Posted on 01/19/2004 10:54:48 AM PST by xzins
First raids of 2004 not quite Mardi Gras
BAQUBAH, Iraq — It wasn’t exactly the place for strings of beads and parade floats, but when they were done, Task Force Ironhorse Soldiers had something to celebrate.
In the first Iraqi raids conducted by Coalition forces in the new year, Operation Sugar Bowl took 4th Infantry Division’s 2nd Brigade Combat Team into target areas identified as Bourbon Street, New Orleans and the French Quarter.
Lining up their convoys at Camp Scunion just after midnight, the infantrymen, tankers and scouts had just enough time to wish each other a happy New Year before rolling out for Bazool village, known to the troops as “Little Beirut.”
The first operation of 2004, honoring the football game held in the States, also saw the addition of soldiers from the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps — an Iraqi military element that augments U.S. forces.
“We integrated the ICDC into squads of nine infantry and three ICDC soldiers,” said Lt. Col. Joe Martin, commander of the 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment. “This is the next level of training and integration for them.”
Some 150 U.S. Soldiers, 30 ICDC soldiers and 400 Iraqi police officers participated in the operation early on the first day. The objective was to locate and stop a traditional Sunni-Muslim militant group.
“A Wahabi terror cell has been active in Baqubah and the surrounding area transporting … and selling weapons to raise money,” said Capt. Brian McCarthy, the battalion operations officer. “They have planned, coordinated and executed attacks, both IEDs [improvised explosive devices] and direct fire, against Coalition forces.”
Under the cover of darkness, the group of Soldiers and police moved to the village hoping to find the targeted individuals at home asleep in the early morning hours, said Martin.
“We have been blessed to have the lights out so long,” he said.
The American Soldiers and ICDC troops secured the perimeter and searched a small group of houses in the village while the local police searched almost 400 apartments.
“It is best to have the Iraqi police go through the apartments,” said Pvt. Guelot Daccueil, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion. “They know better where the hiding places are and how to handle the people.”
In the same spirit, the battalion commander kept tight control of where the Soldiers under his control were allowed to go.
“No American personnel will enter the mosque without the permission of the commander on the ground,” Martin told the infantrymen. “We will use the ICDC to clear the mosque.”
The Iraqis supporting the operation not only performed their mission, but they also gained valuable training for future operations as well.
“The Iraqi police, ICDC and Coalition forces were able to ensure the village was cleared,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Ernest Barnett Jr., the battalion’s sergeant major. “The Iraqi police integrated into the civil operations to improve their tactics, techniques and procedures.”
Operation Sugar Bowl proved to be a winner for the Soldiers of the 2nd Bde.
The raids netted 27 high-value targets, or Iraqis, wanted for anti-Coalition activities, 90 AK-47 assault rifles, two RPK machine guns, 50 pounds of C-4 plastique explosives, 50 pounds of dynamite and 500 blasting caps. Much of the C-4 and dynamite was found on five of the detainees.
“It is great to get this stuff off the street,” said Martin. “This is the stuff that kills Soldiers.”
Posted due to the interesting wording.
The first operation of 2004, honoring the football game held in the States, also saw the addition of soldiers from the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps — an Iraqi military element that augments U.S. forces.
First time the ICDC went on raids with our troops, as well. Progress.
Me, too.
That fascinated me when I read it.
Since Wahabbi is the main variety of Islam exported and active in the US, supported by the Saudis, then it certainly makes one pause, doesn't it?
It also provides (explains) an ISLAMIC avenue of influence between Al Qaeda and Iraq.
Other than that, the picture of this operation unfolding in this article caught my attention.
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