Iraqi army tests new equipment, scours village for buried cache

Photo By Sgt. Rebekah Lampman | An Iraqi army soldier with the 1st Battalion, 1st Brigade, 3rd Iraqi Army Division provides overwatch security from his vehicle while another IA soldier provides security from a hilltop in the distance during a mission conducted in Muhallabiyah, March 5.  

04.16.2007

Story by Pfc. Rebekah Lampman 

4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs

By Sgt. Paula Taylor
4th BCT, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs

MUHALLABIYAH, Iraq – Several soldiers assigned to the 1st Battalion, 1st Brigade, 3rd Iraqi Army Division, took the lead once again and conducted their own mission in the early-morning hours of March 5.

The purpose of the mission was to search the village for anything suspicious, like caches or explosives. Barrels of homemade explosives had been found there before by previous patrols.

During the mission, the Iraqi army got a chance to test and practice with new equipment.

"We know the bad guys use [different locations] to hide their bombs and their weapons, but with the new equipment, they can't do that anymore," said Capt. Ra'ad, intelligence officer, 1st Bn., 1st Bde., 3rd IA Div. "Now we can discover their caches anywhere."

Although no significant caches were found in the village, Ra'ad considered the mission a success and was proud of his men's ability to adapt to the challenges they face daily.

"I'll tell you, our soldiers are good soldiers; they are great soldiers. With just a little more practice using their new equipment, they will be perfect at using it. We are winning the war against the bad guys. We will continue doing that," he said.

Coalition forces agreed with Ra'ad and praised the IA for their bravery and tenacity.

"I've seen them in action," said Pfc. Cary Hawkins, Troop C, 3rd Battalion, 4th Cavalry Regiment and Deerfield, Mass., native. "They are self-reliant. There's been a couple of times I've been out on a street corner pulling security and I looked to my left and saw my squad leader, then looked to my right and saw one of those guys. It's a good feeling. I enjoy having them around. They're good at their job and they're competent."

Hawkins, who has been in country with his unit for about eight months, said he has had several opportunities to work with the IA soldiers and has enjoyed his experiences.

"They've got good camaraderie with each other. They're willing to die for each other, just like American Soldiers. Every time I walk up to a group of them, we joke around and have a good time together. They're really great guys. I treat them like they're my buddies and they treat me the same. I don't think they get nearly enough credit."

While the town was being searched, coalition forces waited just outside the city limits.

"Our element was there in case anything got out of control for them," explained Sgt. William Schmidt, infantryman, Troop C, 3rd Bn., 4th Cav. Regt., and a Clara City, Minn., native. "If they came under fire or there was anything they couldn't handle, we could have come in and assisted. They're pretty competent. You can see them progressing, pretty well too. They, as much as anyone, want a free country and they know the price they'll have to pay for it."

• Date Taken: 04.16.2007
• Date Posted: 04.16.2007 13:20
• Story ID: 9934