‘Gimlets,’ IA interact with local populace during partnered security patrol

Courtesy Photo | Wendy Flatt, the agriculture adviser for Kirkuk Provincial Reconstruction Team, and Maj. Jeffrey DeLay, civil affairs officer, 1st Advise and Assist Task Force Civil Affairs, stands in front of eight-seed planters and a sign made to thank everyone who participated in the project in Kirkuk, Iraq Feb. 8, 2011. The 1st AATF, 1st Inf. Div. Civil Affairs section and the Kirkuk PRT used the Commander's Emergency Response Program to distribute 18 seed planters to farmers in Kirkuk. (Photo by: Pfc. Alyxandra McChesney)  

JAZANI AL CHOL, IRAQ

02.12.2011

Story by Pfc. Robert M. England 

2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE WARHORSE, Iraq – Soldiers from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, “Gimlets,” 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, conducted a partnered security patrol with Iraqi Army counterparts in the city of Jazani al Chol, Diyala province, Iraq, Feb. 6.

U.S. and IA forces partnered during the security operation to disrupt violent extremist operations in the area and show local Iraqi citizens that the Iraqi Army remains committed to maintaining security.

“Partnered operations are important to highlight to the local populace that [U.S. forces] are here to assist the ISF in securing local communities and Iraq,” said Capt. Benjamin Williams, commander, 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment.

Williams, who hails from Augusta, Ga., said Iraqi soldiers of 1st Battalion, 19th Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division, worked closely with HHC, 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, in planning the mission.

Augmenting security provided by the IA during the patrol, the Gimlets also coordinated two UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters for a tactical air insertion, adding pressure to violent extremists seeking refuge within Jazani al Chol.

Working with Jazani al Chol citizens, IA soldiers displayed determination to remove extremist threats from the area.

During the patrol, the partnered forces interacted with local Iraqi citizens in the community, distributing flyers depicting the faces of extremists suspected of hiding in the city.

The interaction raised awareness of possible extremist activity in the area and established a level of trust between the citizens and the IA.

“The Army works for the country,” said IA jundi, Arabic for soldier, Pvt. Hasan, an IA soldier with 1st Battalion, 19th Brigade, 5th IA Division. “People trust us to protect them.”

In addition to fostering trust between the IA and the local
community, the mission showed the people of Jazani al Chol that U.S. forces plan to continue their advise and assist mission with their IA counterparts.

By building rapport and strengthening the trust between the soldiers and the community, the IA increased its chances for success in removing violent extremists from Jazani Al Chol.

• Date Taken: 02.12.2011
• Date Posted: 02.18.2011 04:17
• Story ID: 65640
• Location: JAZANI AL CHOL, IQ