Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Walter Van Ochten | Soldiers of Delta Troop, 2nd Squadron, 9th U.S. Cavalry prepare to build a new Iraqi...... read more read more
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Sgt 1st Class Walter E. van Ochten
133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
AD DWAR, Iraq -- Coalition forces responded to a bomb blast with quick and decisive action by building an Iraqi Police check-point on the very spot that the bomb had exploded.
Members of 2nd Squadron, 9th U.S. Cavalry attached to the Rakkasans of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division were targeted by an improvised explosive device while they patrolled outside the city of Ad Dawr, Iraqi.
To make sure that it never happens again, the Cavalry put up the new Iraqi Police check-point only a few hours after the attack. The new check point would give the IP better control over the three road intersection where the IED had been placed.
According to 2-9th Cav. Commander, Lt. Col. Lou Lartique, IEDs are a public safety issue that the IP need to stop.
This was the second occurrence of an IED attack at that location, said Lartigue. After the first one, he held a professional development session with the IP who then came up with a plan to stop a similar attack. Lartigue went along with the plan but cautioned that if it did not work he would have to step in and make some changes.
After the blast, the 2-9th Cav. acted quickly, evacuating an injured Soldier and securing the blast site. He had suffered only a minor concussion.
According to the unit's after action reports, a search for those responsible came up empty. They did, however, determine that the IED was two buried 155mm artillery rounds that were remote detonated.
Lartique and the local Iraqi Police commander had a brief conference about what happened and the best course of action to prevent yet another incident at this problematic section of road.
Lartigue decided to move an IP observation point from a nearby building to where the bomb had gone off.
"After that blast we were determined to interview all the police. We brought the police chief to that spot and told him we were going to build a check-point right on the road and made it clear that the security of this [area] is his responsibility" said Lartique.
The citizens of Ad Dawr were notified of the new checkpoint over a mobile loud speaker system mounted on a Humvee. The message advised the civilian population of the dangers of IEDs, not only to Coalition Forces but to the Iraqi Army, Iraqi Police and local civilians. The message went on to say that the road would be closed to public traffic if the IEDs continued.
As the sun was setting, Delta troop arrived with the need supplies to build what they called a "hasty check point".
According to Capt. Dave Buehler, Forward Support Company commander, the total construction time, from on the scene to functional and manned check point, was just over an hour and a half, which was five hours from time of detonation.
The fast response was a way of getting the IP into a better position to secure the intersection through their presence.
"This was kind of a statement to the IPs" said Lartique
The IP need to use their power to take control of Ad Dawr, said Lartigue. The IP are now in a position, with the strength and assets needed for them to stop attacks like this one.
"I'm holding the [IP] responsible for the security of this town" said Lartigue.
| Date Taken: | 03.02.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 03.02.2006 16:27 |
| Story ID: | 5575 |
| Location: | AD DWAR, IQ |
| Web Views: | 197 |
| Downloads: | 22 |
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