"Pimp My Stryker"
Posted on 11/12/2005 3:48:57 AM PST by Jet Jaguar
Soldiers of the 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry from the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team have been bringing down some big names in the terrorist organization al-Qaida.
The 2-1 is stationed mainly in Mosul and have captured more than 180 suspected terrorists in the nearly three months since the brigade left Alaska. Lt. Col. Charles Webster, commander of the 2-1, spoke with reporters Thursday from Iraq and described a recent operation that he said crippled an al-Qaida cell in Mosul.
Webster said since the brigade arrived in Iraq in August and in Mosul a few weeks later, soldiers have found what he dubs the "Opel Gang" to be particularly bothersome. While soldiers patrol the chaotic urban war zone of Mosul, they are often hounded by groups of compact cars loaded with insurgents and small arms.
They prowl the streets in their Opels, attacking Stryker convoys and patrols and shooting at soldiers before outmaneuvering the Stryker vehicles and disappearing through the alleys and avenues.
"Our Strykers are maneuverable but they're not as maneuverable as a small four-door car," Webster said.
But about two weeks ago, soldiers made an arrest that Webster believes has begun the group's downfall. Webster said soldiers were able to capture three members associated with the Opel Gang after an altercation. They were questioned and Webster said one of the men provided valuable information about the structure of the gang, how the gang received weapons, where the gang's cars were parked, how the gang was financed and the names of some leaders.
Several hours later, Webster said a different platoon from the 2-1 was fighting suspected terrorists when the driver of a blue Oldsmobile was wounded in crossfire and taken by locals to a hospital. The driver was suspected to be a bystander, but when soldiers searched the car, they found two sets of identification. The soldiers recognized the name as the principal financier of the Opel Gang, named by the detainee hours earlier.
"That name rang a bell from information of the informant from before," Webster said.
Webster said soldiers were immediately dispatched to the hospital to detain the suspect. When the arrived, the suspect already had four visitors. The soldiers also recognized the names of the visitors, and two others who arrived soon after, as members of the gang. The suspects were all detained and the wounded suspect was moved to a U.S. combat support hospital where Webster said he is receiving treatment under U.S. guard.
Webster credited the efficiency of his soldiers in getting and distributing the information.
"It's takes a lot of work to find the right guy," Webster said.
Within three days, Webster said it was apparent soldiers had dealt a major blow to the cell. He said drive-by shootings around Mosul have been reduced significantly. He said one unit, not from the brigade, recently conducted a dismounted patrol for four hours in one of the most dangerous areas. They reported to Webster that it was the first time in a year soldiers did not take fire while on patrol.
The 2-1 was also involved in the demise of another al-Qaida terrorist cell leader and his assistant who were involved in at least three videotaped beheadings.
Nashwan Mijhim Muslet and Nahi Achmed Obeid Sultan were killed Oct. 22 during a 2-1 raid of a suspected safe house. Muslet was a senior operational al-Qaida cell leader who worked specifically in the Mosul area. His cell recorded the beheading of at least three Mosul residents. Nashwan was also responsible for attacking Iraqi security and coalition forces and threatening Mosul residents through roadblocks, extortion and kidnappings, military officials said.
On Thursday, Webster highlighted the U.S. forces' relationship with local citizens, police and military. Webster said with the 2-1 working in and around Mosul, he has the support of two Iraqi Army battalions, which total 1,000 soldiers, and the cooperation of three police district chiefs and a police force of about 800. He said the soldiers work with the police and Army on a daily basis. They are able to the help the soldiers learn the neighborhoods and delicate cultural differences.
"We couldn't do our business without the local Iraqis," he said. "The information they give us is incredible."
Staff writer Margaret Friedenauer can be reached at 459-7545 or mfriedenauer@newsminer.com .
It's a Qennedy quagmire ...
A failed Bush war plan ...
This can't be true.
Well done Colonel. Keep up the good work! Alaska and America are very proud of all of your guys and the hard work you are doing for our country.
I couldn't help but admire how the truth has been shutting the mouths of the naysayers.
Senator Kennedy already has the blood of millions -- Vietnamese, Loas and Cambodians -- on his hands, if not on his conscience. Unlike his brother John, he has never seen a tyrant he couldn't embrace. Americans should remember that after Ronald Reagan was elected in 1980 Kennedy sent Senator John Tunney to Moscow as his personal envoy to talk with the Kremlin, and with KGB participants, informing them that he and his party could handle the newly-elected warmonger.
And 2-1 Infantry was also the first unit I was assigned to in the Army. A long, long time ago. Semper Primus--Always First.
The 2-1 of the 172nd Strykers is my nephew's unit. I am so proud of these fine troops.
Thanks for posting this article.
Maybe Monster Garage should do a week in Mosul.
"Pimp My Stryker"
I was thinking more of an up armored and gunned fleet of Lancer Evolutions. You know there would be volunters.
God Bless him. They're kicking butt in a difficult part of Iraq.
The Second Battalion of the U.S. Army's First Infantry Regiment has a long & storied history (obviously). Way back when (and maybe still), newly assigned soldiers had to go through an orientation that included an NCO showing the unit colors with dozens of battle streamers and being told a couple centuries worth of unit history.
When they come back from Iraq, your nephew will be there when they attach yet another battle streamer to those colors--one that he helped earn. And he can be proud to know that his streamer will be up there next to those earned by 2-1 soldiers at Lundy's Lane & the Battle of New Orleans on up thru Vicksburg, the Phillippine Insurrection, WWII, and Vietnam.
I like that too.
As each terror cell disappears in Iraq, the MSM is going to find it more difficult to generate bad news.
Ted Kennedy has a sign taped to his back. It says "FOOL".
Or copy some of those old B movies that showed the heroes on specially designed dirt-bikes with rocket launchers and machine guns.
Good old-fashioned Yankee ingenuity is what we need.
Me too. As well as PIMP MY ABRAMS
Yep, now if the Jars would only learn how to roll up sleeves correctly. ;>)
I'm willing to concede that the soldiers know how to roll up their sleeves. It is, after all, a simple thing. If only they knew what to do after their sleeves are rolled up.
It wouldn't really matter if these were American Marines, Soldiers, Sailors, or Airmen the job would get done.
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.