Bountyhunters, Iraqi Security Forces repo remnants of Sab al Bour's violent past

Courtesy Photo | An Iraqi police officer keeps an eye out while workers finish preparing an abandoned bus for removal during Operation Repo Man in Sab al Bour, northwest of Baghdad, Jan. 1. Soldiers from Troop B "Bountyhunter," 2nd Squadron 14th Cavalry Regiment, "Strykehorse," 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team "Warrior," 25th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, worked with Iraqi security forces to beautify the city by removing abandoned vehicles.  

IRAQ

01.01.2009

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Brian Addis 

2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division

By Sgt. 1st Class Brian Addis
2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division

JOINT SECURITY STATION SAB AL BOUR, Iraq – Members of the Iraqi army and Strykehorse Soldiers cleaned up the streets of Sab al Bour, northwest of Baghdad, during Operation Repo Man, Jan 1.

Soldiers from Troop B "Bountyhunter," 2nd Squadron 14th Cavalry Regiment "Strykehorse," 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team "Warrior," 25th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad and soldiers from the 2nd Battalion 53rd Iraqi Army Brigade cleaned up abandoned cars along major routes in the city which were seen as an eyesore and a constant reminder of the city's violent past by many local Nahia members.

"This was an excellent idea," said Sheik Jassim, a local Shia leader in Sab al Bour. "Those abandoned cars were nothing but a reminder of the bad times that are now behind us."

By removing the abandoned cars, potential threats to Iraqi security forces, U.S. forces, and the local populace were mitigated. The areas marketplace looked cleaner and more accessible.

"This operation had a huge impact on the city," said Capt. Pedro Martinez, a native of Houston and platoon leader for Bountyhunter Troop. "The people saw that the ISF cared about cleaning up the city and at the same time it helped clear abandoned cars that could one day be used to plant[improvised explosive devices]."

Efforts to clean up Sab al Bour are ongoing and began in August with the formal reorganization of the city by the government of Iraq.

Months of planning went into the operation. Cranes and flatbed trucks were on hand to transport the vehicles out of the city.

"This was a big step in cleaning up our city," said Radhe Jaffar, the Sab al Bour mayor. "The people all agree the abandoned cars created the appearance of a city that does not care about its appearance."

Operation Repo Man culminated with the removal of 63 abandoned vehicles, with the Iraqi police giving residents 48 hours to remove claimed cars from public property. During the operation a great sense of pride and appreciation was apparent among the people in the city. The cooperation with the people of Sab al Bour and the ISF had a positive impact in the city.

"It was great to have the IA and IP working with the Americans to remove these abandoned cars," said Thamir Amud, the Sab al Bour Nahia Chairman. "This really shows that the ISF and coalition forces really do have a great working relationship."

• Date Taken: 01.01.2009
• Date Posted: 01.09.2009 09:11
• Story ID: 28646
• Location: IQ