CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq – It isn’t every day a Soldier has the opportunity to share their experiences with the U.S. Secretary of Defense. Soldiers had that chance over lunch at Contingency Operating Base Adder, Iraq July 28.
Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates paid a visit to Soldiers of 4th Brigade, 1st Armored Division. The “Highlander” Soldiers garnered the Pentagon’s attention because they are developing future doctrine as the U.S. Army’s proof of principle for the “advisory and assistance” brigade mission, spearheading the transition of U.S. forces in Iraq to a full-time advisory and civil capacity role.
With Iraqi Security Forces in the lead, the Highlander brigade reorganized its artillery battalion into Task Force Pathfinder, a unit focused on developing Iraqi civil capacity with the Provincial Reconstruction Teams.
The PRTs are staffed by civilian experts in governance, economics, culture, agriculture, education, engineering and law. The U.S. State Department operates the Maysan and Muthanna PRTs, while the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs manages the one in Dhi Qar.
The PRTs are not new to Iraq. They have been working in the region for several years. The difference now is under the “advisory and assistance” brigade concept, nearly 600 Soldiers are assigned to support their efforts and extend their reach into more remote, outlying areas across a three-province area.
To accomplish this mission, Pathfinder Soldiers have undertaken a new job they have not necessarily been trained for. In fact, a roster was created within the task force to identify anyone with “special skills” as an attempt to seek out those with previous expertise in a trade or academic field.
“Our Soldiers have adapted extremely well to their new roles,” said Lt. Col. Mike Eastman, commander, TF Pathfinder. “While this is very different from firing artillery, it highlights the intelligence and flexibility in our ranks today.” During lunch, Gates sought information on how the new role of U.S. Soldiers is measuring up. He asked the PRTs how this new unit has been able to help their efforts toward utilizing the Commanders Emergency Response Program.
Dr. Anna Prouse, team leader of the Dhi Qar PRT, said trusting the Army was met with “initial skepticism,” but after the short time they’ve spent working together, she “could only welcome this increased role of the U.S. Soldiers, seeing how beneficial it has already been in yielding faster results.”
The Secretary of Defense said he was impressed with accomplishments of the Pathfinder Soldiers.
“These guys are a bunch of artillery guys who, with five months of training before they got here, are taking on new missions and having a big impact,” said Gates. Filling gaps like this is enabling the PRTs to focus more closely on current projects in development.
Understanding the large undertaking this new mission entails, Gates commended the Soldiers of TF Pathfinder and conveyed the importance of their role on the deployment.
"Thank you for your service,” said Gates. “What you are doing here is the next phase of our progress in Iraq."
