP officers concerned about the smuggling to Iraq’s enemies.

“Outlaws use the river to hideout and transport weapons from across the border,” said the Iraqi lieutenant in charge of the Basrah TRT.

The TRT will also allow the IP a quick means of reaching small villages to either track down an enemy or deliver assistance to fellow citizens, he added.

While the TRT is now considered the lone, elite river-focused strike force in the IP, the training for the team began on land for the IP volunteers coming from numerous precincts in and around Basrah.

The TRT candidates were taught advanced weapons skills and the principles of waterborne insertion and extraction, said a Coalition advisor to the TRT.

“Within a month, I’ve seen leaders emerging within the team, taking responsibility and pushing each other to do better and get stronger … It’s very encouraging,” said the Coalition advisor mentoring the TRT.

For those who recently endured the difficult training and physical demands to see graduation day, they stand ready to protect Iraq.

“We completed the toughest training and became one of the best and most brave within the IP,” said the Iraqi officer in charge of the TRT during his address to the class during graduation.

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