A Riverine Assault Boat from Detachment 1, Riverine Squadron (RIVRON) 3, speeds toward civilian contractors with Joint CREW [Counter Radio-controlled IED Electronic Warfare] Composite Squadron 1, out of Baghdad, to test the effectiveness of the boat?s CREW system under realistic operational conditions, near Contingency Operating Base Basra, Iraq, Dec. 14. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Benjamin R. Kibbey)
Allen Tanaka, a civilian contractor with Joint CREW [Counter Radio-controlled IED Electronic Warfare] Composite Squadron 1, out of Baghdad, uses several radio devices to test the range of the CREW system he and his team members installed on the patrol boats used by Riverine Squadron (RIVRON) 3, near Contingency Operating Base Basra, Iraq, Dec. 14. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Benjamin R. Kibbey)
An Iraqi man and young boy out fishing in the final hours of the evening pull their boat alongside the Riverine Patrol boat of Detachment 1, Riverine Squadron (RIVRON) 3, near Basrah, Iraq, Dec. 14. The Riverines perform regular searches of boats out late in the evening as part of deterrence operations to prevent indirect fire attacks on nearby Contingency Operating Base Basra. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Benjamin R. Kibbey)
With the Riverine Assault Boat bringing up the rear, aft gunner and engineer Petty Officer 1st Class Eric Conklin, Detachment 1, Riverine Squadron (RIVRON) 3, watches the shoreline as the sun sets over a patrol hours away from completion near Basrah, Iraq, Dec. 14. Though the security of the waterways in the south will eventually fall completely to Iraqi forces, the presence of the Riverines is an essential part of the current peacefulness of the area. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Benjamin R. Kibbey)
As Petty Officer 1st Class Ron Mejia, port gunner, Detachment 1, Riverine Squadron (RIVRON) 3, looks on, the sun sets over two local fishing boats making their way home Dec. 14, near Basrah, Iraq. The rivers and canals in southern Iraq are key arteries for commerce and a central part of the lives of many locals. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Benjamin R. Kibbey)
Lt. Omar Falah Hassan, platoon leader, 1st Squadron, 52nd Brigade, Iraqi Army, talks with locals who had ducked into a side canal when they saw the boats of Riverine Squadron (RIVRON) 3 approaching. Working directly with the Iraqi authorities during actual operations simplifies communication for the Riverines and allows the Iraqi forces to take a front-seat role. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Benjamin R. Kibbey)
Petty Officer 3rd Class Jason Kendrick, starboard gunner, Detachment 1, Riverine Squadron (RIVRON) 3, keeps an eye out as his Riverine Patrol Boat passes under a bridge during a patrol near Basrah, Iraq Dec. 14. Bridges are a significant security concern for the Riverines, as they can hide a number of possible threats. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Benjamin R. Kibbey)
Petty Officer 1st Class Ron Mejia, port gunner, Detachment 1, Riverine Squadron (RIVRON) 3, maintains a vigilant eye on the shoreline, watching for anything suspicious during a patrol near Basrah, Iraq Dec. 14. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Benjamin R. Kibbey)
Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Kahlich, Detachment 1, Riverine Squadron (RIVRON) 3, holds a small boat steady against a Riverine Patrol Boat near Basrah, Iraq, Dec. 14. Though the patrol was conducted using the Riverines? boats, lt. Omar Falah Hassan, 1st Squadron, 52nd Iraqi Army Brigade, spearheaded interactions with locals during the patrol. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Benjamin R. Kibbey)
