America's North Shore Journal

Sgt. 1st Class Joseph Gaskin, a Chicago native, who serves as a platoon sergeant for Company B, 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, gives a soccer ball to an Iraqi boy after a gripping “fische” (foosball) game in which a teenager defeated him by one point. Gaskin routinely conducts patrols with his platoon in the Shawra Um Jadr region of eastern Baghdad and enjoys interacting with Iraqis and making them feel comfortable with coalition forces. He has become well known in the Al Rashad and Hay Nasser areas of the SUJ and Iraqis in the neighborhoods call him “Mr. Yousef.” Gaskin’s compassion for Iraqis and Iraqi security forces has made him very popular in the area, and Iraqis often shout “hellos” to “Mr. Yousef” and his Soldiers on patrol. These types of interaction along with continued combined efforts with the ISF is what Gaskin believes is the key to success in this region.