48th Brigade Prepares Security at Polling Sites

Defend America News ^ | Oct 13, 2005 | Army Sgt David Bill

[SandRat]

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Kevin Hand stands ready to have a barrier lifted off a trailer and emplaced around a local polling site in south Baghdad, Iraq, for the Oct. 15, 2005, Constitutional Referendum. Hand is assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 648th Engineer Battalion, 48th Brigade Combat Team. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. David Bill
48th Brigade Prepares Security at Polling Sites
Iraqi Army soldiers provided security with an outer cordon as 48th Brigade Combat Team battalions put concrete barriers and concertina wire into place.
By U.S. Army Sgt David Bill 48th Brigade Combat Team RADWINIYAH, Iraq, Oct. 13, 2005 — As Iraqi citizens vote in the Oct. 15 Constitutional Referendum, they'll do so with a better sense of security, thanks to 48th Brigade Combat Team soldiers. One of the brigade's top priorities is to assist Iraqi Security Forces in securing the polling sites in neighborhoods around southwest Baghdad. Brigade soldiers have been busy placing concrete barriers around those sites. "We don't want to interfere with commerce. We want the emplacements to go quickly with the least impact on the civilian population as possible." U.S. Army Lt. Col. Jeff Edge The focus of the barrier movement plan is to limit the disruption to daily activities of the local population, so the major effort of emplacing the barriers is done during non-peak hours in the city. "We don't want to interfere with commerce," said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Jeff Edge, commander of the 148th Support Battalion which is responsible for transporting the concrete barriers to the various polling sites for emplacement around the area of operations. "We want the emplacements to go quickly with the least impact on the civilian population as possible." The brigade ordered about 1,400 barriers for the effort. The planning began more than 60 days ago as officials ordered the materials from a concrete plant near Baghdad International Airport.	Iraqi Army soldiers provided security with an outer cordon while the concrete barriers and concertina wire were put into place by several battalions from 48th Brigade Combat Team. "No one company or battalion could have accomplished this mission alone," said U.S. Army Maj. John Davis, operations officer for the 648th Engineer Battalion. "The synchronization and cooperation between all the units allowed the mission to be completed ahead of schedule with a minimum of disruption to the local population." With a mostly Sunni population in the brigade's area of operation, the goal is that everyone will have the opportunity to cast a vote for Iraq's future. "If we get something good from [the referendum], it will be better for everyone," said Hassan Abdulah, a local Sunni farmer who was on hand to watch barriers being placed around an elementary school in his neighborhood. "We need peace and security," Abdulah said. "They (coalition forces) do a good job for us here." Within the brigade's area of operation, there are 24 prospective polling sites which the 48th Brigade Combat Team units have been busy making secure for the referendum vote. "Our soldiers recognize that they are not here to influence the election, but they are here to allow the Iraqi people the opportunity to vote," Edge said.

[SandRat]

Wow! More News we did't hear on the LSM!

[TASMANIANRED]

What else is new?

Won't the MSM be amazed when we don't loose.

[Colonial Warrior]

[coladirienzi]

Too bad that we can't use these guys in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Pennsylvania. They might scare the dead into staying in their coffins instead of voting on election day.

[Calpernia]

"If we get something good from [the referendum], it will be better for everyone," said Hassan Abdulah, a local Sunni farmer who was on hand to watch barriers being placed around an elementary school in his neighborhood.

"We need peace and security," Abdulah said. "They (coalition forces) do a good job for us here."

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[eyespysomething]

Hey! I know the guy who wrote this!! I work with him when he's home! Sweet, I'm gonna email him!