Iraqi Army takes on terrorists

Courtesy Photo | Iraqi soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, conducted their first air-assault mission with Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 75th Cavalry Regiment, May 15. The operation was to seek and attack terrorists in the Mahmudiyah area. IA soldiers trained on air-assault operations prior to the actual mission. IA sergeants major and first sergeants go through training with their soldiers.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

05.26.2006

Courtesy Story

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CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq " The soldiers of 2nd Battalion, 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, conducted their first company level air-assault operation May 15 resulting in four detainees, one small-arms fire fight and no casualties.

The Iraqi soldiers arrived at Forward Operating Base Mahmudiyah for training on entering and exiting a helicopter before embarking on their six kilometer search and attack mission in an area suspected of terrorist activity.

"The importance of this mission was that it showed that the 2nd Iraqi Battalion could conduct a company level operation while maneuvering three different platoons simultaneously," said Capt. Ryan Hartwig, commander, Military Transition Team. "That was the basis of what we were looking at as far as evaluating and seeing if these Iraqi soldiers were competent at the company level."

Throwing in the variables of an air-assault mission and a nighttime operation tested the 2nd Bn.'s soldiers, said Hartwig.

"Ninety-five percent of their missions are daytime missions," he said. "Also, pushing the limit of lack of sleep, no food and just enough water to sustain, testing them under those conditions was the most important thing."

Some Iraqi army soldiers will have to work to be stronger said Col. Fowzi, commander, 2nd Bn., 4th Bde., 6th IAD.

"I want strong soldiers," he said. "This mission was long and difficult; it tested our soldier's strength and will to strive. Many soldiers were sick from the heat, and tired from the long distance so I will improve on their strength so that they may move long distances for a long period of time."

Even with the intense Iraqi sun beating down on the troops" shoulders, the soldiers worked hard to reach their goals for the operation, and in doing so, detained four terrorist suspects, one of whom is suspected to be an assassin.

"Conducting a mission of this magnitude has held the IA to a greater standard. Now they know that the two or three hour patrols the U.S. Soldiers take is nothing compared to a 16k movement patrol at night, where it is hard to know where you are," Hartwig said. "Basically, I think this operation is just raising the bar, so now the little three or four hour patrols become nothing to them."

This was the largest air-assault mission the IA has undertaken to date in conjunction with U. S. forces. The operation proved to the MiTT elements that their hard work and dedication is paying off.

"The U. S. forces have worked very hard to help make the IA stronger and more proficient," Fowzi said. "All this work is seen through operations like this one."

• Date Taken: 05.26.2006
• Date Posted: 05.26.2006 11:31
• Story ID: 6531
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ