2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division Public Affairs

Courtesy Story

2nd BCT PAO, 1st Arm. Div.

BAGHDAD – Iraqi Security Forces working closely with Multi-National Division – Baghdad continued Operation Together Forward Monday with Operation South Sword Search in the Baghdad neighborhood of Bakriya.

Policemen of 1st Battalion, 5th Brigade, 2nd Iraqi National Police Division, and Soldiers from 1st Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, along with Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, attached to 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, MND-B, are working to clear the area of illegal weapons and put an end to terrorist activities.

"This was a totally combined operation with the 1st Bn., 5th Bde., 2nd NPD, and 1st Bde., 6th IAD," said Maj. Jesse Pearson of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Bn. 23rd Inf. Regt. "They were extremely successful in helping us capture enemy personnel, and question them for intelligence."

"We are capitalizing on successes of Operation Together Forward by denying terrorists the means to hide weapons," added Capt. Miller of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Bn., 23rd Inf. Regt.

As well as securing the neighborhood, Lt. Col. Avanulas Smiley, commander, 1st Bn., 23rd Inf., Regt., took advantage of an opportunity to talk to residents about services offered in the neighborhood.

"With the Iraqi battalion we are working with, we are going to continue on the path to reduce violence and crime. One of the ways to do that is by cleaning up the neighborhood." said Lt. Col. Smiley.

Since the launch of Operation Together Forward, the 2nd Brigade Combat Team has searched more than 27,000 buildings and seized more than 600 illegal weapons and detained 32 suspected terrorists.

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