Photo By Spc. Cal Turner | CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Capt. Zoran Ivanov, commander, Task Force Wolf, Macedonian Special...... read more read more
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CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Iraqi army soldiers from the 1st Mechanized Brigade, 9th Iraqi Army Division, along with soldiers from the Macedonian Special Forces Platoon and Psychological Operations Detachment 1120, 303rd Psyop Company, an Army Reserve unit attached to the 1st Special Troops Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, conducted an assessment patrol in the remote town of Subak Sur Aug. 8.
Several different missions came to fruition as the patrol moved through the city near the Rashidiya region; the Macedonians, who are attached to the 1st Bn., 66th Armor Regiment, 1st BCT, sought to instruct the Iraqi army soldiers on how to conduct patrols in urban environments while the Psyop team conducted a village assessment.
"During an assessment, we go into a village and talk to people and local vendors to find out what the people are feeling," said Sgt. Josh Cuddy, Psyop team chief, Det. 1120. "We come out to hear what issues they have, what's going on with them, their feelings about the Coalition, the Iraqi government and military."
The town of Subak Sur is predominantly Shia and sits within the area of responsibility of all three units. The mission functioned as a way to not only show support from the Coalition Forces but also an opportunity for the Iraqi army to touch base with the remote town.
"Some of the people here said they haven't seen Coalition Forces for a long time, but they were still friendly to us," said Cuddy. "We want the people to support the Iraqi Security Forces and help 1st Brigade see where the people stand."
The Macedonian army contingent is new to Iraq. In its second month in theater, the soldiers continue to add to their growing number of missions each day.
"Our mission is to help train the Iraqi army," said Capt. Zoran Ivanov, commander, Macedonian Special Forces Platoon. "We provided security and did our own assessment of the town while the Iraqi army also provided security."
Zoran said he sees progress in the Iraqis that he works with daily.
"The Iraqi army soldiers are motivated, and they are getting better and better every day."
As the Iraqi army takes the lead, it has to deal with unique problems while Coalition Forces support their operations.
"Things have been going good. We have a few militia problems, but that's it," said 1st Lt. Haider Rustem, intelligence officer, 1st Mech. Bde., 9th IAD. "The Macedonians are good at what they do."
| Date Taken: | 08.24.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 08.24.2006 14:02 |
| Story ID: | 7535 |
| Location: | TAJI, IQ |
| Web Views: | 337 |
| Downloads: | 136 |
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