MND-B Soldiers share July 4 celebration with IA partners

By Pfc. Lyndsey Dransfield

2nd SBCT PAO, 25th Inf. Div., MND-B

CAMP TAJI, Iraq - Families, friends and loved ones gather together in the heat of summer to enjoy each other's company; with the celebration normally comes loads of food grilled over hot flames and, of course, culminating the evening involves staring at the vivid sky as bright streams of colorful fire imbue the empty space.

Although the Soldiers from Company B, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment "Wolfhounds," 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, "Warrior," Multi-National Division - Baghdad, didn't have a traditional Independence Day celebration, they made the most of the time they had and celebrated with their new friends: the soldiers of the Iraq Army, during a series of athletic competitions to commemorate the birth of our nation.

Capt. Andrew Farina, native of Franklin, N.H., who serves as the commander of Co. B, organized, hosted and participated in the Borzoi Squad Competition at Joint Security Station Sheik Amir, northwest of Baghdad, July 4.

Soldiers from 3rd Platoon Company B, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment "Wolfhounds," 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, "Warrior," Multi-National Division - Baghdad, help their teammates climb a wall during the one-mile steeple chase. The soldiers competed in the Borzoi Squad Competition at Joint Security Station Sheik Amir, northwest of Baghdad, to celebrate Independence Day July 4.

"Competition is always a good thing," said Farina. "It builds camaraderie within our company, giving the Soldiers bragging rights as well as an opportunity to hang out with their friends."

The competition consisted of eight events: bench press, pull-ups, tire flip, bouldering, one mile steeple chase, sprint relay, and basketball and volleyball tournaments.

Each platoon in the company participated and competed against one another. Adding a twist to the competition, Iraqi Army soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 31st Brigade, 8th IA Infantry Division, were invited to partake in the events.

Iraqi Army soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 31st Brigade, 8th Infantry Division, compete against Weapons Platoon, Company B, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment "Wolfhounds," 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, "Warrior," Multi-National Division - Baghdad, in a volleyball tournament during the Borzoi Squad Competition at Joint Security Station Sheik Amir, northwest of Baghdad, July 4.

"Every day we get to see how they (the Iraqi Army) live, but rarely do they get to see how we live. By sharing the wealth of competition, we are developing something in common other then our work," said Spc. Scott Geiszler, a native of Albany, Ore., who serves as an infantry team leader with 3rd Platoon, Co. B, 1st Bn., 27th Inf. Regt.

Many of the competitions were unfamiliar to the IA soldiers and their culture, but that didn't discourage them from putting forth their full effort and support.

The Wolfhound Soldiers put a lot of time into supporting and training the Iraqi Army soldiers, Farina said.

An Iraqi Army soldier from 2nd Battalion, 31st Brigade, 8th Infantry Division, reads the scoreboard during the Borzoi Squad Competition at Joint Security Station Sheik Amir, northwest of Baghdad, July 4. IA soldiers participated in the competition against Soldiers from Company B, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment "Wolfhounds," 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, "Warrior," Multi-National Division - Baghdad.

"I think that it is a good thing for my soldiers to see the IA out here supporting us," he said, adding that the IA and MND-B Soldiers thoroughly enjoyed the shared experience.

Watching the two Coalition Forces participate in friendly competition together is not only a good example of how far they have come in building positive relationships with the people of Iraq but is also a prime example of the safety and security that has been established, he added.

Soldiers from Headquarters Platoon, Company B, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment "Wolfhounds," 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, "Warrior," Multi-National Division - Baghdad, take off for the one-mile steeple chase while competing in the Borzoi Squad Competition at Joint Security Station Sheik Amir, northwest of Baghdad, in celebration of Independence Day July 4.

"I've spent more than one (Independence Day) in this country, and this is the first time we have been able to do this," said Farina. "It really shows the faith that we have in the (Sons of Iraq) program and also the amount of security that they are able to do essentially by themselves."

After a long day competition in the hot sun, Headquarters Platoon took the lead and earned the grand prize: bragging rights and a plaque to hang in their platoon area.

For many, this year's Independence Day celebration was perhaps just another holiday that came and passed. For the Wolfhound Soldiers however, it is one that will always be remembered.

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