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Rhino Platoon keeps Iraq moving
April 16, 2011
U.S. Air Forces Central, Baghdad Media Outreach Team
Story by Maj. Joseph Coslett

Staff Sgt. Wayne Cridland, Task Force Dragon, Rhino Platoon convoy commander, conducts roll call of manifested passengers, Baghdad, Feb. 23. Soldiers from the 1st Platoon, B Company, 145th Brigade Support Battalion, 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team, Idaho Army National Guard, conduct missions to transport personnel and cargo to and from Victory Base Complex and the International Zone.
Twenty-nine soldiers are force multipliers for thousands to complete their missions in Iraq with the effects of improving the government, setting up a security advisory program and building an enduring partnership between Iraq and the United States.

The heroic soldiers of Task Force Dragon’s Rhino Platoon is the untold story. These warriors are quietly transporting Airmen, soldiers, sailors, Marines, civilians and contractors in support of Operation New Dawn.

Some are combat veterans with multiple tours and others are on their first time mobilized looking for action, but little did some of them know the extraordinary effect they would have on Iraq. This is a three part series recapping a life of 1st Platoon, B Company Brigade Support Battalion, 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team, Idaho Army National Guard soldiers getting officers, enlisted and civilians to locations between Victory Base Complex and the international zone—this is the tale of the pack mules of TF Dragon.

Their tale is not one of fairy tales, but of ordinary men getting up at 2:30 a.m. and risking their lives multiple times a day for people they do not even know.

“Part of our higher purpose is transporting people to make the Iraqi military more self sufficient,” Sgt. 1st Class Henry Carr, Rhino Platoon sergeant and from Bravo Company, Brigade Support Battalion, 116 Cavalry Brigade Combat Team. “I’m proud to wear this uniform as a soldier. One can only hope the efforts of many folks we transport are building that same sense of pride in the Iraqi military.”

Rhino Platoon wakes each morning and meets to catch a bus to arrive at their unit location on Victory at the same time. As they arrive, they start to prepare for movement. The main positions of the convoy consist of the convoy commander, truck commanders, drivers and gunners.

The convoy commander is like the conductor of a symphony. The most important job for the convoy commander is to coordinate the trucks and people.

“I ensure all of the soldiers are where they need to be on time and we make our start and finish times, so the people who have meetings can get where they need to be on time,” said Staff Sgt. Wayne Cridland, TF Dragon convoy commander. During every phase, but especially in the preparation, we will set the tone for the rest of the day and safety is the music we play.

The convoy commander receives the times from higher. The commander will meet the times. For security and safety reasons, the routes and times will vary.

“We vary our times and routes from day to day, so if anyone is planning an activity against our unit they don’t have a constant target,” he said. “This is an important step to get all of my guys home at night.”

At 3 to 4 o’clock in the morning, Sgt. Cridland will check the intelligence reports for enemy activity in the area for threats. Then, he will build the trip ticket for the day’s passengers and cargo.

“We build a roster off of the trip ticket and determine what truck will lead and end,” he said. “Then, I determine who will do communications with higher headquarters. As the convoy commander, it is my responsibility internally to ensure all of those things work when they are supposed to like hitting the check points and communicating our status.”

After the convoy commander has assigned the positions, the truck commanders, drivers and gunners will take action at the same time with only an hour and a half to prepare. One of the truck commanders is Sgt. Gregory Wilson from Boise, Idaho.

“As the TC my main job is to coordinate the crew to make sure the truck is squared away in the morning,” he said. “I’m the point of contact for that truck assigned duties to communicate with the Sky Dragon Main HQ.”

For the driver, their day begins like the other positions in the convoy—early, at the motor pool. Safety is a major concern for the soldiers of Task Force Dragon. Drivers begin there day with that in mind.

“We are out here to make sure everyone gets home safe; I’m not driving wild like at home,” joked TF Dragon Driver Spec. Anthony Kekauoha from Kellogg, Idaho.

“Mostly we get the vehicles ready and ensure everything is checked and up to standards. We check the windshield wipers, the fluids to see if we have any leaks, and ensure that the headlights and taillights are working. The last thing we want is a break down on the road.”

They also do radio checks with the rest of the convoy and TF Dragon main. The driver will also turn on the Blue Force Tracker and the counter radio control improvised explosive device electronic device warfare or CREW system. The importance of the CREW is to prevent improvised explosive device attacks. They are a common technique used by the enemy.

“I’ve seen the damage it can do to vehicles,” said Spc. Longwill, CREW specialist. “The CREW system will mitigate or prevent the damage. If your CREW system doesn’t work you could be putting your buddy’s life at risk, so it is incredibly important to ensure it works.”

Simultaneously, a gunner Spec. Cody Payne from Spokane, Wash., is preparing.

“As a gunner, I wake up at 2:30 to 4:30 in the morning,” he said. “I grab all of my personal protection to include armor and helmet, ammo and the crew served weapon.”

For last couple of months the nights have been cold for these soldiers of Rhino Platoon. Their tale is just beginning, but already they have the customer in mind.

We make sure all of the trucks are running right, Sgt. Carr said and Placerville, Calif., native. We have a maintenance facility here and make sure the trucks are in top shape. Nothing leaves the base unless it is ready to go. The biggest thing is everyone gets back.

“I tell them they are serving a higher purpose of transporting important people to the international zone,” Sgt. Carr said and currently from Post Falls, Idaho. “They are a critical part of the continued formation of the government and enhancement of [Iraqi Security Forces]—this is why they must keep hard chargin.”

Even though the days are long, they all seem to have the same common motivation to wake up.

“The reason I wake up in the morning is to make sure my battle buddies stay safe—it is one of the most important reasons why I’m here,” Spc. Michael Longwill, TF Dragon driver, “I would like to think I have a very large dedication to the group. I’m willing to do what it takes to keep my battle buddies safe.”
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