Change of plans

Photo By Staff Sgt. Anthony White | A convoy from the 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division prepares to go on a route reconnaissance outside of Hawijah Dec. 20.  

12.20.2006

Story by Staff Sgt. Anthony White 

5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment   

By Sgt. Michael Tuttle
5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

HAWIJAH, Iraq – A convoy of 25th Infantry Division Soldiers set out from Forward Operating Base McHenry at the crack of dawn Wednesday to help nab a suspected insurgent responsible for organizing multiple improvised explosive device attacks on Coalition Forces outside of Hawijah.

Plans changed however, after an IED hit one of the vehicles in their convoy. While no one was hurt and minimal damage was done to the vehicle, the D Company, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment convoy, which included Explosive Ordnance Disposal personnel, temporarily stopped to secure the area and investigate the scene.

A young adult male observed walking near the scene shortly after the IED went off was stopped and questioned. He was detained shortly after according to Capt. Roland Keller, commander, Company D.

The convoy regrouped and moved on, but their mission turned into a route reconnaissance to gather information that may prove useful for future operations.

"One of our guys spotted an IED further along and our EOD element was able to investigate," Keller said.

Before detonating the IED, the procedures used to construct and plant it were identified and recorded. This information will be forwarded to the unit that conducts regular operations in that area, Keller said.

"We weren't able to go ahead with our primary goal," said 1st Lt. Jonathon Stark, platoon leader. "We did push through to maximize our effort and time on the road. The information we attained today can be used to hopefully combat IED emplacers in the future."

• Date Taken: 12.20.2006
• Date Posted: 12.20.2006 09:19
• Story ID: 8636