Courtesy Photo | A work detail of Iraqi army soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 23rd Brigade, 17th IA...... read more read more
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By Staff Sgt. Scott Wolfe
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division
BAGHDAD, Iraq – It was still dark when the Soldiers of Company B, 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 63rd Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad left Camp Striker, Dec. 27.
Their Humvees were faint outlines and red tail lights as they drove through the countryside on their way to al Betra, a small town on the west side of the Euphrates and Baghdad.
The company was on a combined combat operation with Iraqi army soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 23rd Brigade, 17th IA Division, to apprehend two suspected criminals high on the Iron Brigade's priority list who were believed to be in the area.
The IA and Soldiers of Company B "Bounty Hunters," would provide an outer perimeter to prevent suspected criminals from escaping the door-to-door search that would ensue when the operation commenced.
Other Soldiers from the Bounty Hunters would serve as advisors for the Iraqi platoons conducting the searches.
Capt. Cory Roberts, a native of Clyde, Texas, the company commander, was on hand for the combined operation and observed how the IA and his unit cooperated together.
Later in the day, the Iraqi police beefed up the established outer security cordon with additional armed personnel. Although the search for the fugitives came up dry, the operation was still a success.
During the operations, an informant led a search party to an open pit, which contained 26 bags of artillery propellant and five AK-47 rifles. All in all, 650 pounds of explosives were captured.
"He led us right to it," said 1st Lt. George Schwartz, a platoon leader and native of Winona, Minn., adding that he was surprised at how quickly they found the cache. "It was buried under about two feet of dirt and nothing else. We never would have found it if not for him."
Roberts told his platoon leaders and sergeants during a review of the day's activities.
"Six hundred fifty pounds of [explosives] is not a total bust," he added, as he told his troops it was just a matter of time until the fugitives were caught.
Roberts also pointed out that the Bounty Hunters had learned more about the capabilities of their IA counterparts and how the company could better plan future combined operations after this experience.
Combined missions such as this one highlight the coordination and trust between Iraqi security and coalition forces. As the CF has continues to hand the reins over to the Iraqi army, it has gained a partner in the battle against al-Qaida in Iraq and other criminal elements in Iraq.
| Date Taken: | 12.30.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 12.30.2008 03:10 |
| Story ID: | 28266 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 161 |
| Downloads: | 151 |
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