By Sgt. Catherine Graham
926th Engineer Brigade
BAGHDAD – Soldiers from 3rd Platoon, 688th Mobility Augmentation Company, 890th Engineer Battalion, 926th Engineer Brigade, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, assisted Iraqi police by removing an explosively formed projectile on the busy streets of Baghdad in the district of Rusafa, Jan 6.
The discovery took place during the Islamic commemoration of Ashura, the 10th day of the Islamic year and a voluntary day of fasting. The observance is a major festival of the Shiites, marking the day Moses led the Jews from slavery out of Egypt. The Shiites are the second largest denomination of Islam and celebrate the observance with public displays of mourning, grief, passion plays and speeches.
Since the removal of Sadam Hussein, the event has been marked with an increase in terrorist attacks against the religion.
"We prepare our Soldiers before every mission with a current intelligence briefing," said 1st Lt. Mark Walden, 688th MAC executive officer. "However, when there is a holiday or special event particular caution is taken."
All 890th Eng. Bn. patrols were briefed about the Ashura commemoration before missions began, and the 688th MAC patrol was not surprised when Karadah police signaled at them to stop during their patrol.
The Iraqi police officers had noticed a suspicious concrete block on a street corner which had not been there the day before. Working together, the Iraqi police and 3rd platoon cordoned the area and removed civilians a safe distance away.
The Soldiers then launched the Talon, a remote controlled mechanical robot, to investigate the suspicious object. During the inspection, a chunk of plastic foam was removed to reveal that the object contained an EFP with a cell phone attached as the detonator.
An explosive ordnance disposal team was called to the scene and successfully disrupted and removed the EFP without incident.
Due to the Ashura observance and the location of the device, the patrol believed the EFP was intended for Shiite pilgrims and Iraqi special forces.
"Today we were successful because everyone was doing their job by using situational awareness. Things could have turned out a lot different had no one paid attention to detail," said Sgt. 1st Class Philip Crosby, 3rd Plt., 688th MAC non-commissioned officer in charge. "It is our jobs to clear the roads of threats but also to support the Iraqi forces by offering our assistance whenever we can."
| Date Taken: | 01.06.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 01.16.2009 09:09 |
| Story ID: | 28918 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 161 |
| Downloads: | 149 |
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