U.S. Army Rough Riders

US Army, NEW YORK: As the Coalition's role in Iraq has gradually shifted towards supporting Iraqi security forces, American Soldiers continue to battle insurgents in the streets of Baghdad, Fallujah and beyond.  
 
As seen in the September 20th attacks on American soldiers in Ramadi, convoy operations remain a constant target of terrorists as they look to disrupt supply lines and damage the Coalition's reconstruction of Iraq.  
 
To reduce these attacks on crucial supply convoys, the U.S. Army has created an elite convoy security unit, specifically designed to provide top-notch force protection for personnel and equipment traveling in and around Baghdad's often-volatile International Zone. Nicknamed the Rough Riders, this 32 member joint-service unit conducts several hundred security missions each month in their fleet of up-armored, fully equipped Humvees.  
 
A voluntary unit, the Rough Riders represents the very best in Army training as each soldier is trained to assess and deal with any possible situation, including terrorist ambushes and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). This constant state of readiness is a result of their stateside training as well as in-theater instruction to create a multi-skilled, flexible soldier.