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Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, combined their efforts to conduct a cordon and knock mission. Operation Half Nelson, part of Operation Together Forward, began when MND-B and Iraqi Security Forces blocked off a small area, established a security perimeter and spoke with local citizens, who voluntarily opened a dialogue with MND-B and Iraqi forces. “Today’s mission was to conduct a cordon and knock in order to gather information on suspects who have been implicated in sectarian violence,” said 1st Lt. Jacob Hughes, platoon leader, Company A, 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment. “The people are saying that things have gotten a lot better ever since we came in and began working together with the Iraqi army. It’s good to see that children can walk to school without being escorted by adults.” “The U.S. Army soldiers enjoy working with the Iraqi army,” Hughes said. “Obviously, there are language barriers, but we have developed a special bond with the Iraqi strike platoon. We are all soldiers, and we are doing the same thing – making the people of Baghdad feel safe.” |
