BAGHDAD — Multi-National-Division – Baghdad Soldiers, along with their Iraqi Security Forces partners, helped improve security in the southern portion of the Sadr City district of Baghdad during a barrier emplacement mission May 3.

During the shift, the Soldiers from Company A, 64th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, transported more than 90 concrete barriers so that engineers from other units could clean the areas and emplace the barriers that will separate one Sadr City neighborhood from another, said Sgt. 1st Class Shaun Prior, a native of Pittsfield, Mass., who serves as the transportation platoon sergeant with the 64th BSB.

The emplacement of these barriers will help improve the living conditions of the residents there and is aimed to keep criminals operating the special groups in Sadr City from crossing to this area as well as minimizing the planting of improvised-explosive devices, mortar attacks and rockets used by special groups, said Prior.

“Hopefully it makes the Iraqi people safer,” said Prior.

On the other hand, as a sign of improvement and collaboration, the Iraqi Army is assisting in this operation by transporting barriers and by bringing them to the barrier yard, said Prior.

“This was a kind of the new things for us. I have watched them get out there; they hook up the chains; they work with the civilian crane operators and put the barriers in place and all that good stuff. I think is really helping them in many different ways,” said Prior.

The barrier mission in the area has shown an improvement in the security for the citizens living in the surrounding areas.

“I see people are more active now; they are getting out of their houses. This is the first time I’ve seen kids outside playing soccer,” said Sgt. Damon Chatterton, a native of Quincy, Ill., and who serves as a driver with Company A, 64th BSB.

Prior said he feels the Soldiers are merely demonstrating their true professionalism.

“Soldiers did a great job,” he said. “Their motivation is there, and they want to continue doing the mission. They are doing an outstanding job.

The Soldiers drive is awesome – they do a great job.”