'Lion Battery' keeping things quiet to the north

KHARBUL, Iraq - While much of 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment
is in the southern part of Diyala's Balad Ruz district, "Lion Battery"
is holding down an adjoining area just north of where the operation is
taking place.

Soldiers in the artillery unit are securing areas that their squadron
mates and Iraqi army soldiers cleared during an operation this spring
called Saber Tempest. The battery first moved into the area about two
weeks ago. Its area doubled this week when the squad pulled back two
companies to prepare for Saber Pursuit.

Leaders learned the hard way that they must secure the areas they clear.
The Americans launched two missions in the south Balad Ruz area
previously, but didn't leave anyone behind, said Capt. Matthew Shown,
the squadron intelligence officer.

Now the artillerymen are living at rough combat outposts near mud hut
villages to keep in better touch with local Iraqi police and those who
live in the area.

They sleep on cots in buildings without air conditioning, working after
the sun goes down and napping during the hottest part of the day like
the villagers who are now their neighbors.

"You learn a lot about people and a lot about their culture," said Cpl.
Dustin Schell.

The soldiers spend their time ensuring that "Sons of Iraq" checkpoints
are up to standard and manning their own temporary checkpoints on the
favorite routes of enemy fighters.

"You've gotta have a constant presence," said Sgt. 1st Class Sean
Harding.

"They have to see us out here all the time."

That's fine for the villagers of Kharbul, a village next to the base
where Harding's soldiers were staying last week.

During a walk through dirt streets crowded with playing children,
villagers described how just a few months ago they had to stay inside
for fear of their lives.

"We want the coalition forces to make it fully safe here," said Mahood
Abed Ghafor, a Kharbul farmer and the village's moktar, or government
official. "We want to completely finish off the bad guys. Right now the
bad guys are scared of the sound of the helicopters."

Because of the ongoing operation, the artillery soldiers have huge
swathes of territory to cover and will be relying on their Iraqi police
counterparts for much of the manpower.

But the Americans have learned the importance of securing the villages.

When soldiers conclude their most recent operation, they'll be leaving
behind Iraqi army soldiers to make sure they don't have to go back there
again.