News From the Iraqi Theater, Part X
101st Airborne Division, 4th Infantry Division Soldiers Detain Suspected Terrorists
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Multi-National Division-Baghdad’s 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, detained a suspected terrorist Feb. 2 south of Baghdad. Acting on a tip from a local national, a patrol searched the suspect’s house and found a mortar sight and possible bomb-making materials.
In a separate incident, 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division Soldiers detained two suspects in connection with the detonation of two roadside bombs southeast of Baghdad Feb. 2. The suspects had spotting scopes and bomb-initiating timers in their possession.
We’ve been seeing this for awhile but it’s nice to see that the locals are still turning on the terrorists.
Coalition, Iraqi Forces Seize Munitions Cache
HABBANIYAH, Iraq – On Feb. 5, Iraqi and U.S. Soldiers with 2nd Brigade Combat Team (28th Infantry Division) seized munitions caches buried along the southern banks of the Euphrates River in Bidimnah, Iraq. The objective of the operation, conducted by the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 1st Iraqi Army Division and U.S. Soldiers with Task Force Panther 1-110th Infantry, was to disrupt the insurgents’ logistics base to limit their ability to emplace improvised explosive devices and conduct attacks along the main supply routes and within the surrounding communities.
Among the items recovered were 41 improvised explosive device remote detonators, five mortar tube systems, three rocket launcher systems, 34 high explosive projectiles, 35 rockets, 95 fuses/primers and assorted IED-making materials. Additionally, various types of insurgent propaganda were found in the caches to include 75 propaganda cassette tapes and video recording devices. Iraqi Army and TF Panther Soldiers were also attacked with a combination of small arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire while extracting the weapons cache, but quickly defeated the insurgent attack.
“This mission served as an excellent opportunity to further the Iraqi Army’s know-how on proper handling and processing of munitions caches,” said Lt. Col. Loris Lepri, TF Panther battalion commander. “Many times these caches are booby-trapped. Searching for mines and other dangers associated with cache sweeps is first and foremost. “The Iraqi Soldiers performed courageously, employing the proper search techniques while maintaining security throughout the long mission. Mission success is the single most important element in any Army’s doctrine.”
In the runup to the war and even in the first days after Saddam fell, the word was that Saddam had stashed weapons and munitions all over Iraq as a failsafe if Iraq fell. Bit by bit, it sounds like the Iraqi and Coalition militaries are cleaning up those stockpiles. It can’t happen too soon, either.
Coalition,Iraqi Army and CF Discover Multiple Roadside Bombs
ISKANDARIYAH, JURF-El SAKER, Iraq — Iraqi army and Coalition Forces Soldiers discovered three separate roadside bombs without incident in the last 24 hours. Iraqi army soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 4th Brigade, 8th Iraqi Army Division, along with Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, found the first roadside bomb near Iskandariyah. The roadside bomb consisted of four 82 mm rounds, one 155 mm round and three rockets. The second roadside bomb, discovered near the same area, consisted of four 82 mm rounds, one 155 mm round, three rockets and 17 75 mm rounds.
An Iraqi explosive ordnance disposal team dismantled both roadside bombs and transported the materials to a local Iraqi police station for detonation. Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 2nd BCT, along with Iraqi Army soldiers from 1st Bn., 4th Bde., 8th IA Div., discovered a third roadside bomb in Jurf-El Saker. The roadside bomb was made up of two 155 mm rounds, two fuel cans, one 100 mm round, one 120 mm round, one 130 mm round, one nine-volt battery and blasting caps. A U.S. EOD team conducted a controlled detonated at the site.
KIRKUK, Iraq – Approximately 100 Iraqi Army soldiers conducted a raid through Safra village today with support from Soldiers from Company D, 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division.
The Iraqi Army soldiers searched over 45 structures while Soldiers from Company D provided outer cordon security and served as tactical advisors throughout the operation. It was a combined effort to detain possible insurgents and disrupt terrorist and insurgent activity. The Iraqi Soldiers detained a target known to be linked to the bombings of the oil pipeline, and talked to the village Muktar (religious leader) regarding further questioning for wanted possible insurgents.
“This operation was Iraqi Army planned, Iraqi Army lead, and is definitely the direction they need to be,” commented Capt. Paul Witkowski, Commanding Officer for Company D.
Although this mission was successfully planned and completed by Iraqi Army soldiers, it is not the final step for them. According to Witkowski, there will be more in the future. “Missions like this allow them to get more experience under their belt, and more comfortable with what to do placing us in a more over watching and assistance role,” Witkowski confidently said. “That’s where we want to be.”
Cross-post at LetFreedomRing