(c) Roger Leo

Soldiers of the Mortar Platoon, Dawg/HHC Co., 1-8 Cav, eat a late meal after getting in at 4:15 a.m. Friday from a patrol that began at 9 p.m. the evening before. The Mortars were introducing soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Division to the southeastern section of Baghdad that is their patrol sector. The 3rd ID is taking over from 1st Cav, which is preparing to head home after its one-year deployment. Much of the night was spent providing security as Army engineers set up concrete barriers for several checkpoints along area roads. They missed midnight chow, but found made-up cafeteria plates of spaghetti and chicken waiting when they returned to their barracks.