Iraqi, Coalition forces gain support

Multi-National Forces-Iraq ^ | Spc. Ryan Stroud

[SandRat]

BAQOUBA — Iraqi and Coalition forces conducted a cordon and knock in Hadid, Iraq, to gather intelligence on terrorist activity April 21.

“When we have no intelligence driving an operation, we inform the [Iraqi Army] leaders that this is more of a presence-type mission [where] you knock on the doors, and [find out] what information they can give you,” said U.S. Maj. Dominique Dionne, the Military Transition Team leader.

The 1st Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army led the way into Hadid along with U.S. Soldiers from the 3rd “Grey Wolf” Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, which formed the MiTT, to meet with the city’s citizens and gather information about the presence of al-Qaeda within the city.

“The main reason the mission was [a cordon and knock and not a cordon and search] was because we didn’t have specific targets,” said Dionne.

As operations in Iraq continue, the purpose of the MiTT is to help Iraqi security forces gain experience to conduct missions with less Coalition support.

“We were starting to see a lot more improvised explosive devices while traveling down [the roads toward the village],” said U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Patrick Gage, a member of the unit.

The cordon and knock was considered a success when the townspeople told the security forces about a small cache of weapons and two potential vehicle-borne IEDs.

“[Through the help of the citizens,] we did capture some weapons and ammunition,” said U.S. Army Capt. Brian Slotnick of the unit’s support batallion.

According to Gage, al-Qaeda activity was not necessarily conducted, but planned in the neighborhood.

“We found, as well as received, a lot of helpful information from the mission,” said Gage. “A lot of our suspicions were confirmed.”

With the success of the cordon and knock, Iraqi security forces are gaining support from earned confidence of the Iraqi people in Hadid.

“When we got in the city and talked to many of the community leaders and teachers, they were saying the people do not like the al-Qaeda, and the majority of the people want the IA and the [Iraqi Police] in there patrolling to keep the bad people out,” said Dionne.

Since the MiTT has been working with the IA battalion, Dionne said they are helping them understand how important it is to interact face-to-face with the neighborhoods.

“The Iraqi NCO corps is starting to step up and take charge of things they never did in the past,” he said. “That’s really helping them out and making the mission an even greater success.”

As leadership in Iraqi security forces improves, the Iraqi Army is expected to rely on Coalition support even less.

“The big thing is to put the IA in the lead,” Dionne said. “It will help convince the IA to conduct more patrols in the town now that they know the population supports them.”

(U.S. Army story by Spc. Ryan Stroud, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs)

[SandRat]

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Republicans are really missing the boat when they fail to point out the importance of Saddam’s execution and Bush’s resolve in getting cooperation from the locals.