Story by Spc. Dustin Roberts -

BAGHDAD – In an effort to boost area improvement, Multi-National Division—Baghdad Soldiers teamed up with Iraqi security forces to move concrete barriers in the Khadra neighborhood of northwest Baghdad in the early hours of April 20.

Soldiers serving with the 5th Squadron "Longknife," 4th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, MND-B, who recently built a wall of barriers around the neighborhood, were no longer in need of the outer-wall originally securing the area population.

The Soldiers spent about nine days moving close to 500 barriers around Khadra.

"We are pulling security so crane operators can set the barriers in place," said Freer, Texas native, Sgt. Guadalupe Ramos. "This is really just an area improvement operation."

Once squadron troopers ensured the contractors arrived to the site in one piece, they stepped back and let the Iraqi army Soldiers take the lead in setting up cones, checking vehicles and watching the surrounding area for criminal activity.

"They are in charge of this operational environment," said Ramos. "We are just here to protect the area, the ISF and our troops, but they are actually doing the operations."

Ramos said that since the unit arrived in northwest Baghdad in October 2008, Longknife Soldiers have seen a positive change in the Iraqi Soldiers' outlook on their mission.

"We have made an impression on the Iraqi army in several aspects," he said. 'We've helped them build the trust in the local community, we've helped them improve security, and they are accomplishing their mission every day."