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close4-9 ‘Manchus’ check polling sites in election preparation
‘We’re letting these people know we’re still there for them’
Spc. Daniel Schneider/4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division
Spc. Daniel Schneider
Spc. Christian Duran, an infantryman assigned to B Co., 4-9 Inf., greets an Iraqi soldier guarding one of the polling sites, March 1, near the Kandahri marketplace during a patrol prior to national elections.
CONTINGENCY OPERATING LOCATION NASIR WA SALAM, Iraq – A week before the Iraqi elections, Soldiers from 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, conducted a presence patrol along the Kandahri marketplace near Abu Ghraib.
At the request of Iraqi Security Forces, the Soldiers of 4-9 Inf. joined them, March 1, to patrol past polling sites that would be used in the coming election, helping to verify the Iraqis were prepared to protect voters.
“We’re here working together with the Iraqis for a common goal,” said Spc. Yahir Macias, assigned to B Company, 4-9 Inf. “If the Iraqis succeed, then U.S. forces succeed.”
The patrol demonstrated U.S. willingness to support the Iraqi people when requested, said 1st Sgt. Mark Ohme, first sergeant of B Co.
“The ISF have a pretty good handle on security of the area,” Ohme said. “They have a better understanding of security within their area than we do. We’re here to support them when they need us.”
As the patrol walked down streets and alleys surrounding the Kandahri marketplace, children came out to wave to the U.S. Soldiers. Macias waved back to a young boy standing under an archway.
“We’re letting these people know we’re still here for them,” Macias said.
At the second polling site, the Soldiers discovered Iraqi Army and police already providing security.
“Iraq has become a proficient security force,” said Capt. Derek Noel, commander of B Co. “This is a sign of the success over the last seven years that the ISF are at the point they are at now.”
Noel explained how the performance of the ISF has improved substantially from his last deployment to this one.
“There was a time where American forces were in the spotlight,” Noel said. “But now we can place the Iraqis on their own pedestal and take on a different role as advisers and a supplemental combat force.”
Macias said it has been good to see how far the Iraqis have come in standing on their own.
“It always makes someone feel good when helping someone else out,” Macias said.
“We’re helping an entire nation, so the good feeling is even better.”
To see more images of Iraqis going to the polls, visit the following gallery: