1-68 Cavalry and Iraqi Army Conduct Patrol

by: Pfc. Cassandra Groce, 133rd MPAD

MUQ

"Photo by: Pfc. Cassandra Groce, 133rd MPAD"

DADIYAH, Iraq - Iraqi Army Soldiers at Forward Operating Base Normandy are taking a lead role in the operations near here.

"Mostly they call us and say, 'Hey we have a cache site here we just need you guys to come along,' and that has mostly been my role with them," said Capt. Tyson Jewett, platoon leader from B Company, attached to C Company, with the 1-68th Cavalry.

Coalition Forces accompanying the Iraqi Army Soldiers here have been in a strictly supportive role.

"They usually use us with the Bradleys for support because a lot of times it is in the middle of the night," said Jewett. "It is very dangerous for them to drive around in their trucks at night because they are a lot more vulnerable."

The role the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division Soldiers have is paying off in tips, as well as the Iraqi Army's overall effectiveness.

"Their intel works a little better here on the ground because they live here," said Jewett. "They get tips on cache sites and IED makers, and they can go right to them because they know where they live."

Recently, on a mission coordinated by Jewett, the Iraqi Army accompanied Coalition Forces on an IED search.

"Photo by: Pfc. Cassandra Groce, 133rd MPAD"

"It was a show of force to show the people that we are not afraid to look anywhere," said Jewett. "The Iraqi Army will go anywhere and do anything as long as they have a reason to believe there are IEDs or trigger men in the area."

Iraqi Army Soldiers performed a sweep in an orchard near the base. All suspicious areas were dug up by the Iraqi Army and searched with a metal detector. The Soldiers were extremely thorough in their search and would not quit until the job was complete.

"We're starting to let the Iraqi Army take a bigger role in operations out of here," said Jewett. "That is why they have the humvees now."

Overall, the effectiveness of the Iraqi Army's operations is not only good for their overall performance, but it is also soothing to local civilians.

"They are doing a lot more joint patrols," said Jewett. "We try to get them out in front of the people so they can see that they are doing most of the work, and they are the ones in charge."

Anthony D Buchanan
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