Combined operations make country safer

Iraqi and Coalition Forces are continuing efforts to defeat terrorists and insurgents while Iraqi units increase the number of independently-planned and executed security operations.

In Hawijah, Bastogne Soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division killed one insurgent and wounded another following an attack April 12.

Soldiers were passing through a traffic control point during a combat patrol when insurgents fired three rocket-propelled grenades at them. The Soldiers spotted two insurgents in a pick-up truck, returned fire and pursued the vehicle into a village.

On the ground, OH-58 helicopter crews secured the area from above while Soldiers searched for the truck. They found the truck with the body of one insurgent and a blood trail from the other insurgent. The wounded insurgent escaped.

In another incident near Hawijah the same day, Soldiers spotted a bomber emplacing an improvised explosive device along a road. The Soldiers watched the man leave the scene on a blue motorcycle to meet with a second man. Both attempted to hide among a herd of sheep but fled when Coalition Forces arrived.

The Soldiers confiscated a transmission device and camcorder and tracked and detained the two suspects. An explosive ordnance disposal unit was called to the scene and found a secondary bomb placed on the road nearby.

The Soldiers discovered two more individuals with IED-making materials. All four suspects were detained for questioning.

Iraqi Soldiers are increasingly taking the lead in operations in Haswah and Iskandariyah, helping to stabilize the northern Babil province.

Soldiers from the 8th Iraqi Army Division recently led Operation Cobra Strike with Soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division. It was the first mission solely planned by these Iraqi Soldiers.

Operation Cobra Strike was launched to locate the suspected leader and the financier of a local terrorist cell. The suspected terrorists were implicated in murders, kidnappings and the emplacement of roadside-bombs throughout Haswah and Iskandariyah.

Led by Capt. Hazem, Commander, 4th Company, 8th Iraqi Army Division, Iraqi leadership planned the operation. Coalition Forces acted as advisors and also set up blocking positions on the outer cordon of the objectives.

"It was good to actually plan an entire mission without the help of others," said Hazem. "Although the Cobras (from 4th ID) are our brothers, my men needed to do something like this to prove to everyone that we are capable of defending our region."

The Cobra Soldiers have conducted combined missions with their Iraqi counterparts, the Sabers, since arriving in theater in early December.

"It is critical that they are seen as a credible fighting force in the region," said Capt. Colin Brooks, a 4th ID company commander. "We are approaching the day very soon that they take control of the area's battle space and have minimal help from Coalition Forces."

Effective communication and solid planning resulted in the capture of the cell leader. The financier was not at home during the operation.

"Our goal is to work ourselves out of a job in the Haswah and Iskandariyah area," Brooks said. "We are almost there."

"I couldn't be any more proud of the way my men have performed," added Hazem. "Terrorists are not welcome in Iraq. If they want to test us, they will end up in jail like the man we captured this night."

Source: Multi-National Force-Iraq

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