Coalition Force COP program solidifying trust in Mosul

Photo By Capt. Richard Ybarra | Sgt. Timothy Puckett of 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, prepares to exit a paint shop, at the close of a raid in east Mosul.  

MOSUL, IRAQ

03.27.2008

Courtesy Story

115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

By Multi-National Division – North Public Affairs Office

MOSUL, Iraq - Coalition forces conducted a human intelligence driven raid in eastern Mosul based on information gained from presence patrols out of Combat Outpost Rock in east Mosul. The COPs allow soldiers to live in the city and provides constant contact with Iraqi citizens and fosters trust.

"The proximity of the COP allowed us to recon the area...local citizens we interviewed said that the (target) area was a bad area," said 1st Lt. Donald Maloy of Santa Fe, N.M., a platoon leader for Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment. "When we reconned again, we realized it was a perfect place to make VBIEDs (vehicle-born improvised explosive device)."

Although this particular raid did not net coalition forces any significant finds, the raid typifies actions that represent a gradual shift in operations which is occurring in Mosul; human intelligence driven raids based on information coming from Iraqi citizens.

"At first I don't think some of the citizens quite knew what to expect, but now they are starting to react very well, our patrols go into the market dismounted," said Major Mike Edwards, executive officer of 1-8 Inf. Regt., "There is a lot of interaction between the people and the troops."

This contact between Soldiers and citizens is building confidence in the people.

"The people have been intimidated for so long, but they see when we build the COPs that we are here for more than an overnight patrol," said Edwards, "This leads to tips which we can use to target the enemy in that specific area."

• Date Taken: 03.27.2008
• Date Posted: 03.27.2008 11:37
• Story ID: 17808
• Location: MOSUL, IQ