'War Eagles,' Iraqi Civil Defense Corps Team Up for 'Operation Suicide Kings'

Defend America ^ | March 22, 2004 | Sgt. Dan Purcell and Pfc. Erik LeDrew / 122nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Sgt. 1st Class Robert J. Dehart (left) and Sgt. Alex Richardson, 3rd Platoon, Apache Troop, 1st Squadron, 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment, asks tenants to remain in their apartments as an Iraqi Civil Defense Corps squad searches the building during “Operation Suicide Kings," March 17, 2004. U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Erik LeDrew
'War Eagles,' Iraqi Civil Defense Corps Team Up for 'Operation Suicide Kings'
By U.S. Army Sgt. Dan Purcell and Pfc. Erik LeDrew / 122nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
BAGHDAD, Iraq, March 21, 2004 — Some people predicted a long night. But for the soldiers of Apache Troop, 1st Squadron (War Eagle), 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment, it was business as usual -- they just had a few new soldiers joining them on a nighttime mission March 17. The mission was called “Operation Suicide Kings," a combined cordon and search operation involving U.S. and Iraqi Civil Defense Corps soldiers. In preparation for this operation, 40 Iraqi Civil Defense Corps soldiers linked up with their with Apache Troop counterparts to train in “knock-and-search” methods for searching buildings. They also practiced recognizing different types of contraband including material used for making improvised explosive devices. “Each of the platoons will have an [Iraqi Civil Defense Corps] platoon attached to it,” said Capt. James T. Wilson, Apache Troop commander. “Our guys will set up an inner-cordon around the house while the [Iraqi Civil Defense Corps] searches inside. There is no specific target tonight; we won’t be kicking in any doors.” The Iraqi Civil Defense Corps, frequently compared to the U.S. Army’s National Guard, is composed of Iraqi volunteer soldiers who represent all segments of their society and have pledged to serve their communities and country. After the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps company arrived at Apache Troop’s barracks on the afternoon of March 18, it was broken up into smaller sections which joined with 3rd Platoon for pre-mission training and rehearsals. “These guys are squared away. It’s evident that they’re trained-up,” said Staff Sgt. Robert C. Ballard, Bravo Section, 3rd Platoon. With Humvee’s roaring and dust flying, the mission commenced at 9:30 p.m. as Apache Troop rolled-out of their forward operating base’s gate. By 10 p.m., the troopers and Iraqi Civil Defense Corps were on the ground, and Operation Suicide Kings was underway.	“This is sort of a ‘health and welfare’ (inspection) mission. It’s just to make sure they don’t have [improvised explosive device] materials, contraband and terrorist-related items,” Wilson said. By 1:00 a.m., the mission was complete. Despite the occasional sound of gunfire heard from elsewhere in the city, no casualties were sustained and no shots were fired. “We confiscated one AK-47 and one Sten Mark II,” said 1st Lt. Michael Watson, 4th Platoon, describing his platoon’s haul during the mission. “Two Iraqi adult-male civilians were detained because they were found with a box of 60 mm mortar fuses.” Third Platoon seized 15 AK-47 assault rifles and four pistols, said 1st Lt. Edward Ghelardini, platoon leader. “All the weapons we confiscated were in excess of the one weapon they’re allowed to have,” said Sgt. 1st Class Robert J. Dehart, 3rd Platoon. “There are 15 fewer AKs and four less pistols on the streets for them (the enemy) to shoot at us with.” Aside from the captured contraband, perhaps one of the most reassuring aspects of the mission was the cooperation of the people whose houses were searched, Watson said. “The search tonight was successful for two reasons,” he said. “Number one: because a lot of contraband was captured. Number two: an overwhelming majority of the civilians were happy to see us.” For Apache Troop, it’s been a long year in Iraq serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Though the “War Eagle” Squadron Soldiers are close to going home to Fort Polk, La., they know that their mission in Iraq is not over. “Even though we’re close to going home, we ain’t left yet,” said Sgt. Benson Wade, 3rd Platoon. “We’ve been able to continuously bring the fight to them (the enemy). We haven’t become complacent.”

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

After the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps company arrived at Apache Troop’s barracks on the afternoon of March 18, it was broken up into smaller sections which joined with 3rd Platoon for pre-mission training and rehearsals.

“These guys are squared away. It’s evident that they’re trained-up,” said Staff Sgt. Robert C. Ballard, Bravo Section, 3rd Platoon.

The search tonight was successful for two reasons,” he said. “Number one: because a lot of contraband was captured. Number two: an overwhelming majority of the civilians were happy to see us.”

For Apache Troop, it’s been a long year in Iraq serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom. “Even though we’re close to going home, we ain’t left yet,” said Sgt. Benson Wade, 3rd Platoon. “We’ve been able to continuously bring the fight to them (the enemy). We haven’t become complacent.”

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Wareagle Squadron

2d Regiment of Dragoons

http://www.jrtc-polk.army.mil/2acr/Wareagles/index.htm

                          

 Iraq-ization, ping!   

[blackie]

Operation Suicide Kings ~ Bump!

We are winning ~ the bad guys are losing ~ trolls, terrorists, democrats and the mainstream media are sad ~ very sad!

~~ Bush/Cheney 2004 ~~

[Alamo-Girl]

Bump!

[PhilDragoo]

This is sort of a ‘health and welfare’ (inspection) mission. It’s just to make sure they don’t have [improvised explosive device] materials, contraband and terrorist-related items.

Department of Health & Welfare bump.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Bump! (^:

[McGavin999]

It's going to get better and better as the Iraqi people step up and as they realize that we ARE going to hand their country over. Some still don't believe we mean what we say, but more are realizing every day that we do.

[KC_for_Freedom]

Wareagle Squadron

Bump from an Auburn dad.

[windchime]

Bump!