Operation Powder River

FORWARD OPERATING BASE MACKENZIE, IRAQ

01.24.2005

Courtesy Story

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Story by: Spc. Joe Alger

FORWARD OPERATING BASE MACKENZIE, Iraq - Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 4th U.S. Cavalry and the 203rd Iraqi Army Battalion put a major dent in insurgent activity in their area of operations after "Operation Powder River."

The operation, which began on Dec. 31 and concluded on Jan. 11, was conducted in order to discover caches and improvised explosive devices hidden throughout the villages of Ad Duluiyah and Al Montessim and the island of Hawija.

According to Staff. Sgt. Christopher Massey, 1-4 Cav. Tactical Operations Center noncommissioned officer, the operation was conducted in two parts. The first phase, conducted by alpha company, was a full sweep of the Hawija Island. While the dismounted patrols searched the island for caches and several target individuals, vehicle checkpoints were set up around the island to cordon it off. In addition, OH 58-D Kiowa Warrior Helicopters provided security for the river ensuring nobody attempted to cross it.

Phase two, which was conducted by Bravo Company in the villages of Ad Duluiyah and Al Montessim incorporated the same basic principals as phase one.

"We conducted a series of intelligence-driven raids and after that, flooded the zone with Iraqi Army and U.S. Soldiers searching for caches," said Cpt. Nathan Springer, 1-4 Cav. S-1.

While out patrolling the villages during the operation, the 1-4 Cav. Soldiers also had several additional missions.

"Part of the operation is going to different houses throughout the villages and gathering intel," said Sfc. Charles Nieding, Headquarters Platoon Sgt. B. Co. 1-4 Cav.

"While we're at each house, we gather information including their name, tribe, job and grid number. We try to have the IA Soldiers do the majority of the intel gathering.

Meanwhile, while they're getting that information, we do a quick walk around the property looking for anything suspicious."

In addition, Nieding said the 1-4 Cav. Soldiers have a medic with them to provide assistance to any of the villagers who are ill.

Once they have hit every house in the area the, 1-4 Cav. Soldiers continue to search through the many orchards of the villages for the elusive weapons cache, a search Nieding said is like trying to find "a needle in a haystack."

Soldiers from B Co., 1-4 Cav., and the 203rd IA Battalion were fortunate enough to discover one such needle near Al Montessim on Jan. 11.

The cache, which contained 23x 1.55mm rounds, 30x RPG's, 25x grenades, 10lbs.x C4 with blasting caps, fuses, white phosphorus and 3x AK-47's, was a "great find," according to Staff. Sgt. James Tremblock, Section Sgt., B Co. 1-4 Cav.

"Finding this means less Soldiers will be killed in the long run," Tremblock said. "This is the first major one we've found since the operation began, we've found a few sporadic things people shouldn't have had, but nothing like this."

Tremblock said the cache, which was discovered with a mine detector and a lot of digging, was found in the last area of interest they were clearing for the operation.

"We've been conducting the operation the last four days and we've covered a lot of ground, roughly eight kilometers," Tremblock said. He added the IA Soldiers conducting the operation were a big help and were extremely excited when the cache was uncovered.

Two individuals, one of who was seen fleeing the scene of the cache, were detained for questioning.

The cache was one of 13 discovered by the 1-4 Cav. Soldiers over the course of the operation. Many of which, according to Springer, were located only a few hundred meters from main routes.

"The weapons in these caches that were discovered would have been easily accessible to anyone who wanted to attack one of our convoys," Springer said.

With the stakes that high, the Soldiers from 1-4 Cav. will not rest until they have found every needle in every haystack.

• Date Taken: 01.24.2005
• Date Posted: 01.24.2005 13:46
• Story ID: 909
• Location: FORWARD OPERATING BASE MACKENZIE, IQ