Note: The following text is a quote:
http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17463&Itemid=128
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20080306-03
March 6, 2008
Sons of Iraq in Sabbah Nissan discover weapons cache
BAGHDAD – The Sons of Iraq of Sabbah Nissan, a village southeast of Baghdad, discovered a large weapons cache and handed it over to Soldiers of Battery A, 1st Battalion, 10th Field Artillery at Forward Operating Base Hammer Feb. 28.
This was the most recent of 13 weapons caches the SOI have brought to Battery A since the inception of the SOI program in Sabbah Nissan.
The cache consisted of 28 rocket propelled grenade motors, five 125 mm artillery rounds, two 60 mm mortars, one 125 mm HEAT round, one 82 mm mortar, one rocket propelled grenade warhead, two fuses and a 155 mm round.
“The Sons of Iraq have given us two caches this week,” said Spc. Andrew Watson, from La Porte, Ind., Battery A. “They have given us about one a week, but this was one of the largest.”
Watson said the Sabbah Nissan’s SOI performance has improved consistently since they began working with the unit.
“At first, they weren’t very organized,” he said. “Many of their leaders had previously served in the Iraqi Army and they have used that training to instill more professionalism in the group.
“They have been trained and have come a long way from where they were. They are a lot more proficient in everything they do now,” Watson said. “They have seen how we set up water drops and vehicle searches, and are doing a good job of doing those on their own now.”
Pfc. Robert Meadows, from Jacksontown, Ohio, Battery A, said residents in the area have become more accepting of 3rd HBCT Soldiers and believes that has allowed Battery A and the SOI to find more caches based on information provided by them.
“The people here are very friendly,” Meadows said. “The children in the area wait for us along the side of the road and salute when we drive by. The adults wave when we are out. I’d say we have a good relationship.”
Many of the Soldiers believe the area is improving and will continue to do so in the future.
“I think things here will keep improving after we leave,” said Spc. Alex Katsan, from Grafton, W. Va., Battery A. “We are helping them less and less every time we go out. I can see them standing up and doing things on their own without our help.”
Watson said the SOI improvement is as an example of the progress happening in the area without the 3rd HBCT’s assistance.
“Sheik Kassam (leader of the SOI) is willing to work with us because he knows that we will do what we say we will and we are only here to back up what he is trying to do,” Watson said.
The good relationship Battery A has built with the local population will only help further the progress of the area, he added.
“The people here are working hard to secure their area and improve their quality of life,” Watson said. “Anything we have done to help them has been appreciated. I think they will continue to turn in caches and keep the area safe so they can keep moving forward.”
Explosive Ordnance Disposal personnel with 789th Ordnance Company, from Ft. Benning, Ga., currently attached to 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, secured the cache for future disposal.
The 1-10 FA is assigned to 3rd HBCT, 3rd Infantry Division, from Fort Benning, Ga., and has been deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom since March 2007.
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Note: The following text is a quote:
http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17462&Itemid=128
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20080306-02
March 6, 2008
ISWAT, U.S. Special Forces kill 9, detain 8 in Ninewa province
BALAD, Iraq – The Tal Afar Special Weapons and Tactics team, advised by U.S. Special Forces, killed nine criminals and detained eight suspects during an operation to disrupt an al Qaeda in Iraq cell south of Tal Afar in western Ninewa province March 2.
During the intelligence-driven operation against a known criminal support base and suspected training camp, Iraqi SWAT and U.S. SF targeted a cell responsible for assassinations, improvised explosive device attacks, and illegal traffic control points throughout the Tal Afar area. The cell is also suspected of conducting recent rocket attacks in the area against Iraqi civilians, Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition Forces.
When approaching the camp, several fighters attacked the lead Iraqi SWAT and U.S. SF vehicles with heavy fire from rifles and at least one machine gun. One SWAT vehicle was hit and disabled by a PKC machine gun, killing three Iraqi SWAT members and wounding three others.
ISWAT and U.S. SF continued while under heavy fire from several locations in the camp and adjacent wadi. During this engagement, nine enemy fighters were killed.
Three Iraqi civilians were wounded and treated on-site. Eight suspected cell members were detained for further questioning, including two who were wounded and evacuated to a Coalition Forces hospital for treatment. The three Iraqi SWAT team members were also evacuated for treatment.
The operation discovered 100 meters of electrical wire and 12 blasting caps for constructing IEDs, one PKC machine gun, one RPG-7 rocket launcher, four AK-47 rifles, nine grenades, more than 1,500 rounds of ammunition, and one Belgian-made landmine.
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