Photo By Sgt. Johnnie French | Master Sgt. Mark Powell, a military policeman with the 4th Brigade Combat Team...... read more read more
Subscribe
By Sgt. Johnnie French
4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division
FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – As the paratroopers packed inside the helicopter, engines roared to life and lifted them into the black of night, June 23.
The destination of the paratroopers was Hawaii, but it was no island paradise, it was the target name for an insurgent stronghold in a village just outside Mahmudiyah.
The paratroopers from Company C, 3rd Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division conducted Operation Peregrine II and captured five members of an insurgent cell in north Babil.
"The operation was a nighttime air assault to capture several (individuals) that we believe are directly responsible for attacks in our area, including the bombing of a bridge that took the lives of three of our fellow Soldiers," said 1st Sgt. Karl Zaglauer, first sergeant for Company C. "This was actually the third raid we have conducted in response to the bridge attack."
The paratroopers trained and rehearsed for three days in preparation for the mission but at the last minute plans changed.
"Prior to take off we learned that the main target had moved locations," Zaglauer said. "So, we came up with a hasty plan and our guys executed it flawlessly."
Even though the paratroopers made the raid look easy, it did have its problems.
"It was difficult. This was our first air assault, and at the last minute there was a change, but we were flexible and stuck to the basics," said 1st Lt. Nathaniel Bretz, a platoon leader with Company C.
According to Bretz, several factors added to the difficulty of the operation including the sheer number of houses located within the vicinity of the target.
"Everything was a little more built up than we expected," he continued. "But, we were able to clear the objective and take five insurgents off of the street."
Company C is planning more missions of this type.
"We like conducting these types of operations because it gives you the element of surprise," said Capt. Stew Lindsay, commander of Company C.
In all, 19 suspected members of the improvised explosive device cell have been detained. Company A, 2nd Battalion, 69th Armored Regiment, attached to 377th Parachute Field Artillery Regiment, 4th BCT, (ABN), 25th ID, detained 14 insurgents June 24 while conducting a raid south of Baghdad alongside the Iraqi army.
| Date Taken: | 06.24.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 06.25.2007 09:43 |
| Story ID: | 10947 |
| Location: | ISKANDARIYAH, IQ |
| Web Views: | 220 |
| Downloads: | 204 |
This work, IED emplacers detained during Operation Peregrine II, by SGT Johnnie French, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
