Concrete Barricades Reduce Violence And Car Bomb Attempts
The barriers that are found in and around Baghdad are effective in helping prevent IED and explosive car bombs. The barriers are used in conjunction with checkpoints, and they provide a physical barrier that prevents cars and vehicles that may contain a bomb from progressing into an area until after they have been cleared.
With all of the activity over the last two years, some of the barriers have either became worn or damaged from various sources.
The soldiers from 4th Infantry, 3 BCT, MNF division assisted troops from 64th Brigade, Company A in an overnight barrier replacement effort. Old barriers were removed that had been damaged, and new reinforced concrete barriers were installed.
“We sometimes struggle to place barriers because some of the ground is muddy or uneven, but we were able to make use of rocks to help adjust the ground level.” Said 1st Lieutenant Clay Hanika. Lieutenant Hanika is a platoon leader for Company A, for 64th Brigade.
During the replacement effort on two successive nights, March 20th and March 21st, troops had to be on the lookout for IED devices, and hidden bombs. “Security was tight, and we were able to replace the barriers without any problems,” said Lieutenant Hanika.
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The concrete barriers cut off escape for criminals that would seek to attack and flee. The barriers have made the entrance and exit points to various Iraqi and Coalition facilities much safer, and they do not allow places for IED devices to be hidden. This type of barrier placement results in many fewer casualties than have been experienced before.
