National Police step up during operation in New Baghdad

Photo By Sgt. Maj. Alejandro Licea | 1st Lt. Donald Vance, a native of Lehigh Acres, Fla., looks up at an Iraqi child during a combined dismounted patrol, Jan. 17, in the New Baghdad District of eastern Baghdad. Paratroopers assigned to Company D, 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Multi-National Division - Baghdad, and their Iraqi partners with the 1st Battalion, 8th Brigade, 2nd National Police Division conducted the dismounted patrol in order to assess the neighborhood's security and collect intelligence.  

IRAQ

01.21.2009

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Alejandro Licea 

3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division

By Staff Sgt. Alex Licea
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division

JOINT SECURITY STATION BELADIYAT, Iraq – National police officers and Multi-National Division – Baghdad paratroopers assessed security during a combined combat patrol, Jan. 17, in the New Baghdad District of eastern Baghdad.

NP officers assigned to the 1st Battalion, 8th Brigade, 2nd NP Division, with assistance from paratroopers assigned to Company D, 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, conducted a dismounted combat patrol in a New Baghdad neighborhood to check on security and collect intelligence.

"This patrol clearly shows the neighborhood who is in charge of security," said 1st. Sgt. David Ceballos, senior enlisted leader for Co. D, who is a native of San Antonio. "The NPs want to show the residents that they are here to help them. The combined patrol also shows the Iraqi people that we are working with the ISF in partnership."

The area has seen a recent increase in improvised explosive devices targeting Iraqi security forces, Iraqi civilians and coalition forces. An improvised explosive device on the evening of Jan. 10 in this neighborhood took the life of Staff Sgt. Justin Bauer during a combat patrol. NP officers and paratroopers urged residents to report any suspicious activity by calling ISF tip lines. Security forces also detained one individual and confiscated eight AK-47 rifles as part of the operation.

Capt. Darren Glenn, company commander for Co. D., credited the weapons discovery and the detention to the work done by the NP throughout the operation and said the NPs, who led the patrol, continue to perform well and have been doing so for some time.

"The goal of today's operation was to gain intelligence on special groups operating in this area," said Glenn, who is a native of Woodland, Calif. "The result of this mission is a great example of how well the NPs continue to do."

• Date Taken: 01.21.2009
• Date Posted: 01.21.2009 07:59
• Story ID: 29092
• Location: IQ