Good News From Iraq

Release A060416a

Five terrorists killed in Yusifiyah, five detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – At approximately 2:15 a.m. April 16, Coalition forces raided a safe house in Yusifiyah, killing five terrorists and detaining five while searching for a wanted al Qaeda associate. Upon arrival at the identified hideout the troops received small arms fire, immediately returned fire, assaulted the building and ultimately neutralized the threat.

During the assault, five terrorists, three of them wearing suicide vests, were killed; five others, one of whom was wounded, were detained. Two of the suicide bombers were killed before either could detonate his vest, and the third detonated his body bomb killing only himself and injuring no one else.

After the terrorists initiated hostilities, one woman died, and three women and one child were injured. The wounded females and child were medically evacuated to the 10th CSH in Baghdad. All four were ambulatory.

Coalition forces confirmed that one of the five detained was the wanted al Qaeda terrorist for whom the troops were searching. The terrorist, whose name is currently being withheld, was involved in the planning and execution of improvised explosive device attacks and allegedly was associated with al Qaeda foreign fighter operations. The other four suspects are being assessed for knowledge of and involvement in terrorist activity.

The troops found four AK-47s, one pistol, several grenades and suicide vests (the three being worn) at the safe house. Explosives ordnance experts detonated the two remaining vests on-site. Most grenades were used by the enemy, and one grenade was found with the pin pulled, but not yet expended, in the hand of a dead terrorist.

Five Coalition members were injured during the raid, three of whom have already been returned to duty. The other two are in good condition and are expected to be returned to duty shortly.

Release A060416b

101st Abn. Div. medics share knowledge

BAGHDAD, Iraq – The 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division surgeon section conducted Tactical Combat Casualty Care and Eagle First Responder training April 5-6 at Camp Striker in southern Baghdad.

The course was designed to train the medics of 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, on the latest medical standards to further improve their success rates in treating Soldiers.

Three medics, Sgt. Fritz Alokoa, Sgt. Antoine Jordan and Sgt. Carl Lawrence, all with 1st Bn., 22nd Inf. Regt., came to Camp Striker for a two-day orientation of TC3 and EFR techniques under the tutelage of Sgt. 1st Class Joel Thomas, surgeon noncommissioned officer-in-charge, 2nd BCT, 101st Abn. Div.

“We are here to change the mindset and the operational thinking of medics based on the TC3 principals,” said Thomas. “The end result is better medics and improved combat care.”

The Rascon School for Combat Medicine at Fort Campbell, Ky., developed the TC3 program. The school’s primary objective is teaching combat medics new medical tactics, techniques and procedures learned from the Vietnam War through Operation Iraqi Freedom III. The TC3 course is designed to increase the combat medics’ success rates as well as their efficiency.

The Eagle First Responder course is an improved version of the Combat Lifesaver Course and based on the TC3 guidelines.

Thomas and Staff Sgt. Cory Heimark spent two days providing an orientation of TC3 and EFR to the medics. The program focused on the use of the new combat action tourniquet, needle decompression and the emergency bandage, which provides first responders improved techniques in providing treatment to an injured Soldier.

Once trained, the medics will return to their units and train other medics on how to use the new skills and concepts they learned and start an EFR program in their units.

“This training is exactly what we needed,” said Lawrence, at the conclusion of the second day of training.

“Some of these skills are currently taught to Soldiers in basic training,” added Thomas, “but we must bring these improved first-aid standards to all Soldiers.”

Release A060416c

2nd Tank Brigade, 9th IA Division hosts Sheik meeting

CAMP TAJI, Iraq – The 2nd Tank Brigade, 9th Iraqi Army Division, along with 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, hosted a sheik meeting in Saab al Bour north of Baghdad 11 April.

Nineteen Iraqis represented the local communities at the meeting, with 10 Sunni and five Shia leaders present to meet with two Iraqi army officers, two Iraqi police officers and Lt. Col. Dave Thompson, commander, 7th Sqdn., 10th Cav. Regt.

The purpose of the sheik meeting was to establish communication links with influential leaders in and around Saab al Bour and discuss concerns regarding the area. The communication links will address sectarian tension in the area and provide the Iraqi army leadership an opportunity to take the lead in security issues.

“This is good. This is the first time we met each other,” said Sheik Ali Mohammed, a Sunni leader. “We hear each other’s problems. We sit here and talk to each other and work things out.”

Many topics were discussed. The prominent concerns raised were security, upgrading electrical power and building a medical clinic.

The leaders, both secular and religious, emphasized the unifying force of Islam and downplayed the differences between Sunni and Shia. The sect leaders came to an understanding that they will not be aggressive against each other and they will not let the terrorists come between them. The leaders said they understood the prohibition on having weapons outside the home as well as the daily curfew requirements.

The leaders also developed a consensus that Saab al Bour must have a voice in the government. Currently, Saab al Bour does not have a Qada (city council). They agreed to form a nucleus of a city council and continue to meet twice a month.

The Iraqi army representatives and Thompson announced plans to improve the electrical delivery to the area and provide security for the electrical workers as well as other infrastructure improvement projects.

“This was a good meeting today,” said Col. Nader Abu Mohammed, deputy commander, 2nd Tank Bde., 9th IA Div. “All the big guys from this area met to discuss issues. They want us to help them build this area (with security) as improvements are made to the electrical power system, the medical clinic and the government.”

Lt. Col. Ali Asad, the Iraqi Police Chief, promoted a recruitment campaign during the summit. Recruits are needed to increase the capability to conduct law enforcement duties in the city in order to maintain a safe and secure environment.

“What we do here, we can’t do without the citizens of Saab al Bour,” said Thompson. “Your people are friendly and work with us. Together, you can form a strong council.

“Saab al Bour is an important town. This town could be the model for the rest of Iraq.”

Release A060416d

Iraqi Army takes control during historical ceremony

BALAD, Iraq – Iraqi Soldiers assumed control of part of Salah al Din Province from 1-8 Combined Arms Battalion in a Transfer of Authority ceremony at an Iraqi Army outpost near Balad April 15.

The 3rd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 4th Iraqi Army Division is assuming control of an area of responsibility that encompasses Balad, Al Duluyah and Yethrib, as well as the smaller villages surrounding these cities.

“We’re not pulling out of here right away; we’re out here to be by their sides,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Daniel Dailey, command sergeant major, 1-8 CAB, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Task Force Band of Brothers. “But, (to) put them in the lead and set them up front so the people notice that they’re out front, out leading, (that) they care about their people.”

With an Iraqi face on the forces that provide security it has allowed the joint force to improve security not just for the Soldiers but for the Iraqi people who call this region northwest of Baghdad home.

“This battalion could not conduct this operation without the cooperation from all the citizens in the area,” said Lt. Col. Hamed, commander, 3rd Bn., 1st Bde., 4th Div. “By this cooperation we are creating a safer environment for all Iraqis.”

The cooperation of the citizens, as well as the cooperation with coalition forces, has allowed the 3rd Battalion to be successful in providing security in this region as well as ridding it of insurgents.

“The battalion has conducted many operations to capture insurgents,” said Col. Shojaa, the 1st Brigade, 4th Iraqi Army Division commander. “During this operation, we have found numerous amounts of weapons, IED materials and we have captured many terrorists. Our battalion also conducted security operations during the elections.”

The accomplishments of this battalion are helping secure Iraq as the country is stabilizing its government.

“Their efforts in fighting the terrorists that threaten the citizens of Iraq have not gone unnoticed and their discipline, training and dedication are setting a tremendous example for their fellow Soldiers,” said Col. Brian D. Jones, commander, 3rd HBCT, 4th ID. “It will be an honor for me to stand on the same field as these brave Soldiers.”

The 3rd Battalion played an instrumental role in the successes enjoyed during Operation Cowpens – a month-long operation on the Jabouri Peninsula that yielded numerous caches and seriously hampered the insurgent efforts to create chaos.

“I believe that doing (Cowpens) jointly was a great factor (in transferring authority of this region to the battalion),” Dailey said. “The people saw that their people were there. I don’t think it could have been done without the Iraqi army help.”

The 3rd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 4th Iraqi Army Division was established in Dec. 2003 and was formerly known as the 203rd Iraqi National Guard Battalion prior to its current designation.

Release A060416e

Two terrorists killed in Kirkuk

TIKRIT, Iraq – Two men emplacing improvised explosive devices were killed just south of Hawijah, in the Kirkuk province April 16 by Soldiers from 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division.

The men were spotted emplacing an IED and two OH-58D Kiowa helicopters engaged the men, killing both.

Ground troops from 1st BCT found the IED after the attack and destroyed it.

Release A060416f

Tarmiya Qada conducts ground breaking ceremony

CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Members of the Tarmiya Qada (city council) conducted a short ceremony to mark the ground-breaking of a new wing for the Tarmiya medical clinic north of Baghdad April 12.

Eight Qada members watched a front-end loader break ground on the project to add a new operating room and a birthing room to the Tarmiya medical clinic.

The project, valued at $200,000, is scheduled for completion Sept. 1, said Maj. Herb Joliat, civil military officer, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. A local construction company was awarded the contract to build the new wing, which means the money will remain in the local area to boost the economy and provide local citizens work.

“Great things are happening here! I want to improve the city,” said Sheik Saeed Jassim, the Qada leader. “I want these projects to get started so the city can prosper.

“The people are now happier with the security situation. What’s next is making the medical center bigger,” he continued. “We’ll add an operating room and a birthing room. We are also building roads in addition to other projects for the city.”

Release A060416g

Caches from Operation Cowpens tallied

JABOURI PENINSULA, Iraq – Operation Cowpens concluded maneuvers on the Jabouri Peninsula April 14 after nearly a month of discovering caches and hampering insurgent efforts in the area.

The joint operation included the 1-8 Combined Arms Battalion as well as the Iraqi army’s 3rd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 4th Division and 1st Bn., 3rd Bde., 4th Div.

“The people saw that their people were there,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Daniel Dailey, command sergeant major, 1-8 CAB, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Task Force Band of Brothers. “I don’t think it could have been done without the Iraqi army help.”

The month-long operation included an air insertion and a ground assault to achieve a foothold on the peninsula. Once the foothold was attained, the joint force had a place to base operations and conduct searches of the peninsula to find insurgent supply havens.

The joint, assault force killed seven insurgents while sustaining two wounded in action. The two American Soldiers who were wounded have since been evacuated to the United States for further care.

There were a total of 19 detainees taken during Operation Cowpens.

“We’ve put a stop to a lot of the (improvised explosive device) making,” said Sgt. Daniel Reinhardt, a team leader from 1-8 CAB. “The more we’re (on the Jabouri Peninsula), the more stuff we bring out, the less the bad guys are here.”

Following is a complete tally of all munitions and supplies seized during Operation Cowpens:

* 57 mm recoilless rifle: 1
* 105 mm rounds: 3
* 115 mm rounds: 5
* 120 mm rounds: 6
* 122 mm rounds: 4
* 125 mm rounds: 12
* 130 mm rounds: 4
* 155 mm rounds: 10
* 82 mm mortars: 4
* 14.5 mm ammunition in case: 15
* .50 caliber main gun: 1
* .50 caliber ammunition can: 1
* 60 mm casings: 6
* 60 mm mortar system: 2
* 7.62 main gun: 1
* 82 mm rounds: 28
* AC adapter: 1
* AK ammunition: 2,225 rounds
* AK magazines: 1-
* AK-47: 18
* AK-47 drums: 1
* aluminum tube with explosives: 1
* antennas: 5
* anti-personnel mines: 7
* anti-tank hand grenades: 5
* bandoleers: 3
* bulk explosives: 51
* batteries: 7
* bayonets: 5
* blasting caps: 146
* bolt action rifle: 1
* bottles of accelerant: 1
* cell phone charger: 1
* cell phones: 4
* charging bases: 4
* feet of copper wire: 500
* feet of detonation cord: 4,580
* electrical switches: 5
* pounds of accelerant: 100
* fragmentation vests: 2
* gas masks: 5
* German main gun: 1
* glue guns: 3
* grenade launchers: 2
* hand grenades: 23
* Iraqi army uniforms: 5
* improvised explosive device making materials: 1
* IED paperwork: 1
* improvised devices: 5
* improvised mortar tube with aiming sights: 1
* improvised rocket launcher: 4
* pounds of TNT: 35
* long-range radios: 2
* machine gun: 1
* mortar fuses: 18
* mortar rounds: 12
* mortar sights: 3
* rigged Motorola radios: 10
* Motorola rechargeable batteries: 25
* other rockets: 4
* PKC rifle: 2
* PKC ammunition: 1
* 57 mm and 68 mm rockets: 32
* rolls of tape: 3
* rocket-propelled grenade fragmentation rounds: 5
* RPG launchers: 31
* RPG rounds: 52
* RPG sights: 1
* RPG triggers: 2
* SA-8 rocket: 1
* SA-14 rocket: 5
* SA-14 training round: 1
* SA-14 tracker head: 3
* scope: 1
* cordless phone base: 3
* soldering guns: 2
* Soviet .50 caliber main gun: 1
* Soviet anti-aircraft artillery main gun: 1
* spare main gun barrel: 1
* switches: 3
* talk about radios: 19
* unknown fuse: 1

While ridding this region of such a large amount of materials has helped secure the area for Soldiers and Iraqi citizens to live and travel, it’s not the only added benefit experienced on the peninsula.

“I think we’ve made great strides (on the Jabouri Peninsula),” Dailey said. “We’re starting to do a lot of programs up there, building some things for them to better the area, doing some medical assessments in the area for them.

“I think the Jabouris are really going come around and be a part of the community and start to play a great role for the political scene of the Balad area.”

Tags: Al Qaeda
War on Terror
Iraq
MNF Iraq
Iraqi Army

.