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Operation Cowpens

Courtesy Photo | JABOURI PENINSULA, Iraq (March 30, 2006) -- Sgt. Joel Sweeney, Company A, 1st...... read more read more

AL DALUIYAH, IRAQ

04.14.2006

Story by Staff Sgt. Miles Elder

133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Spc. Lee Elder
133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

AL DALUIYAH, Iraq (March 31, 2006) " An orchard here yielded U.S. and Iraqi forces a plentiful crop of weaponry and munitions as joint operations continued on the Jabouri Peninsula.

Soldiers from Company A, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment (Mechanized), 4th Infantry Division continued their patrols after the end of Operation Cowpens, a two-week operation. Each day, they continue to find an array of insurgent weapons, ammunition and explosives.

"We're getting rid of all this stuff," said 1st Lt. Joseph Mickley, 3rd Platoon leader, Company A, who hails from Gettysburg, Pa. "We've never had finds this large before."

On this day, Mickley's platoon, which is part of 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, Task Force Band of Brothers, is combining its efforts with Iraqi army elements from 1-3/4 Infantry. It's been a rewarding partnership so far.

Company A - dubbed "The Rock Company" " has also utilized local Iraqi Police in its efforts, said Capt. Timothy Knoth, the company's commander. The forces are a blend of Iraq's Sunni, Shiite and Kurd factions.

"It's been a real melting pot of security forces," said Knoth, who grew up Novi, Mich. "We are trying to force people to work together who often might not want to."

"They've been very helpful," Mickley said. "They're like bloodhounds out here.

"They know this terrain and they know where this stuff is hidden."

Soldiers quickly found 200 feet of detonation cord. Later, they found a foot-long rocket buried along with a bag full of armor-piercing rounds and six mortar rounds encased in plastic.

Most of the items found were in plastic barrels. They were buried just a few inches below ground beneath the orchard's row of trees.

Soldiers used metal detectors and probing polls to locate the items. They worked well with their Iraqi counterparts to find weapons that could pose a common threat to both armies.

"They were going to use this stuff against us," Mickley said. "It's better that we find it and get it out of here."

A tip that was later confirmed by overhead surveillance led the Fort Carson, Colo., Soldiers to begin their search near an area soccer field. The field was being used by insurgents for not only recreation, but also to hide caches of weapons as well.

On March 17, Soldiers made a huge find. Among items found on the first day were:

30 pounds of TNT;

28 82mm mortar rounds;

15 cases of 14.5 mm rounds; and

14 (57mm and 68mm rockets).

"The whole scope of the operation expanded," said Company A 1st Sgt. David Kozak from Akron, Ohio. "It went from a platoon operation, to a company operation and finally to a battalion operation."

The battalion action - dubbed "Operation Cowpens" " kicked off with an air assault conducted by two Company A platoons. A more thorough search of the grounds in and around the soccer field ensued.

During the course of the operation, Soldiers changed their patrolling scheme. Instead of the standard eight-hour patrols, two mounted platoons spent two to three days on site conducting searches.

"It's allowed us to stay around and continue the search," Kozak said. "Now, we don't have to fight our way in each day and then go back.

"It has really kept the bad guys off balance."

Patrols are staggered in times and duration to keep enemy forces guessing. Soldiers from Forward Operating Base McKenzie often go out on a few hours" notice so that no set pattern is established.

The stepped-up patrols have also been coupled with an outreach program to local Iraqis. It has improved relations between Coalition forces and the area population.

"In the past, every time we showed up, there was shooting," Kozak said. "Our message is, "Stop shooting at us and see what we can do for you.""

The finds have increased with information provided from these improved relationships with local citizens. The results are impressive.

Coalition forces have captured two dozen rifles, more than 10,000 rounds of ammunition and nearly three dozen rocket-propelled grenade launchers. Artillery and mortar rounds have also been plenty in the recovered items.

Soldiers on the scene estimated that enough explosive material has been found, along detonation cord and signaling devices, to rig up more than 300 improvised explosive devices. These roadside bombs have been an ongoing challenge to Soldiers in Bradley- Fighting Vehicles and in Hummers.

"We've put a stop to a lot of the IED making," said Sgt. Daniel Reinhardt, a team leader from Broadview, Mont. "The more we're out here, the more we stuff we bring out, the less the bad guys are here.

"We're keeping them off their home turf and that is a good thing."

In addition, Coalition forces have killed 10 insurgents during action surrounding the operation. The latest attack on April 1 resulted in the deaths of three insurgents who were trying to attack a mounted platoon with anti-tank grenades.

An added benefit to the operation has been the increased role of the Iraqi army. They are now at the forefront of the effort to deprive insurgents of their deadly arms.

"Initially, U.S. forces were finding most of the stuff," Kozak said. "Now, it has evolved into more an Iraqi Army operation.

"Our role now is largely pulling security for the search teams. It's good to see they are taking over in providing security for this area."

NEWS INFO

Date Taken:	04.14.2006
Date Posted:	04.14.2006 13:28
Story ID:	6040
Location:	AL DALUIYAH, IQ

Web Views:	296
Downloads:	17

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