Posted on 07/06/2008 11:36:11 AM PDT by SandRat
BAQUBAH — With beads of sweat rolling down their neck, Soldiers from 2nd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, labored away alongside members of the Iraqi Army and Sons of Iraq sweeping suspected Al-Qaida forces out of two separate villages south of Baqubah during Operation Cougar Storm recently.
The operation was designed to deny Al-Qaida forces a place to stage Improvised Explosive Device attacks along key routes that Coalition forces and Iraqi civilians use, as well as establish an Iraqi Army presence in the area, said 1st Lt. Fernando Pelayo, a platoon leader with 2nd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment.
The 2nd Squadron Soldiers along with Iraqi forces were successful in their mission of secured Mullaid and Naquib, two small Iraqi towns just south of Baqubah.
“2nd Squadron cleared Mullaid and Naquib in order to protect the population and reestablish Iraqi security forces and Government of Iraq authority and legitimacy,” said Cpt. Daniel Eickstedt a Fire Support Officer with 2nd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment.
The success of Operation Cougar Storm was an important step in expanding the Government of Iraq’s legitimacy and authority in the area.
“The operation was a success. In addition to clearing the villages of Al-Qaida and expanding GOI authority to the south, over 10 Improvised Explosive Device’s were found and safely detonated on Route Lime. This will give coalition forces and Iraqi security forces greater Freedom of Maneuver in the area,” Eickstedt said.
Another measure in which the operation was a success was how the Iraqi Army and Sons of Iraq took the lead in both clearing and securing the Iraqi villages.
“The Iraqi Army performed extremely well. Iraqi Army Soldiers took the lead in clearing both areas. One IA Soldier lost his life to a House-Borne IED, but the Iraqi Army Soldiers were not deterred. Their country should be proud of their efforts,” said Eickstedt.
I like cougars.
I don’t think the one on the far left qualifies- and I don’t mean age wise.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.