News

United States Division – North
TASK FORCE MARNE
Public Affairs Office
COB Speicher, Iraq 09393

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE NO. 100614-05
June 14, 2010

All roads come to an end

TNARNG Soldiers reflect on growing experience

Story and photos by Spc. Jessica Zullig
135th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, 3rd Infantry Division PAO

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, Iraq – The ground rumbled under the weight of more than 50 trucks rolling through the Iraq night. Bright stars illuminated the route for the convoy security team from 2nd Platoon, Troop K, 3rd Squadron, 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Tennessee Army National Guard.
The platoon provided security for the movement of equipment and assets from Contingency Operating Base Q-West, Iraq, as part of the transition to stability operations for United States Division – North.
“We are tasked to provide security for the movement of equipment to facilitate the redeployment of another squadron there and the preparation to transition Q-West from the control of U.S. forces to Iraqi forces,” said Maj. Wiley Hammer, assistant future operations planner for 3/278th ACR. “The movements include anything from vehicles to life support equipment.”
The road these Soldiers have traveled and the lessons they have learned, will stay with them throughout their career.
Staff Sergeant Donald Defrees, a Rutledge, Tenn., resident and platoon sergeant for 2nd Plt., Trp. K, 3/278th ACR, has seen his Soldiers grow over the last eight months, observing nothing but improvement.
“The biggest challenge for the team was training for this mission,” said Staff Sgt. Defrees, who is on his fourth deployment. “It’s new to everyone, but these guys really have a can-do attitude.”
First Lieutenant Brian West, 2nd platoon leader and Newport, Tenn., resident, appreciates the Soldiers in his platoon and how fast they caught on.
“You don’t have to worry about whether they are going to get the job done or not,” he said. “Not only does that show that they have grown over this short amount of time, but it also allows the platoon sergeant and myself to do our jobs.”
Staff Sergeant Defrees and 1st Lt. West work well together, always keeping each other on the same page and providing one another with the information they need to care for their Soldiers and complete the mission.
“Lt. West is a good leader,” said Staff Sgt. Defrees. “He’s prior enlisted and understands a (noncommissioned officer’s) job better than other officers. We cooperate well.”
Soldiers within the platoon mirror the experience their leaders’ have gained.
“We have really come together as a team,” said Spc. Brandon Watkins, a .50 caliber Browning machine-gunner for 2nd Plt., Trp. K, 3/278th ARC, and Knoxville, Tenn., resident. “We have Soldiers organic to the unit as well as some from outside the unit. We’ve come a long way and have grown to work together well.”
As Soldiers of the 3/278th ACR pack their things for redeployment, the Soldiers next to them will be what they remember. The conversations shared in the dark, Iraq night during a convoy mission, will be a slight memory, but the camaraderie they built with one another will be a vivid picture for years to come.

Soldiers of 2nd Platoon, Troop K, 3rd Squadron, 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Tennessee National Guard, enjoy some down time and share stories from past convoys at Contingency Operating Base Q-West, Iraq, June 10. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Jessica Zullig)

Specialist Brandon Watkins, Knoxville, Tenn., resident and .50 caliber Browning machine-gunner for 2nd Platoon, Troop K, 3rd Squadron, 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Tennessee National Guard, prepares to put on his head-set prior to providing security for a convoy transporting equipment and assets from Contingency Operating Base Q-West, Iraq, June 10. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Jessica Zullig)

Specialist Donny Taylor, a gunner for 2nd Platoon, Troop K, 3rd Squadron, 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Tennessee National Guard, equips himself with a gunner restraint system prior to providing security for a convoy transporting equipment and assets from Contingency Operating Base Q-West, Iraq, June 10. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Jessica Zullig)