Baghdad: A Three-Hour Tour

Monday, August 18, 2003

By SPC Ryan Smith

U.S. Army

Army News Service

“We like doing this a lot. It’s a lot better than guard duty.” [ ... ] “Every time we’ve helped someone in a particular area of the river, whenever we go back, everyone waves.”

Combat engineers from the 671st Engineer Company, an Army Reserve unit from Portland, Ore., patrol the Tigris River in Baghdad Aug. 16.

Image Credit: Specialist Ryan Smith -- Army News Service

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- ANS
Life always seems more peaceful around a body of water. Perhaps that’s why the soldiers of the 671st Engineer Company seem so relaxed.

The soldiers of Portland, Ore.-based, Army Reserve company spends much of their time in Baghdad cruising down the Tigris River on boat patrols.

“We go out on the river and make our presence known,” said Sgt. Timothy Dorris, noncommissioned officer-in-charge of the patrols, 671st Eng. Co. “We want people to know we’re out there.”

While many soldiers think of patrolling in terms of tough foot patrols on the city’s streets, this group of combat engineers considers patrolling a blessing.
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2003 © Army News Service.

Dan