DVIDS Hub works best with JavaScript enabled

Pressure on AQIZ

Photo By Capt. Richard Ybarra | Spc. Sean Fowler and Sgt. Robert Treadway of the 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry...... read more read more

BAQUBAH, IRAQ

10.26.2007

Story by Capt. Richard Ybarra

115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

By 1st Lt. Richard Ybarra
115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

BAQUBA, Iraq - In a ten-day span, the 5th Iraqi Army Division, partnering with 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division put the squeeze on al-Qaida in Iraq in back-to-back operations on Oct. 5 and 15, in Diyala province, Iraq.

The operations, titled "Rock Drill" and "Rock Bone Breaker" netted big cache finds for both the IA and the 1- 38 Inf. Regt. The IA scored the first heavy blow against al-Qaida in Iraq when they found a large weapons cache in a cemetery north of Muradiyah during Operation Rock Drill.

The cache was discovered by 4th Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 5th IA Division, acting on information given by Concerned Local Citizens. It consisted of six automatic weapons, four two-way radios, two rocket propelled grenades, two anti-tank mines, two rifles, large quantities of ammunition and both electronic and print al-Qaida in Iraq propaganda. In addition, two improvised explosive devices were discovered nearby the cemetery.

"The IA was definitely in control; they had the larger force and cleared all the culturally sensitive sites such as the mosque and the cemetery, finding the cache in the cemetery," said Capt. Duane Bailey, 1-38 Inf.' Bayonet Company commander.

During the operation south of Muradiyah, a Stryker combat vehicle was struck by an IED, resulting in no injuries to the crew and minor damage to the vehicle. A command wire was discovered and traced, resulting in the detention of two individuals. Both men tested positive for traces of explosives on their hands and were subsequently turned over to the IA.

On Oct. 15, 4-2-5 IA again teamed up with 1-38 Inf. for Operation Rock Bone Breaker, targeting a peninsula encompassed by the Diyala River, which is known to local Iraqi citizens as "the bone" and a village locally known as "Mechanics Two."

The mission was conceived by the 4-2-5 IA, then planned and undertaken jointly with 1-38.

"This was a great mission, planned and executed with our partners from the 4-2-5 IA. It could not have been possible without the initiative of the IA," stated Maj. Matt Moore, 1-38 operations officer.

Bone Breaker was the Stryker Soldiers' opportunity to shine, as they discovered one large weapons cache containing assorted weapons and ammunition as well as two smaller caches containing homemade explosives.

The larger weapons cache, found on the peninsula, contained 20 propane tanks, 34 blasting caps, 500 feet of detonation cord, 21 assorted demolition charges, equipment for an 82 mm mortar team including the tube, tripod, ammunition, fuses and range quadrant scale, three RPGs with rockets and various small arms ammunition.

"4-2-5 IA and 1-38 Inf. Regt continue to develop a strong working relationship in their combined operations area," stated U.S. Army Maj. James A. Van Atta, team leader for 4-2-5 Military Transition Team. "The IA is now able to take the lead in planning missions. Their development, their willingness to plan and then execute on the battlefield is encouraging."

These successful operations did not slow the 1-38 Soldiers and their IA partners as they continued to press the advantage. Both units again joined forces Oct. 19 and 20 to hold a Combined Medical Engagement and Humanitarian Aid drop in the south Baquba neighborhood of Khatoon.

"The success of 3-2 Stryker Brigade, who was here before us, set the conditions for the success of recent operations. The IA here are proactive, learning all the time and doing well." said Capt. Victor Satterlund, Attack Company commander, 1-38 Inf. "Together, we have kept AQIZ off balance and kept them from getting a foothold back in Baquba."

"We have won the trust of the local population by providing security and working on projects such as water, medical aid, schools supplies and humanitarian aid," Satterlund continued. "What you are seeing here is progress."