| BAGHDAD, Iraq, Dec. 30, 2003 - Just days after the capture of Saddam Hussein by coalition forces, 1st Armored Division soldiers continued driving forward to help liberate the Iraqi people from terrorist activity in their own backyard.
More than 500 paratroopers from the 2nd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, which is attached to the Germany-based U.S. 1st Armored Division, halted traffic on Highway 8 and cordoned off all escapes avenues during Operation Choke Hold in the Al Rashid District of southern Baghdad recently, in hopes of discovering illegal activities on one of Baghdad's busiest highways. Although Hussein has been captured, Col. Kurt Fuller, 2nd Brigade commander, said there are many operations still to be done. "We are still out there running offensive operations and rounding up these guys and interrogating them and having those interrogations lead to the capture of more bad guys. Everybody knows we are making a difference," he said. "We are not packing our bags and going home just because he was captured. There are still bad guys out there and, as long as they are terrorizing soldiers and Iraqis, our job isn't done here. It's still business as usual." With increased improvised explosive device attacks against coalition forces and Iraqis, Operation Choke Hold and similar operations help commanders disrupt the terrorists' ability to bring device-making material into Baghdad, a city of more than five million people. "We are attempting to locate people who are transporting illegal weapons, equipment or [improvised explosive devices] into our area of operations," said Capt. Sam Mokhiber, brigade plans officer. With the increasing numbers of attacks on coalition forces on Highway 8, Mokhiber said the choice of any operational targets comes from a variety of sources. "Targets are nominated by the battalion, other governmental agencies and special operations soldiers," he said. With different sources of intelligence given to brigade intelligence officers, planners are able to make the best decision with the best possible outcome, Mokhiber said. "In the end, we want the bad guys off the streets," he said. "We can disrupt enemy attacks by attempting to disrupt the flow of these illegal weapons and equipment being transported in and out of the city." Although the best end result would be a large amount of weapons being confiscated, just having U.S. paratroopers out in force on the roads in Baghdad is a deterrent for anyone thinking of committing a crime, he said. With a good plan and intelligence in hand, the "Blue Falcons" of third battalion, quickly put into motion Operation Choke Hold. Wearing mud-covered uniforms and vehicles muddied from the previous days of rain, paratroopers from the Falcon brigade spent the early afternoon cleaning their weapons and making |
The Bush Doctrine marches on, changing the world for the better and leaving the DemocRATS to march into the abyss.
