Patrolling the streets of the Iraqi capital is common to just about any cavalry squadron, infantry battalion, troop or company. Now add in regular rotations through a Coalition outpost, where you live next door to the local populous, and you have what many leaders call a "projection of force" to deter would-be terrorists from inhabiting quiet neighborhoods.
Company I, 4th Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment from Vilseck, Germany, is only about a month into their tour, but have already been tasked with running Combat Outpost "Remagen" and patrolling the streets of the Karkh District in central Baghdad.
The stay at the outpost was not what the infantrymen imagined when they first heard they were headed to the capital for a 15-month deployment.
During their last rotation, they were in Mosul fighting a much different battle. Although the environment is far different from their last rotation, the troops don't take what little amenities the outpost has to offer for granted.
Soldiers pack their bags for what usually amounts to four days of rough living at the outpost. Laptops, DVD players and music top the packing list to keep the troops occupied in between patrols through the city.
