Perspective: Squadron Commander -- 'Stop attacking, and we'll do everything in our power to get you water and electricity'

An evening patrol in Salman Pak, about 15 miles from Baghdad

BAGHDAD — If U.S. troops can travel a key road between Baghdad and the city of Salman Pak unbothered for two full weeks, coalition forces will pull out all the stops to get the region much-needed basic aid.

That was the deal Lt. Col. Jimmy Phillips, commander of the 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, offered a large gathering of Iraqi community leaders Saturday.

“I cannot help fix the water and electricity if my people are getting shot at and killed,” Phillips told the assembly. “If we can go for two whole weeks without getting blown up, or any firefights, I will do everything in my power to start flowing aid to this area.”

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