Fighting the war in Iraq has transformed artillerymen into light infantrymen, a job filled with cordon and searches missions, motorized convoys and dismounted patrols. Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, accepted and excelled in their nontraditional role. The field artillery Soldiers have dominated a large area throughout the city and rich farmland of Taji, performing in the role of the light infantryman and securing peace for the people of the region. "We've captured 109 insurgents," said Lt. Col. Rafael Torres, commander, 1st Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment. "We've discovered 15 caches (of weapons), three of which were the biggest ever found in this area. We've taken in excess of 1,500 artillery rounds here recently and destroyed them."
Since their arrival in the Taji area in October 2005, the 1st Battalion, or "Top Guns," has undergone more than just artillery-turned-infantry adjustments. Coming from Fort Campbell, Ky., and normally attached to 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, "Top Guns" landed in Iraq and were attached to the 3rd Brigade, 1st Armored Division out of Wiesbaden, Germany. The Soldiers wasted no time in tackling the light infantry role and taking charge of a larger area of operations than most battalions, said Torres. "Our units are spread out, so we have the challenge of constantly maneuvering our forces on the battlefield to ensure that we have the right combat power at the decisive point of an engagement," Torres explained. "I think the operational cell and the batteries have done a really good job in being flexible and doing that."
The missions have been overwhelmingly successful, said Torres, despite the loss of six Soldiers since the beginning of operations. "I think the fact that we are a team is key," said Capt. Robert Jenkins, whose Battery A has sustained all six "Top Gun" losses. "Just maintaining that sense of team and keeping that as the nucleus of everything we do, we'll be alright." |