Courtesy Photo | An Iraqi army soldier with the 3rd Battalion, 22nd Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army pulls...... read more read more
Subscribe
By Staff Sgt. Amber Emery
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division
CAMP STRIKER, Iraq – Iraqi army soldiers conducted a cordon, search and patrol of the Fetoah area, June 18, to disrupt enemy operations and detain any insurgents in the area.
Soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, 22nd Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division were assisted by Rakkasan Soldiers from 3rd platoon, Company B, 1st Bn., 35th Armored Division (attached). The combined effort successfully gained intelligence about the area and demonstrated the capabilities of IA to the local populace.
"The people in the houses we visited today were very calm and collected and wanting to help the IA find what they were looking for," said Cpl. Raymond W. Miller, 1st squad A, Co. B, 1-35 Armd. Div. team leader.
The IA actively participates in every phase of the planning process for these missions, said Sgt. Ryan Hamilton, 1st squad leader, Co. B, 1-35 Armd. Div.
"The number one thing (the IA) did today was they listened. They performed everything that we expected of them and really gave 110 percent," said Hamilton, a native of Mocksville, N.C. "I think they are capable of doing these types of missions and completing these types of missions with flying colors."
The structure of the IA is totally different than that of the coalition forces, said 1st Lt. Thomas J. Woodard, 3rd Plt., Co. B,, 1-35 Armd. Div. platoon leader.
"Sometimes it is less about trying to bring them to the way we do things and more just understanding the way they do it," said Woodard, an Albuquerque, N.M., native.
The importance of the mission in the Fetoah area, about 15 kilometers southwest of Baghdad, was to get the IA talking to the people, letting them know they were there and can do their job. This illustrates to the populace they do not have to be afraid because their national army is capable, said Miller, a McConnellsburgh, Pa., native.
"We support each other. We are here for the same cause so we all put forth the effort so we can do what needs to be done," Miller said.
| Date Taken: | 06.18.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 06.24.2008 10:30 |
| Story ID: | 20803 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 256 |
| Downloads: | 178 |
This work, IA, Rakkasans conduct patrols near Fetoah, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT