By Army Pfc. Melissa Stewart
According to Soldiers, life at Carwile can be difficult with the operational tempo and frequent attacks targeting the COP. However, their living conditions have improved immensely during the past year. Soldiers have a dining facility that serves 3 hot meals a day, hot showers and heated rooms to live in. Unlike many COPs, Carwile even has a laundry service and a tailor to fix their uniforms."When we first got here we showered once a month," said Army Spc. Joshua Gabbard, HHC. "Now, I definitely feel cleaner and more at home." Aside from improved living conditions, Carwile also has 2 buildings that provide Morale Welfare and Recreation opportunities. The MWR provides Soldiers with a way to relax, contact home and even enroll in online college courses. One building contains computers with internet and phones. The other houses a theater with television and seating.Living conditions were not always good for troops from Company D, however. When Soldiers first arrived nearly a year ago, Carwile was only large enough to hold a platoon. Safety and amenities for residents were both scarce. "When we got here there were 2 tents, 2 B huts, and no real force protection," Gardner said.The safety provisions for Soldiers who resided at Carwile have changed drastically during the past year. "One of the first things we did when we got here was set up a better perimeter," Gardner said. The perimeter is surrounded by large, dirt-filled walls called "hescoes" and razor wire to keep insurgents out, while providing protection against enemy attacks. Various guard towers along the perimeter with Soldiers and Afghan Security Guards provide constant overwatch of the COP and surrounding areas.A more recent improvement in security is the Rapid Aerostat Initial Deployment camera. With the RAID camera, an improvement made in early August, Soldiers can observe activity of surrounding areas more effectively than with the natural eye, which helps keep attacks on the COP down. Other improvements include a Helicopter Landing Zone, a gun line and a larger fuel station just outside the COP. "We have had challenges, and daunting as they were, the men have adapted well," Blackmon said. "It’s a credit to the men and women who serve here."
Marines and sailors with Co L patrol the area outside Now Zad, with members of the ANA and ANP during a security patrol to the town of Khwaja Jamal.
Marines and sailors patrol Khwaja Majal, with members of the ANA and ANP.
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49th Military Police Brigade Public Affairs
Furat IP Training Center Graduates New Iraqi Officers
Joint Search for Explosives in Car Market
Sgt. Billy Andrews (right), searches inside a vehicle with an IP, Nov. 5, during a patrol through a car market in the Aamel neighborhood in southern Baghdad.
The mission was part of an ongoing project by the 30th HBCT to search areas in which explosives or weapons have been found. "The Aamel car market has been a place where they could manufacture things like mortar tubes, and it's been known for housing IED-making materiel," said Knight. The U.S. and Iraqi Soldiers, along with K-9 support, divided into 2 groups, and moved down the crowded strip, searching garages that held cars lifted up for repairs. They talked with shop owners to see if there'd been any suspicious activity in the area. Dark puddles, thick with oil and smeared by water, dotted the ground as K-9s sniffed under car parts and below hydraulic lifts. No one found any signs of explosives, but Knight said the mission was still a success. "It was a presence patrol," Knight said. "Just letting the enemy know that we're still in the area, still patrolling the streets with our ISF counterparts."
As the sun went from a tiny speck to nothing, the IA soldiers finished firing and began picking up what brass they could find. "Our relationship with the IA is very important, and we have to make every attempt to make that relationship better," said Denison.
Father, Son Share Special Moment in Iraq
Maj. Chuck Chapman, a brde logistics support team chief attached to the 4th IBCT, 1st ID, re-enlists his stepson, Spc. Paul Weigand, a satellite communications systems operator with the 4th Bde, 1st Armored Div, Oct. 24.
TALIL AIR BASE - After 3 days of travel, Chapman was surprised to learn that Weigand, 21, was ready to re-enlist, and wanted his stepfather to be the reenlisting officer. The last time Chapman saw his stepson was in March, just before Spc. Weigand deployed to Iraq. For Chapman, being able to be a part of his son's re-enlistment ceremony was a blessing. "Officers look forward to promoting and reenlisting great Soldiers," Chapman said. "The opportunity to re-enlist my son was an honor, and I'm proud of him."