40th IA BDE Makes Arrests with 2/12th Enablers and Security
By CPT Robin Worch, S-1& PAO, 2/12th Cavalry
16 July 2008
The 40th Iraq Army Brigade planned a conducted a late night raid into the town of Al Fair to serve warrants for the arrest of several suspected criminals. This mission was planned and executed by the Iraqi Army leadership with cooperation from the 2/12th Cavalry which provided over watch security as well as Security Water and Electricity Teams (SWET) and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams to assist in apprehending the suspects. The mission netted 24 arrests with 10 of those being suspects that were already in the database as criminals and 4 being labeled High Value Individuals by the Iraqi Forces.
The mission began on the 14th in the early evening with forces from 2/12th Cavalry leaving Contingency Operating Base (COB) Adder, which is at the Tallil Air Base, near An Nasiriyah, which is the capital of the Dhi Qar Province, to link up with their Iraqi counterparts south of the target area. Once the forces were together they moved north to Al Fair to conduct the raid in the early morning hours of the 15th.
Many locals were aware of the actions only because of the Aviation that was on station for the mission. They were very happy that the Iraqi Army was there with the help and cooperation of the US forces. LTC Kendrick, Battalion Commander of the 2/12th Cavalry, said, “This is the spirit of cooperation that we want to instill throughout our time here and continue to enable the Iraqi forces to plan and conduct these types of missions successfully.” Iraqi lead missions are the goal of all coalition forces in Iraqi but nowhere is it being pursued more than in the Provincial Iraqi Control (PIC) provinces of Dhi Qar and Muthana. “Each mission will have Iraqi forces involved to some degree, and we hope to get to a point where all missions are planned and led by the Iraqi Army or Police.” Quoted LTC Kendrick.
CPT Prescott, Alpha Company Commander, said, “I was impressed by the Iraqi Army’s professionalism. They conducted themselves like a well prepared team and treated the detainees with dignity and respect.” He continued that, “they could have completed this mission without any help from us.” Many members of the town were also impressed with the way the mission was conducted and said the only drawback was the noise from the helicopters during the night.
The 40th Brigade of the Iraqi Army conducted a raid to arrest several wanted men and were able to do just that with minor coordination with the US forces at COB Adder. This is where Iraq is heading and if this mission is any indication, Iraq is heading the right direction.