Wolfhounds, Iraqi National Police search for illegal weapons

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Jb Jaso | Sgt. Ahki Saufoi, a Pago Pago, Samoa, native, receives orders from 1st Lt. Tommy Ryan, a Seminole, Fla., native, at the beginning of Operation Gunslinger Bonzai XXVI, a mission focused at identifying and removing illegal weapons caches in the Hussaniyah town of the Istaqlal Qada on Dec. 22. Saufoi is an infantry team leader, and Ryan is an infantry platoon leader. Both are assigned to Company A, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment "Wolfhounds," 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team "Warrior," 25th Infantry Division, attached to 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division - Baghdad.  

IRAQ

12.24.2008

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Jb Jaso 

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

By Staff Sgt. JB Jaso III
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

ISTAQLAL, Iraq – Soldiers from Company A, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment "Wolfhounds," 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team "Warrior," 25th Infantry Division, attached to 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div., Multi-National Division – Baghdad, and members of the 2nd Brigade, 1st Iraqi National Police Division, weathered the high winds and cold winter temperatures in search of illegal weapons caches Dec. 22 during Operation Gunslinger Bonzai XXVI.

The search led the combined forces to the Hussaniyah town of the Istaqlal Qada, where they searched the open fields, empty compounds and historic cache locations for any signs of illegal weapons.

In the past, the Wolfhounds have found mortar rounds, improvised-explosive device making material and weapons in the area that could've been used to harm Iraqi security forces, civilians and coalition forces.

Even though the Wolfhounds didn't find any weapons this day, the combined operation was a giant step toward continued security in Iraq, said 1st Lt. Tommy Ryan, a native of Seminole, Fla., who serves as a platoon leader.

"They were very knowledgeable and offered lots of advice," said Ryan, in reference to the NPs who assisted in the operation. "We were able to gather intelligence that was crucial to understanding a high-value individual in our area of operations."

The mission served to strengthen the bonds of the combined team for future operations.

"All patrols are now combined," said Capt. Timothy Hall, the battalion's assistant operations officer, who is a native of Fairfax Station, Va., in talking about the frequency of patrols the Wolfhounds are conducting with the Iraqi security forces. "We are ensuring that the conditions are set for the ISF to assume full responsibility of the area's security."

However, noted Ryan, working together is nothing new for the MND-B Soldiers.

"We have been conducting combined operations with the Iraqi security forces since day one," Ryan stated. "The practice hasn't change."

• Date Taken: 12.24.2008
• Date Posted: 12.24.2008 08:56
• Story ID: 28100
• Location: IQ