By Sgt. 1st Class Douglas Schultz 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) Logistical Support Area Anaconda Public Affairs |
CAMP ANACONDA, Iraq, June 4, 2007 — Nebraska National Guard’s long range surveillance soldiers excelled in missions normally handled by active duty infantry units. The Crete, Neb.-based Company D, 134th Infantry Long Range Surveillance Detachment has performed exceptionally well in the last 14 months as Camp Anaconda’s Quick Reaction Force.
"We used a small team to reduce the mortar attacks from an area by almost 95 percent."
Capt. Kyle Hildebrand |
The detachment is part of the Lincoln, Neb.-based 1st Squadron, 167th Cavalry Regiment, that completed more than 1,700 missions, responded to more than 350 significant acts, (including small-arms-fire attacks, indirect fire attacks, and sniper attacks), apprehended insurgents, and responded to downed aircraft.
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Staff Sgt. Jonathan Panipinto, 134th Infantry Long Range Surveillance Detachment, 1/34 Brigade Combat Team, (left) works with 1st Lt. Thomas Traylor during dismounted security operations in Hatamia, Iraq, while Spc. Shane Shandera provides security from the turret of his humvee. U.S. National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Douglas Schultz |
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Sgt. Steven Brewer, 134th Infantry Long Range Surveillance Detachment, (left) and Army soldiers from an explosive ordnance disposal team analyze a crater from an improvised explosive device blast near Logistical Support Area Anaconda, Iraq. U.S. National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Patrick Sitter |
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The detachment is one of only 11 in the U.S. Army adapted to using humvees instead of fighting on foot. Normally, long-range surveillance units are airborne infantry units that are capable of operating for more than 90 days behind enemy lines. This unit has maintained an average of 97 percent full mission capability with its humvees and driven more than 138,000 accident-free miles.
“We had to integrate our light-infantry mindset to guarding static positions and providing security for convoys,” said Capt. Kyle Hildebrand, the unit’s commander. The unit has executed dismounted missions that focused on roadside bombs. Hildebrand said one team reduced the number of attacks by 75 percent in their first three weeks of patrolling.
“I’m proud that our soldiers were able to use their Ranger- and long-range-surveillance skills on some missions.” he said.
Another team significantly reduced indirect fire attacks against the base.
“We used a small team to reduce the mortar attacks from an area by almost 95 percent,” said Hildebrand. “We pride ourselves on our ability to go smaller and infiltrate locations that others might not approach unless they were in armored vehicles.” |
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