First Independent Iraqi Operation

Courtesy Photo | Iraqi soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 1st Brigade, 4th Iraqi Army Division inspect an assault rifle found in a the closet of a home in the village of Al Julaam, Iraq.  

TIKRIT, IRAQ

09.11.2005

Courtesy Story

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Story by Sgt. Matthew Acosta, 22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

FORWARD OPERATING BASE DANGER, Tikrit, Iraq -- "I thank Coalition Forces for all you have done for us, training and conditioning my men to get them where they are now- able to plan and execute independent operations," said Col. Dakhal Hassan Mohmoud, commander, 1st Battalion, 1st Brigade, 4th Iraqi Army Division (IAD).

Since the war in Iraq has begun, Iraqis have been aiding in the war on terror, providing intelligence to Coalition Forces as well as taking an active part enlisting in the new Iraqi army; some of them soldiers of the former regime.

Iraqi Army soldiers have now become proficient in conducting combat operations, and have executed an operation using a battalion of Iraqi troops, August 16, 2005.

"Due to intensive training by American forces, the 1st Bn., 1st Bde. soldiers are now proficient enough to plan and conduct independent operations on the battalion level," said Lt. Col. Todd Wood, commander, 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, Task Force Liberty.

These Iraqi soldiers have been training and conducting operations combined with Coalition Forces since the effort to stand up the Iraqi army had begun. While developing into a fighting force, they were working toward training, planning and conducting independent operations as part of the handing over the country's security from the Coalition Forces to the Iraqi army.

"The battalion developed a list of people they wanted to question," Wood said. "They also developed a plan of action, rehearsed the mission and executed the mission successfully, according to the plan."

The Iraqi army intelligence personnel began gathering intelligence on terrorist activity in and around the main and alternate supply routes in Tikrit, Iraq.

"According to our intelligence sources, the target was a neighborhood where several old regime Iraqi army officers lived who are suspected of planting improvised explosive devices on the main supply routes," said Iraqi army Capt. Mueen Shehan, intelligence officer, 1st Bn., 4th IAD.

For the first time since the war started, an Iraqi battalion-sized element conducted independent operations backed up by Coalition airpower and fire support.

"They haven't developed artillery assets yet," Wood said. "And they couldn't communicate with the air support, so if they needed that support, they would have coordinated that through our [liaison officers]."

Wood said they compiled a list of 10 personnel they were looking to detain, and because of the swift execution of the operation, they were able to get information on eight of the suspects, and detained the other two. They also confiscated several small arms during the operation.

The operation started early in the morning and successfully ended a few hours later with no reported injuries to personnel, or damage to private property.

After the operation, all 38 Iraqi vehicles and 375 Iraqi soldiers paraded through Tikrit, showing the people they were a formidable force that could protect the people and inspire their confidence in a unit that lives in the city they operate in, Wood said.

"We wanted to show [the terrorists] who was in power," said Dakhal.

Coalition Forces agreed on the historical significance of the day.

"[The parade] was a great display because any previous mission the Iraqis conducted were of smaller elements and usually at night when no one could witness," Wood said. "And I'm sure it had a positive impact on the people of Tikrit as well as any of the folks out there that are involved in terrorist activity."

The Iraqi soldiers continued to celebrate by hosting a celebratory lunch where the soldiers discussed the mission and what a huge historical event this was for them.

The Iraqi battalion will continue to conduct company and battalion-level operations within Tikrit and surrounding areas in an effort to keep terrorists at bay.

"This operation is just the start of the Iraqis taking over," Dakhal said. "And we will not [allow] any insurgents to enter Tikrit. They will not operate freely or they will be in danger."

Dakhal said since Iraqi soldiers have been involved more with the people of Tikrit, they have been very helpful with intelligence information on terrorist activity and have even asked the soldiers for assistance in dealing with personal problems.

He added that without the support from locals, they would have "a more difficult time finding success."

"Everyone will remember this day," Dakhal said. "Finally today we see what all the hard training [the 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry has] done for us; thank you (Lt.) Col. Wood, for this great day to celebrate."

• Date Taken: 09.11.2005
• Date Posted: 09.11.2005 03:34
• Story ID: 2968
• Location: TIKRIT, IQ