Photo By Spc. Kirby Rider | Sgt. Bryan Lofton, a squad leader in Troop G, 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry...... read more read more
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By Pfc. Kirby Rider
4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division
BALAD RUZ, Iraq – Coalition force Soldiers recently worked with Iraqi army soldiers to coordinate and execute a mission near Balad Ruz, Iraq, Feb. 17.
Iraqi army soldiers from 4th Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division stationed at Turki Patrol Base were helped by Soldiers from Troop G, 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, to conduct a reconnaissance mission to gather intelligence about the area and people wanted for questioning.
"We are looking for terrorist weapon caches, people who were kidnapped and suicide vests," said Capt. Robert Green, Grim Troop commanding officer. "Pretty much anything the terrorists can use. We are trying to make the country safer..."
Even though the mission began on the 17th, coordination began on Feb. 16, when Soldiers from Grim Troop met with commanders of 4/3/1/5 IA Division to talk about problem areas and what CF could do to help.
The Iraqi army commanders were grateful for Grim Troop's request to help and gladly told them which towns they had received mortar and small-arms attacks from. The leaders sat down and discussed what equipment was available and what CF would need to provide.
The IA's vehicles were in need of repair after hitting multiple IEDs the previous week on the roadways leading into the town. The CF officer agreed to transport the Iraqi army soldiers to and from the town, as well as take the damaged vehicles back to the combat outpost later in the week.
When the Soldiers returned to Forward Operating Base Caldwell, they were released to prepare for the next morning's operation which included extensive pre-combat inspections, where non-commissioned officers checked to ensure equipment is working properly and the lower-enlisted Soldiers have the proper gear, and preparing the vehicles for the mission ahead of them.
After the equipment was packed, the Soldiers went back to their tents to rest. The following afternoon the Soldiers convoyed to where they met Iraqi army soldiers and traveled into the town to capture or kill any AQI.
When the Soldiers got into the town that afternoon and began searching, they found several tunnels in the walls of the canals surrounding the area. The tunnels were thought to hide weapon caches and possibly could act as fighting positions. The Soldiers also found three AK-47 magazines buried in a barn. The legal limit for Iraqi civilians is one AK-47 assault rifle and one magazine per male adult in the household.
When homeowners were questioned about AQI operatives and weapon caches in the area, most were very helpful and didn't interfere with the Soldiers searching their property.
"Most of the people don't mind us being there," said 1st Lt. Michael Medders, executive officer for Grim Troop. "This is the fifth year of the war and they have gotten accustomed to us being here."
After all of the houses were searched and most of the citizens were questioned the Soldiers were able to recover ammunition and weapon magazines that could be used against Iraqi army or coalition forces, gain valuable information on caches and AQI safe houses, and the people of the town were able to express their concerns to the Iraqi army about water treatment problems and the short supply of electricity and fuel.
| Date Taken: | 02.25.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 02.25.2008 00:33 |
| Story ID: | 16664 |
| Location: | BALAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 938 |
| Downloads: | 880 |
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