By Sgt. S. Patrick McCollum, 58th BCT
Aug 19, 2007 - 5:12:40 PM

Blackanthem Military

BAGHDAD, Iraq – The “Mine Hunters,” Soldiers of the 130th Engineer Battalion, Puerto Rico Army National Guard,, are outside the wire every day of the week with vehicles such as Buffaloes, RG-31’s, Huskies and the M1114 up-armored Humvees, finding and disabling enemy improvised explosive devices before they can be used  against Coalition convoys or innocent Iraqi citizens.

The 130th Soldiers are not limited to one area of operations like other engineers in Iraq, according to 1st Lt. Juan Flores, a platoon leader with C Company, 130th Engineer Battalion. This allows the 130th to cover more ground and spend more time outside the wire in their search for IEDs., said the lieutenant. That has resulted in , according to Flores, the unit’s discovery of 70 percent of all found roadside bombs in the Baghdad area.

After a year of clearing Iraqi streets things have changed for the better,,Flores said.

“You could hardly see civilians out there, people walking on the streets or kids playing around,” said Flores of when his unit first arrived. “Today we know we have made a difference. It’s nice to see civilians that can go outside their houses, sitting around. Seeing kids play like nothing happened.”

“We’re very proud of what we’re doing,” said Flores.

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS:

Spc. Luis Medina, left, and 1st Lt. Juan Flores, both with C Company, 130th Engineer Battalion, transport a robot used to investigate suspected improvised explosive devices during preparation for a route clearing mission Aug. 11, 2007. Members of the unit prepare for nearly three hours before undertaking a mission. The battalion has found 70 percent of all cleared IEDs since arriving in Iraq in September 2006. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. S. Patrick McCollum) (Released)

Spc. Luis Medina, left, and 1st Lt. Juan Flores, both with C Company, 130th Engineer Battalion, transport a robot used to investigate suspected improvised explosive devices during preparation for a route clearing mission Aug. 11, 2007. Members of the unit prepare for nearly three hours before undertaking a mission. The battalion has found 70 percent of all cleared IEDs since arriving in Iraq in September 2006. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. S. Patrick McCollum) (Released)

Soldiers of C Company, 130th Engineer Battalion, Puerto Rico Army National Guard, use a Buffalo mine protected vehicle to investigate a suspicious object while on a mission to clear routes of improvised explosive devices Saturday, Aug. 11, 2007. The 130th Eng. Bn.has cleared more than 70 percent of the IED’s found in Baghdad since they arrived in September 2006. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. S. Patrick McCollum) (Released)

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