Early Morning Raid

Photo By Sgt. Waine Haley | Capt. Michael Gruber, battle captain of Company E, 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, gives the 133rd MPAD's journalist an After Action Review of the early morning raids upon arrival back at the FOB.  

TIKRIT, IRAQ

11.18.2005

Courtesy Story

133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

By Spc. Waine D. Haley
133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

TIKRIT, Iraq (November 10, 2005) - Operation Able Sumter commenced in the early morning hours in Al Hamara using Coalition Forces in a joint effort with Iraqi Security Forces to locate and detain suspected improvised explosive device cell members.

During the raids, approximately 90 Coalition Soldiers, 40 ISF troops and multiple contractors conducted three simultaneous raids. Three platoons, made up of two Coalition platoons and one Iraqi platoon, captured one suspected IED cell leader and another detainee.

This was the first "raid" mission for Company E, 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment since they took over in this sector 10 days ago. However, the Iraqi army has been conducting this kind of mission in this sector for about six months.

"A small group of U.S. troops are imbedded in the Iraqi's platoon for reporting purposes," said Capt. Michael Gruber, battle captain, "IAs (Iraqi Army Soldiers) work parallel with their American counterparts, they have their own piece of the pie. They have their own training, their own planning, their own mission to complete." The mission was considered a success with the capture of the suspected cell leader of a July 8 vehicle born improvised explosive device.

"It doesn't necessarily stop attacks in the area but it will make them reset their planning phase and/or their operations," said Gruber, "It's a big deal for us. It was a full company operation with multiple objectives simultaneously executed using two U.S. Army platoons and one IA Platoon."

On the day before the operation three IED were set off in the Forward Operating Base Remagen sector. One person received minor injuries to the face and there was some damage to the vehicle. The other two IEDs caused no damage or injuries. Before this incidences there hadn't been an IED attack in the area since Nov 3.

"One of the attacks targeted Iraqi Police, one targeted a main supply route sweep and one targeted a combat logistical patrol," Gruber said.

The raid missions will continue and are anticipated to escalate with the
up-coming elections, said Gruber.

• Date Taken: 11.18.2005
• Date Posted: 11.18.2005 16:53
• Story ID: 3796
• Location: TIKRIT, IQ