Published: April 30, 2007
2-7 Cav Soldiers 'Live the Legend' in Iraq
By Pfc. Bradley J. Clark
Infantry team leader, Sgt. Jesse Aguilera, Company A, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, searches a vehicle during a raid on a possible insurgent's home April 22, in Mosul, Iraq. Aguilera and the rest of Company A, control the Coalition Forces operations on the west side of the second largest city in Iraq. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Bradley J. Clark, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs)
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Soldiers from Company A, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, are on the frontlines everyday in Mosul, Iraq, and have a mixture of emotions on the varied experiences in the second largest city in the country.
"We are the first ones out after something happens," said Riverside, Calif., native, Pfc. Bryan Quintana, infantryman, 1st Platoon. "We cover the whole west side of town."
The company has a wide variety of missions they perform. From escort missions to acting as a quick-reaction force, the Soldiers are always ready to perform.
Infantryman Pfc. Bryan Quintana, Company A, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, takes a knee and pulls security, while platoon sergeant, Staff Sgt. Douglas Lodahl, Company A, 2-7 Cav., scans the housing complex across the street of a gas station during a search mission April 22, in Mosul, Iraq. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Bradley J. Clark, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs)
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"Our whole company gets ready to roll whenever something happens outside the wire," said Glendale, Ariz., native, Sgt. Jesse Aguilera, team leader, 1st Platoon. "We do everything from securing and searching targets to delivering camera equipment to local media outlets."
Despite the challenges and risks, Company A gets reminded why they are here every day and say they still feel safe out there because of the assets available to them.
"The thing that makes me feel safe is when I hear the air support over head," said Aguilera. "I know when we get pinned down, I can look up and hear those rockets and know the insurgents are going to pay for their damages."
A Medic, Spc. Sean Triplett, (left), Company A, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, joins Sgt. Jesse Aguilera, infantry team leader, Company A, 2-7 Cav., at a rooftop over-watch position during a search operation April 22, in Mosul, Iraq. The search operation netted three detainees, over 36,000 Iraqi Dinar and improvised explosive device-making materials. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Bradley J. Clark, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs)
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Despite the recent news of the unit extensions, the Company A Soldiers maintained focused and positive as they continue their mission.
"We expected it to happen," said Columbus, Ohio, native, Pfc. William Stockton, infantryman. "Instead of looking at the negative, you have to look at the positive - it gives us more time to prepare the Iraqis and allows us to be more effective."
The Soldiers from Company A, 2-7 Cav., have a great pride in the job they are doing here and in their division heritage.
"We are out here every day doing our jobs," said Stockton. "We're not losing; we're living the legend."
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