MULTI-NATIONAL DIVISION - BAGHDAD

Media Release

HQ-MND Baghdad

Camp Liberty

Baghdad, Iraq

APO AE 09344

Commercial: (914) 822-8174

IRAQNA 011-964-790-192-4675

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RELEASE No. 20070318-11 March 18, 2007

Bulldozer operator by day, security for the night

By Pfc. William Hatton

7^th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

BAGHDAD - Every day it's the same thing, hop into a well used bulldozer and clear and move mounds of dirt. Everything about this scenario sounds common of a typical construction yard across America, but there is one small thing that makes this bulldozer and the mound of dirt unique.

Sgt. Fred Suddeth an engineer with the 887^th Engineer Support Company, 20^th Engineer Battalion, 36^th Engineer Brigade, operates a bulldozer as his unit sets up concrete barriers for Combat Outpost Thrasher. For Suddeth, a native of Eagle, Idaho, operating a bulldozer is more then just a regular job, it's an enjoyable job. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. William Hatton, 7^th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)

The bulldozer happens to be armored for explosive attacks and gun fire and today the mound of dirt happens to be ground needing to be cleared for a new combat outpost being opened in the western Baghdad neighborhood of Ghazaliya.

Sgt. Fred Suddeth an engineer with the 887^th Engineer Support Company, 20^th Engineer Battalion, 36^th Engineer Brigade, pushes a concrete barrier into place with his bulldozer for Combat Outpost Thrasher, located in the western Baghdad neighborhood of Ghazaliya. For Suddeth, a native of Eagle, Idaho, operating a bulldozer is more then just a regular job, it's an enjoyable job. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. William Hatton, 7^th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)

For Sgt. Fred Suddeth an engineer with the 887^th Engineer Support Company, 20^th Engineer Battalion, 36^th Engineer Brigade, operating a bulldozer in Iraq is more then just a job, it's something that provides happiness in an unhappy place.

Joining the Army started off as an opportunity to gain money for college, said Suddeth, a native of Eagle, Idaho. Over time and learning the job, it became something quite fun, he added.

"It's really something else being able to break down and rebuild something," Suddeth said.

Starting off, training for the job was a lot different then how things turned out to be in Iraq, Suddeth said. Now into his second deployment, every day is different as missions change, he added.

"The job tends to be very versatile, every day seems to be different," Suddeth said.

During his first deployment, Suddeth's job was mostly clearing dangerous routes of improvised explosive devices, he said. Now Suddeth and his unit seem to do more building and setting up combat outposts.

Although operating a bulldozer is what he's been tasked for during his current mission, Suddeth finds himself doing numerous jobs as his unit builds different combat outposts, he said.

Another difference about this tour compared to his last is being in a young unit with Soldiers who haven't worked with new equipment, Suddeth said.

"It's sometimes a challenge, but it is rewarding being able to teach the guys in the unit how to do something they didn't know how to," Suddeth said.

As Suddeth clears the ground during a mission, his fellow Soldiers are able place concrete barriers which will help in protecting from incoming mortars, Suddeth said.

With the combat outpost complete, work will continue elsewhere. For Suddeth, another mission will bring more opportunity to do what he loves.