Sgt. Evan Pitchford, Company A, Third Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, looks at one of the American $100 bills from a large amount of cash found on an Iraqi to see if it is real during Operation Swarmer.
PHOTO by Sgt. Ryan Matson
Posted on 03/28/2006 3:26:12 PM PST by SandRat
BAGHDAD (Army News Service, March 27, 2006) – Operation Swarmer wrapped up March 22 and accomplished the tactical objectives set out by combatant commanders on the ground without any casualties, Multinational Force Iraq officials said March 23.
Operation Swarmer was the largest air assault since the initial invasion of Iraq. Company A, 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, “Angels from Hell” were among the most productive units in locating weapons caches and detaining suspected insurgents.
Combined, the company found five caches and detained 18 suspected terrorists during the six-day mission. Capt. Jeff Lesperance said the company thoroughly searched more than 100 houses and questioned more than 200 people in an area about 15 miles wide by 15 miles deep in a rural area northeast of Samarrah, Iraq. Soldiers also found numerous small stashes of additional prohibited weapons and ammunition during their raids.
Hideout variety
Sgt. 1st Class Angelo Lettiere said that the caches his companies found were hidden in a well, a goat pen, in the wall of a building they bulldozed, and in fuel barrels.
“The one cache I found in a well had rocket propelled grenades, scopes, ammunition for various pistols and rifles, TNT, mortar tubes, mortar rounds, and night vision goggles,” said Spc. Patrick O’Brien.
“I liked finding the caches,” said Pvt. Aaron Pildner. “It made me feel real good that I was doing my job, and was part of the operation and was able to help out even if I’m just a private. I was still able to help out.”
Throughout the mission, American Soldiers worked hand-in-hand with the Iraqi Army’s Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Brigade, 4th Division. They marched across the desert terrain together, ate chow together and slept through the cold nights in the sand together, taking turns pulling security as they moved.
Two nations, one mission
First Lt. Adam Scher said he thought working with the Iraqi Army was an advantage.
“They know these areas and they know where to search,” he said. “Their knowledge of the culture and the people is a huge bonus.”
Letteire said he can see the Iraqi Army Soldiers improving as time progresses and the two units continue to work together.
“They feel a sense of pride working with us, and if you ask them they’ll tell you that,” he said.
Lesperance added that he was impressed with the way his troops performed during the operation. Though the company usually conducts mounted joint patrols in Tikrit with the Iraqi Army, he said this type of mission comes naturally to the troops.
“Kicking down doors and searching buildings is what we’re trained to do as infantrymen, and it’s like riding a bike, it all comes back to you,” he said. Lesperance said the media seems to be downplaying the effectiveness of the mission, but he added the things his Soldiers found "saved American and Iraqi lives."
”Even if we would have found no caches or would not have detained any suspects, this mission would have been a success,” Lesperance said. “This mission demonstrated our ability to team with the Iraqi Army and project our force to deter terrorism in Iraq. It denies them safe haven and sanctuary in the desert.
They’ll constantly be looking over their shoulders, hearing helicopters, wondering if we’re coming after them.”
(Editor’s note: Sgt. Ryan Matson serves with 101st Combat Aviation Brigade.)
PING
Operation Swarmer was the largest air assault since the initial invasion of Iraq. Company A, 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, “Angels from Hell” were among the most productive units in locating weapons caches and detaining suspected insurgents.
Operation Swarmer was the largest air assault since the initial invasion of Iraq. Company A, 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, “Angels from Hell” were among the most productive units in locating weapons caches and detaining suspected insurgents.
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