Story and photos by Spc. Gretel Sharpee
MOSUL, Iraq- When the Soldiers of 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division took over operations in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul from their Stryker brothers of 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, many did not expect to see the increased level of combat that has occurred in their area of operation.
Nevertheless, these Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) have proven their mettle to the insurgents operating in Mosul and demonstrated that they are a fierce and unyielding force.
"The guy that I replaced said that he went through a can of ammunition the whole time he was here, and that was what I was kind of expecting," said Staff Sgt. Romaine Black, .50 caliber gunner for Bravo Company, 1-24. "But I have used a can of .50 caliber ammunition in the last three days, and it is something that I am still adjusting to."
During the second week in November, 1-24 or "Deuce Four" Soldiers executed sustained combat operations on the western side of Mosul.
Multinational Forces had seen a recent increase in violent activity during the religious holiday of Ramadan from mid-October through mid-November. Western Mosul is also an area that the MNF had long suspected anti-Iraqi forces were using to launch attacks on U.S. and Iraqi patrols and bases.
On Nov. 10, insurgent activity spiked throughout Mosul. Insurgents were targeting Iraqi Police Stations and other Iraqi Security forces. Immediately responding to the insurgent attacks, Deuce Four and the rest of the Lancer Brigade maneuvered to take the fight to enemy, launching several coordinated offensive attacks in the most dangerous parts of the city.
The fight lasted throughout most of the afternoon of the tenth, and at the end of the day, no police stations were in the hands of insurgents and a restless calm had been returned to the city.
The fight continued on Nov. 11, Veteran's Day, 2004. But this time, the Soldiers of Deuce Four had the initiative. They were going into a neighborhood known for harboring insurgents and their mission was to kill or capture the enemy in a movement to contact operation.
Companies C and B were going to be responsible to set the cordon around the neighborhood and Company A Soldiers would move through the area, clearing each building of anti-Iraqi forces as they went.
"Our main objective is to secure terrain, and then we focus on the terrorists," said Lt. Col. Michael Kurilla, 1-24 Battalion Commander. "We are not on a defense mission today. We are moving to contact. We will find them."
Those strong and decisive statements from the Deuce Four commander underscored his intent for this operation'take the fight to the enemy. His Soldiers recognized the intensity of their commander and matched it with their own intensity as they prepared to move out.
Like stirring a hornet's nest, as soon as Multinational Forces and Iraqi Security forces entered the area, small arms and mortar fire erupted from within the cordon, with enemy fighters positioned on roof tops throughout the area. On the outer perimeter, Company B was continually attacked with small arms and mortar fire throughout the five-hour operation.
However, the enemy attacks were no match for the men of Deuce Four. They immediately returned fire, launching a TOW missile into a building identified as an enemy firing position.
As a result of the efforts of Deuce Four and Iraqi Security forces, calm and stability returned to most of the city following the two days of fighting.
While isolated fighting and pockets of insurgency continued throughout the next few days, Iraqi Security forces and the local Iraqi government controlled the city.
Soldiers in Deuce Four know that their mission is to help maintain stability and security in Mosul.
They also know that what they do is critical to future of this city.
"I hope that the Iraqi people will see us each and every day carrying out our mission and see that we are doing this for them too," said Spc. Joseph Miller, from Company B.
Spc. Miller also recognizes that without each other and strong leadership, they wouldn't be able to succeed in their mission here.
"This is my second time in Iraq and these are some of the best leaders I have ever worked with. With them with me, I know I can do my job and look forward to going home."
The Soldiers of 1-24 Infantry are taking the fight to the enemy and winning in some of the heaviest fighting Mosul has seen since the ground war began in March 2003.
But the combat hardened veterans of Deuce Four won't rest on their successes anytime soon. They will continue in this fight until the insurgent attacks stop, the Iraqi Police have been fully reestablished, and the citizens of Mosul can go about their daily lives in peace and security.
| Date Taken: | 12.08.2004 |
| Date Posted: | 12.08.2004 14:28 |
| Story ID: | 710 |
| Location: | MOSUL, IQ |
| Web Views: | 1,172 |
| Downloads: | 31 |
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