Outlaws back SEALS

Photo By Cpl. Ryan Tomlinson | Sgt. Carl J. Woods, 24, a scout team leader from Virginia Beach, Va., with Delta Company, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 5, watches on as a light armored vehicle passes during an assembly of an observation post, May 18. The Camp Lejeune-based company, known as "Outlaw," assisted the U.S. Navy SEALS in a raid that yielded a key suspect in Operation Iraqi Freedom.  

AL ANBAR PROVINCE, IRAQ

05.26.2008

Story by Cpl. Ryan Tomlinson 

I Marine Expeditionary Force

By Cpl. Ryan L. Tomlinson
Regimental Combat Team 5

AL ANBAR PROVINCE, Iraq – Sneaking through the shadows of the cool desert night, Navy SEALS have a mission to find and capture a suspected insurgent in western Al Anbar province. Without hesitation, the special operations team grabs the suspect, knowing they have a powerful and mobile infantry platoon to back them up at a moment's notice.

Marines with Delta Company, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 5, nicknamed 'Outlaw,' supported the U.S. Navy SEALS in executing this operation to capture a key suspect, May 19, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The suspect was considered to be one of 1st Marine Expeditionary Force's most high valued individuals in Iraq.

According to the Marines with Delta Company, this is a huge lead into cracking down on more suspects.

"It felt great for them (the SEALS) to look to us in taking down the high value individuals," said Cpl. Nicholas A. Iannucci, 21, a scout team leader from West Henrietta, N.Y., with Delta Company. "It made me feel we are finally taking down the right guys to complete the mission."

During the mission, the Marines patrolled through the outskirts of Rutbah, Iraq, in the event the suspect attempted to escape the household area and cut through the desert. Hours were spent surveying the area and providing security for the SEALS while they completed their mission.

Once the suspect was detained, Outlaw brought them to the detainee facility aboard Camp Korean Village to remain in custody.

The Marines were also able to find a weapons cache of more than six rocket propelled grenade launchers and a variety of other weapons possessed by the suspect.

"It was a unique experience to work with special operations to obtain the individuals," said Lance Cpl. Alex C. Brilla, a light armored vehicle operator with Delta Company. "We were able to be a quick reaction force to them in an important time."

The 22-year-old Plantsville, Conn., native, added that despite the long hours of security, the operation was worth every bit of effort catching the bad guys.

• Date Taken: 05.26.2008
• Date Posted: 05.27.2008 10:38
• Story ID: 19811
• Location: AL ANBAR PROVINCE, IQ