BAGHDAD, Iraq, April 22, 2003 — Soldiers with the 318th Psychological Operations Company, attached to the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), set out to Baghdad, Apr. 19 to conduct operations concerning the civilian population.

“The mission was to go out to different sites, talk about the curfew in effect and distribute radios to people who can communicate with the population,” said Sgt. 1st Class Duane McCrum, 318th PSYOP Co.

The team drove into marketplaces to spread the word and other locations where larger groups of people were present. Once there, they used a loud speaker mounted on top of their Humvee to convey information regarding the curfew.

“The curfew is in effect for the safety and security of the people,” McCrum said. “Only essential personnel such as police, firemen and other public safety officials are allowed to be out between the hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. as long as they are doing their job.” All other persons out in these hours will be detained, according to McCrum. The coalition forces will enforce the curfew at first, to be replaced later by local police, McCrum added.

When they came to a stop, people began to gather around the vehicle, and when the loudspeaker starting spouting words, the crowd grew more quickly.

On one stop in the city, some people came forward who were identified as potential key communicators. These people were given radios to receive instructions about what to do and what not to do. “It’s for their own safety,” McCrum said.

Along with the radios, the key communicators were given pamphlets that contained frequencies written in Arabic where they could receive information.

Soldiers also handed out leaflets containing information about the curfew. The people, especially the children didn’t seem to care what it was they were getting, only that they were getting something from an American soldier.

Within minutes, most of the leaflets had been distributed.

Though the 318th came back to base with many radios undistributed, they were still satisfied with the outcome of the mission.

“I think it was very successful,” said McCrum said. “We didn’t get to do exactly what the assigned mission was, but I think we did meet the intent of the mission, which was to get the word out.”

Many seemed to be curious about the curfew, but many others came to complain about issues facing the city community.

“One man came up to us and asked who would pay him if he were [not able] to go back to work,” McCrum said. “Another man told us that he worked for the government and didn’t know if there was a job for him to go back to.”