By Maj. Chad Carroll
4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division
CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq – Iraqi army soldiers conducted an air assault, Aug. 30, 2008, to apprehend four criminals connected to attacks against Iraqi and coalition forces in the Dhi Qar and Maysan provinces.
Soldiers of the 3rd Battalion, 38th Brigade, 10th Iraqi Army Division conducted the mission with assistance from Soldiers assigned to Company A, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Long Knife Brigade in the southeastern Iraqi province of Maysan.
The operation included more than 100 Iraqi and U.S. Soldiers, multiple UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters and several wheeled vehicles.
"The use of coalition forces' helicopters was a great help in the mission," said 1st Lt. Abu Hussein, an Iraqi platoon leader. "I look forward to working with the coalition forces more in the future."
The Iraqi soldiers currently have custody of the four criminals.
"The fact that this complex air assault operation was planned and executed by the Iraqi army demonstrates their progress in recent weeks," said Chief Warrant Officer 3 John Deming, tactical air operations officer for 4th BCT, 1st Cav. Div..
Deming coordinated with the Iraqi unit to ensure all necessary elements were in place for the operation. Iraqi soldiers also seized various small arms and munitions at the scene.