Posted on 09/23/2008 4:24:42 PM PDT by SandRat
QUDS — One… two… three—the signal is given; with a fierce kick, the door crashes open. Before the door makes contact with the adjacent wall, the Emergency Response Battalion 4 flood into the living room of a house in a small village in the eastern region of Mosul, Iraq.
The ER 4 is one of several special tactics units within the Iraqi National Police. ER 4 is comprised of approximately 100 Iraqi Police.
ER 4 applied the training provided to them by Company B, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment during a clearing operation.
We’ve trained units on vehicle searches, marksmanship, dismounted patrolling and detainee procedures, said Capt. Tony Massari, commander for Company B. “I’m confident in the ability of the ISF. They are taking initiative; they’re getting out there, planning missions and ordering clearances.”
U.S. Soldiers helped clear several homes; however, their main mission was to provide guidance and over-watch security while the IP cordoned-off the neighborhood and searched homes door-to-door.
“Today was hands off for us,” said 1st Lt. Douglas Bogdanowitz, a platoon leader for the 1-8 Inf. Regt. We’re here to provide security while the IP conduct business as usual.
Coalition forces are stepping back to allow the IP to step-up and regain control of their neighborhoods.
The Iraqi people respond better when they see one of their own trying to restore the order and peace in their village, said Spc. Eric Allen, radio operator for Company B.
“The Iraqi citizens like to have the presence of the police around; it makes them feel a little more secure,” said 1st Lt. Zachery Brown, a platoon leader with Company B.
IP/TCB
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