Iraqi Army Commandos Secure Owesat

Multi-National Force - Iraq ^ | Pfc. Evan Loyd, USA

[SandRat]

Local Sons of Iraq security volunteers greet Lt. Col. Ayoob (right), commander, Commando Battalion, 17th Iraqi Army brigade, during Operation Al Sakar in the Owesat area, April 12. Photo by Pfc. Evan Loyd, 1st Armored Division.

BAGHDAD — The Iraqi Army (IA) took the lead in conducting Operation Al-Sakar, a combined Iraqi/U.S. counterinsurgency operation in the Owesat area southwest of here, April 12. The purpose of the operation was to clear weapons, find any hidden explosives and capture insurgents in the area.

"The Owesat area is void of a Coalition forces presence and is a potential location to move accelerants into the Baghdad area," said Lt. Col. Brian Eifler, commander, 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment. "The objective of this mission was to destabilize any AQI and other terrorist organization operations in the Owesat area."

The cornerstone of any counterinsurgency effort is establishing security for the local population and controlling the area. Once security is stable, a long-term presence can be implemented to facilitate the basic needs of the people.

The joint task forces began the operation in the early morning hours with an air-assault insertion to secure and defend the objective.

"We wanted to surprise any insurgents and show them that nowhere is safe from the combined ISF and Coalition forces," said Eifler. "We can surround an area in minutes with little to no warning and that we can do it anytime."

During the mission the joint task force cleared a total of six square kilometers, found five 152-mm rounds and detained several individuals.

"Today's mission was a success not only in what we found but in our building relationships with the local citizens of Owesat," said Lt. Col. Ayoob, commander, Commando Battalion, 17th Iraqi Army Brigade. "It's important that the people of the area can see the Iraqi Army as a positive influence they can trust to keep them safe."

Beyond securing weapons, explosives and detaining insurgents the goal was also to show the local Iraqi citizens that the Iraqi army and MND-B Forces were there to meet their needs and improve the quality of life in the area. One of the goodwill projects carried out during the operation was the handing out of backpacks and school supplies to the local children.

"The local populace didn't feel threatened by us, instead they felt secure against an AQI presence being built up in their area," said Eifler. "We showed the local Iraqis that the Iraqi Army and Coalition forces still care about them."

(By Pfc. Evan Loyd, 1st Armored Division)

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