Operation Thunder Reaper benefits Mosul citizens

Photo By Capt. Richard Ybarra | 1st Sgt. Israel Alicea of Camden, N.J., assigned to Lightning Troop, 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, scans a street for threats during Operation Thunder Reaper, Mosul, Iraq, Dec 18. Operation Thunder Reaper, a route clearance operation, has cleared and repaired 5 kilometers of road for use by Mosul citizens.  

MOSUL, IRAQ

12.19.2007

Courtesy Story

115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Multi-National Division-North Public Affairs Office

MOSUL, Iraq – The citizens of Mosul have much to gain from the success of Operation Thunder Reaper, an operation designed to open Highway One, the major thoroughfare in western Mosul that has been closed due to improvised explosive device attacks on civilian and military traffic.

"Highway One is a four-lane expressway that represents the economic heart of western Mosul, said Maj. John Oliver Jr., operations officer for 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment. It's reopening will improve local and provincial commerce, thereby creating economic opportunities. The road will also improve security for the people of Mosul by offering Iraqi security forces an increased freedom of movement when required."

The ISF and coalition forces have been hard at work with Operation Thunder Reaper for five days. In that time they have cleared and repaired five kilometers of previously unusable road, including roads that support Highway One.

"Infrastructure such as Highway One are what enable major cities such as Mosul to thrive, al-Qaida has made every attempt to keep this unusable, said Oliver. By their actions, al-Qaida puts their version of the future for Iraq on display. The ISF and CF see a prosperous future for Mosul and Iraq. The success of Thunder Reaper is just one aspect of that future that can be seen today."

• Date Taken: 12.19.2007
• Date Posted: 12.19.2007 09:41
• Story ID: 14833
• Location: MOSUL, IQ