Task Force Liberty ‘Glory Guns’ light up the night
An illumination round fired from the Paladin track vehicle descends toward the ground in the distance near Samarra, Iraq. Blackanthem.com
SAMARRA, IRAQ, June 10, 2005 -- In the middle of the night, a loud explosion rips through the darkness. A few seconds later, and a few kilometers away, the ground is lit up by a light in the sky.
Enemies who were depending on the cover of darkness now have no place to hide. This is made possible by Soldiers of B Battery, 1st Battalion, 41st Field Artillery Regiment.
"Tonight we are going to fire two different kinds of rounds," said 1st Lt. John Dorffeld, a B Battery 1/41 FA platoon leader. "We have two guns we are taking with us, and each one will fire in a different direction, giving us a good lateral spread."
"We were given a mission to supply illumination coverage for the (Iraqi Ministry of Interior) during Operation Forsyth Park," said Sgt. 1st Class Mark Lowry, B battery 1/41 platoon sergeant.
Illumination coverage lights up the area for ground troops so they have more situational awareness, Lowry said. "We were taking back the night from the terrorists."
The illumination round has several different purposes, the most important being the identification of enemy targets, Lowry said.
"We had a good function of all the illumination rounds, with chief coverage of a grid area. We have an observer out there with sight of six or eight kilometers," Lowry said. "When the round bursts he uses it to identify targets. We also use the round as a distraction for the enemy. The enemy will look up and watch the round. It also gives us an idea of who is doing something wrong. You can’t really hear the round until it is right over you, and by then it is too late for them to disguise what they are doing."
The artillery Soldiers got the intelligence for their area of fire from a group of special scouts who observed the area well before the fire mission. "We were firing on predetermined targets," Lowry said. "Our fire support element got information from the (long range surveillance detachment) that there was high insurgent activity in the area."
After the illumination rounds, 1/41 tested 15 rocket- assisted projectiles. A RAP goes beyond what a regular round could reach due to the rocket propulsion.
"It will go two or three kilometers further, depending on the size of the charge, which increases our range," Lowry said. "Not only does this keep our Soldiers safer, but it saves time on having to move forward to engage targets that under normal circumstances would be out of our range."
The platoon command team considered the mission a success for several different reasons.
"It was a very successful night," Lowry said. "For one, it was a different operation that we don’t normally get to do. Our main mission is terrain denial and counter-fire so this was a morale booster for the Soldiers."
Artillery elements are powerful and destructive, so a great deal of preparation goes into a fire mission. Soldiers make every effort to avoid damaging anything not expected in the impact area.
"We have to go out there and observe an area and make sure we don’t kill a guy trying to repair an irrigation ditch. We are trying to make allies, not enemies and if we make the whole country suffer we aren’t going to be able to accomplish that. Neither can we do that if we are causing damage to Iraqi property."
Task Force Liberty and Iraqi army conduct night air assault
Blackanthem.com
AL MUKHISA, Iraq - June 10, 2005
Soldiers, by the hundreds, surround the town of Al Mukhisa and move closer, tightening their grip on the anti-Iraqi forces living there. One by one, helicopters land and armored vehicles move in during the largest air assault mission since the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom III.
"Our intent was to capture insurgents that have been operating in this area," said Lt. Col. Roger Cloutier, the battalion commander of the 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, Task Force Liberty. "We are here to prevent them from becoming a coherent, organized force."
Children in tattered clothes and dirt on their faces line the streets as Bradley fighting vehicles rumble through the town. A little girl, no more than five years old, stands barefoot in the dirt as attack helicopters patrol the skies, the pink bow in her hair faded and torn.
"Elements from my battalion and the 205th Iraqi Army Battalion led the air assault," Cloutier said. "The ground assault was led by 2nd Battalion, 34th Armor Regiment and a scout platoon from the 205th Iraqi Army Battalion. We also had close air support from the Air Force."
Coalition Forces and Iraqi army soldiers conduct searches of houses looking for illegal weapons, explosives, anti-Coalition propaganda and any information that will lead them to the insurgents. As they walk from door to door, they pass out candy and smile at the children.
Lt. Col. Cloutier came with a clear message: help us, or help the terrorists. A large group of local townspeople gathered to hear what he has to say. "We are here to build you schools, we are here to build you hospitals and we are here to make sure your water is clean," Cloutier said holding out his hand. "We cannot do these things if you continue to harbor terrorists."
As he spoke, Bradley fighting vehicles rolled past the group. A U.S. Air Force F-15 fighter jet does a fly-by of the area and all sound is drowned out from the jet engine roaring past.
"I will leave this town if you do not tell us where they are hiding." Cloutier said as he talked with them for several minutes trying to get them to cooperate. "You give me no choice." As he turned to leave, there was fear and doubt on the faces of the crowd.
"The local population appears reticent in cities that have a lot of insurgent activity," Cloutier said. "They are afraid because if they are seen talking with Coalition Forces, they, or their families will be targeted by terrorists after we leave."
Soldiers started to pull back and walk toward the edge of town, continuing to pass out pamphlets and handshakes as the children smiled and waved.
"A Soldier in Iraq has to be ready to fight one second and then transition to handing out leaflets, passing out candy, or just helping the local population," Cloutier said. "It is a challenge and we ask a lot from our Soldiers and I think they are doing a great job."
An Iraqi civilian steps forward with information about insurgents. He is quiet and nervous, but compelled by the freedom Coalition Forces are providing. "We came here expecting to fight," Cloutier said. "Anti-Iraqi-forces chose not to do that today and there was cooperation today from the local population. Many suspected insurgents were detained. Four of the 44 that we detained were on our high-valued individuals list."
As Coalition Forces prepare to leave, the Iraqi army continues to search houses and check identification cards. There is a calm in the air as the Iraqi civilians and the Iraqi army politely talk and cooperate with each other, taking steps toward a free Iraq.
"My Soldiers and the Iraqi army did phenomenally today," Cloutier said. "They were motivated, disciplined and well-trained." Hugs and handshakes are exchanged as the Iraqi army takes over the mission.
"This has been a particularly challenging mission," said Col. Steven Salazar, 3rd Brigade Combat Team commander. "Our intent was to come in and disrupt the operations of the anti-Iraqi forces. It is clear by this successful joint operation, that we have done this."
"Third Brigade works with the Iraqi army every day," he added. "As we conduct more and more operations in the future, they will continue to get better. The 205th Iraqi Army Battalion is the most proficient in Iraq."
Cloutier stated that he plans on coming back to this town to sit down and discuss future projects with the leaders of the town and the townspeople.
"The Iraqi people have spoken and they have chosen their government," Cloutier said. "I would tell the terrorists that it is time to come in from the cold. Fight your battles with ballots, not bullets."