FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY, Iraq — Patriot Brigade Soldiers and soldiers from the Iraqi Army took to the streets of Baghdad as they conducted combined dismounted patrols in the Rusafa security district, July 2.

Soldiers assigned to Troop B, 3rd Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light) and Iraqi Army soldiers patrolled Rusafa together as a show of force and presence in the area, explained Spc. Michael Morrow, a Rose Hill, Kan. native.

The soldiers were conducting a routine check of the population, seeing if they had any concerns or complaints, said Morrow. In addition, U.S. and Iraqi Security Forces wanted to provide another method of outreach to the community.

“The purpose was to hand out ... flyers and information tip cards with ... a number they (citizens) can call if they have any information to give us without giving up their identity or (having) anyone seeing them doing it,” explained Sgt. Jonathan Herrero, a Peachtree City, Ga. native

Giving Iraqi citizens an alternative way to contact security forces affords the people an avenue to communicate freely with a greater sense of security, said Herrero. The flyers contained information about bombs and other explosive devices and what steps can be taken when one of these devices is spotted, he added.

“We knocked on a lot of doors and a lot of people came out and talked to us,” commented Herrero. Children were very friendly and showed no hesitance in approaching and talking with ISF and U.S. soldiers, he explained.

During the mission, there was one child in particular that Herrero was able to play and joke with. There was a very young Iraqi boy who came outside with his toy gun and for Herrero, it was no different than playing with one of his nieces or nephews, he said.

Herrero was in charge of security to the south, making sure his guys and the IA were pulling proper security for the mission. According to both Morrow and Herrero, the mission was an overall success.

While there is always room for improvement, Morrow said the Iraqi Army has gotten progressively better over the course of time he and his platoon have worked with them.