Sadr City residents welcome Iraqi Army, Regulars into homes

Courtesy Photo | Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers talk with residents of the Thawra 1 neighborhood of Baghdad's Sadr City District while on a patrol in northeastern Baghdad, Dec. 7. The Soldiers, assigned to 2nd Platoon, Company C, 1st Battalion, 35th Armor Regiment, Task Force 1-6, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, which is currently attached to 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, have noted a change in the people's demeanor as the people now welcome the Soldiers into their homes.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

12.13.2008

Courtesy Story

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

By 1st Lt. Christopher Young
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

BAGHDAD – With the memories of the spring 2008 fighting still fresh in their minds, the residents of Sadr City looked to thank the American and Iraqi soldiers as they conducted clearing operations of homes in Tharwa 1.

The residents of Tharwa 1 shook hands with Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment and the 3rd Battalion, 42nd Brigade, 11th Iraqi Army Division, in the streets as they conducted house-to-house searches for unauthorized weapons and the residents gladly opened their doors and welcomed the Soldiers inside.

Most residents offered tea and breakfast and they took handbills and tip cards with great interest as they hoped to show the Soldiers they were willing to help out in order to keep the area safe for their children.

"The people here in Sadr City really appreciate our efforts, and it's nice to see them all come out to greet us when we knock on their doors," said Spc. Mark Kupiec a native of Detroit, who serves with Company C, 1st Battalion, 35th Armor Regiment, Task Force 1-6, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, which is currently attached to 3rd BCT, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad.

Kupiec, along with the other Soldiers of 2nd Platoon, Company C, 1-35 AR, have conducted numerous clearing operations in Thawra 1. They recently finished clearing an area of more than 3,000 homes in a course of two months. In that search, the Soldiers confiscated more than 375 unauthorized weapons and passed out more than 100,000 handbills stressing the importance of cooperating with coalition and Iraqi security forces.

"It's amazing to think of how many homes we've searched this deployment, but we're professionals and we know exactly where to look to find hidden weapons," said Cpl. Bradley Hahn, a native of San Diego who serves with 2nd Platoon, Co. C, 1st Bn., 35th Armor Regt.

The Soldiers of 2nd Platoon utilize metal detectors, flashlights and military working dogs in order to perform a thorough search of each home.

"It's always good to know basic Arabic phrases such as 'May we come in,' 'Open the door' and 'Do you have a weapon,'" said Staff Sgt. Ralph Bain, a native of Brooklyn, N.Y.

The 2nd Platoon Soldiers all have spent time studying Arabic with their interpreter and it comes in use often when the platoon is split into separate teams and they only have one professional interpreter. So far, the searches have been successful and the residents of Sadr City have even more reason to appreciate the security the Regulars and the Iraqi army provide.

• Date Taken: 12.13.2008
• Date Posted: 12.13.2008 08:49
• Story ID: 27643
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ