Sgt. 1st Class Pedro Sotomayor (center), an armor crew member from Bayamon, Puerto Rico, and platoon sergeant assigned to Company C, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, directs a team of dismounts to search houses along a street in Hayy Jihad Nov. 11 during security patrols to assist Iraqi Security Forces operating in the Rashid district of southern Baghdad. The Soldiers worked with the 1st Bn., 53rd Bde., 14th Iraqi Army Div., to provide security for Sons of Iraq payday activities Nov. 10-14. Sotomayor and the Soldiers of “Copperhead” Company maintain 24-hour security operations to support Iraqi Army and Iraqi Police forces working to enforce Baghdad’s Rule of Law in West Rashid. Photo By Staff Sgt. Brent Williams, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division Public Affairs
I’ve been doing this blog for a while now. I just wanted to let you know that it’s been a pleasure and an honor, and I hope to add even more great content over the weeks and months ahead. I don’t have all the answers. Heck, I’m not even sure I know all the right questions.
That said, I think I can offer you a special perspective on all things military. Ok, enough, sentimental chit chat. Let’s get down to business, starting with a look at Iraq over the weekend.
According to military officials, Coalition and Iraqi forces killed two suspected terrorists, captured 14 others and seized dozens of weapons In Iraq over the past three days.
Iraq, Friday, November 14, 2008:
Coalition troops on a targeted raid in Baghdad’s Rashid district detained a suspected Special Groups associate linked to a weapons trafficker known to operate in the Iraqi capital. The patrol moved the suspect to a combat outpost for additional questioning. The Iraqi National Police (INP) finding a 120 mm mortar round led to the arrest.
“The Iraqi Security Forces continue to find caches and capture wanted criminals proving themselves to the residents of the Rashid district that Government of Iraq security forces are the legal authority and quite capable of providing security throughout Baghdad,†said Maj. Dave Olson, spokesperson for the 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div., MND-B. “Soldiers of the 1st ‘Raider’ Brigade are committed to assisting the ISF by teaching, coaching and mentoring them as the ISF provide a safe and secure environment for the Iraqi people.â€
Iraqi Army soldiers and Iraqi National Police also seized three weapons caches north of Baghdad. The stockpiles consisted of rocket motors, artillery rounds, rocket warheads, rocket-propelled grenade launchers and other military equipment.
Iraq, Saturday, November 15, 2008
According to military officials, Iraqi security forces (ISF) and the national police captured two individuals with possible ties to Al Qaeda in Iraq (AIQ) activity in Mosul. Troops also recovered three AK-47s in the al Rissala neighborhood.
Also on Saturday, Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers detained someone thought to be aligned with an Iranian-backed Special Group. The person has been accused of IED attacks, murder, extortion, kidnappings, assassinations and weapons trafficking.
Coalition forces also dismantled a homemade bomb in the Rashid district, in southern Baghdad. At approximately 9:30 a.m., Soldiers from Co. C, 1st Bn., 22nd Inf. Regt., 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div., MND-B, found an IED. The homemade bomb, created from three anti-aircraft rounds, was disarmed by an explosives ordnance disposal team.
Multinational Division Baghdad units also helped Iraqi national police (INP) in securing and removing secret stashes of weapons in Baghdad. The weapons found and destroyed consisted of mortar rounds, mortar tubes, bomb-making materials and homemade explosives.
Iraq, Sunday, November 16, 2008
On Sunday, coalition troops targeted a senior leader of a terrorist organization during an operation in Baghdad today. When forces arrived at the residence where he was located, they called for the occupants to surrender.
According to military officials, two individuals inside refused to comply with instructions and started to act sin a threatening manner. Perceiving hostile intent, coalition forces engaged the men, killing them both. None of the building’s other occupants were injured.
In an operation targeting al Qaida in Iraq leadership in Hit today, troops detained one suspected terrorist and three of his associates. The suspected terrorist has alleged ties to al Qaida in Iraq (AQI) leadership in the region.
During other operations on Sunday, coalition forces caught two bombing-network associates in Mosul, and suspected terrorists in As Sadiyah, Abu Ghraib and Kirkuk.
This is Sgt. Stryker Signing out.
A Soldier peers through an M-4 carbine scope while providing overwatch security in Tal Afar, Iraq, Nov. 13, 2008. The Army recently received final delivery of 473,000 carbine scopes. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Jacob N Bailey.
March 16th, 2012 - 1:06 pm
We’re really impressed using your way with words-at all as well as while using the layout with your blog. Is a paid theme or have you customize it yourself? Anyway continue the nice quality writing, it’s rare to find out a terrific blog like this one right now..