Infantry company captures al-Qaida cell members, clears 49 buildings

Photo By Staff Sgt. James Hutto | Soldiers from 3rd platoon, Company A, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, pull security on suspected insurgents during a combat patrol north of Salman Pak Oct. 16. (Photo/1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment)  

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, IRAQ

10.16.2007

Story by Spc. James Hutto 

3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division

By Spc. Ben Hutto, 3rd HBCT Public Affairs

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq – Eleven people were detained and 49 buildings cleared Oct. 16 during Operation Belleau Wood II, an intensive search north of Salman Pak to capture or kill al-Qaida and insurgents operating in the area.

"Acting on local tips, we were able to disrupt an al-Qaida IED cell," said 1st Lt. Clifford Cieslak, from Pasadena, Md., the fire support officer for Company A, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment.

Leaders are optimistic that the capture of the cell will allow 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Soldiers and Iraqi Security Forces to better secure the area and allow the local population to continue improving governmental functions, Cieslak explained.

Soldiers from Company A, 1-15 Inf. Regt., detained the men after they were identified as possible insurgents responsible for attacks against the 3rd HBCT. Improvised explosive device materials, two AK-47 assault rifles, a shotgun and ammunition were found during the search.

The 1-15 Inf. Regt., is assigned to the 3rd HBCT, 3rd Inf. Div., from Fort Benning, Ga., and has been deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom since March.

• Date Taken: 10.16.2007
• Date Posted: 10.22.2007 11:17
• Story ID: 13175
• Location: FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, IQ