Iraqi Army partners with Stallions to clean the streets in Hor Al Bosh

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Jon Cupp | An Iraqi Army troop (left) with the 3rd Brigade, 9th Iraqi Army Division (Mechanized) hands an illegal AK-47 magazine and two illegally owned AK-47 assault rifles to Humble, Texas native, Sgt. Marcus Canseco, a squad leader for Company D, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment during a joint cordon and search in Hor Al Bosh, Iraq June 6.  

HOR AL BOSH, IRAQ

06.10.2007

Story by Staff Sgt. Jon Cupp 

1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division

By Staff Sgt. Jon Cupp
1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs

HOR AL BOSH, Iraq -- In a big push to clear the streets here of extremists, Iraqi army troops of the 3rd Brigade, 9th Iraqi Army Division (Mechanized) teamed with Soldiers from the 2nd "Stallion" Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment to perform a large Iraqi-led combined cordon and search operation, going door-to-door in every neighborhood here.

In this particular operation, the Stallions simply observed as the Iraqi army troops performed the June 6 searches.

The Iraqi soldiers walked from house to house checking for weapons caches and meeting the people, as well as handing out tip cards for information on any extremists who may be lurking in the neighborhoods. When they were needed, Soldiers from the 2-8th Cavalry assisted the Iraqi troops.

"They're (the Iraqi troops) pretty comfortable with everything and taking it slowly and deliberately as they go about their searches," said Bedford, Va., native 1st Lt. Ben Melton, a platoon leader for Company D, 2-8th Cavalry. "They're really doing an excellent job flushing out the bad guys.

"This is a mainly IA-driven operation," he added. "These are the types of things they need to be doing to eventually be able to take over the security of their own country. That's exactly what they're doing."

Over the past few months, Soldiers from the Stallion battalion have been helping to train the 3-9th troops advanced infantry tactics and other aspects of military training. Just recently, the 2-8th troops have begun going on real missions with their Iraqi counterparts.

"When we go on missions with them, we haven't had to give them any pointers, they're pretty much already on it," said Sgt. Marcus Canseco, a squad leader for Co. D who hails from Humble, Texas.

Canseco has seen the Iraqi troops work under fire.

"They're just like any other infantry squad. They're highly motivated and dedicated to the task," he said. "The other day when they took fire, they handled everything very well and ended up capturing three detainees."

Within the course of this day's mission, the Iraqi troops arrested 17 suspects and confiscated several illegal weapons.

The day's success, according to Canseco, is a testament to the Iraqi army soldiers and U.S. troops working together to gain the trust of the villagers in Hor Al Bosh.

"We've been securing our patrol base here and making our presence known, and a lot of the time we've spent here has involved meeting the people and most of them want us and the Iraqi security forces here," said Canseco. "We feel really good about what we're doing here today."

Canseco said he hopes his troops gain an appreciation for the Iraqi people and the Iraqi security forces with whom they are working.

"I hope they see how the people live here and earn a better understanding of the culture," said Canseco. "I think it will give them a better appreciation for the freedoms they have back home."

"It's a small town and it needs to be cleared so the people here can have a future," said Willows, Calif., native Spc. James Boggan, an infantryman with Co. D. "I'm just glad that we're able to help the Iraqi army as they transition so they can give their people a better life by getting rid of any insurgent elements in their town."

• Date Taken: 06.10.2007
• Date Posted: 06.11.2007 10:27
• Story ID: 10751
• Location: HOR AL BOSH, IQ