Story and photo by Pvt. Andrew Slovensky COB ADDER, Iraq – With the sun still low in the sky, Soldiers of 2nd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Task Force Steel Dragon, secure the structures of the excavated city of Ur, Dhi Qar province, Iraq.  This mission: to provide security for a tour of the ancient site.Although originally trained as a personal security detachment, these “Steel Dragons” have performed a variety of missions outside of the safety of Contingency Operating Base Adder since they deployed here in support of Operation New Dawn, in December 2010.The force is composed of Soldiers from different military jobs, said 2nd Lt. Christopher Molaro, a platoon leader with Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 2nd Bn. 82nd FA Regt. The platoon has completed more than 250 missions, including humanitarian and medical assistance, key leader engagements with local sheiks and Iraqi Security Forces, and counter indirect-fire missions.As part of their mission, they have delivered tons of flour, rice, beans, sugar, tea, and other items to local villages in need, said Molaro. In July, they uncovered a series of six daisy-chained explosively-formed projectiles, improvised explosive devices designed to pierce military armored vehicles.Despite reposturing of U.S. forces in Iraq, the unit stays sharp and doesn’t suffer from complacency, said Staff Sgt. James Bryan Moffat, a squad leader with the unit. “Until the last day, we are constantly trying to improve our position.”Moffat and Molaro agreed that their Soldiers have greatly developed while fulfilling a versatile role during the deployment.Molaro said the greatest benefit of his mission in Iraq is working with his soldiers as they built connections with their Iraqi partners. “Seeing them grow since the first day we got here.”