Iraqi, Coalition Forces conduct Operation Bastogne
BAGHDAD, Iraq (April 10, 2006) � Iraqi Security Forces continue to gain experience as they lead both small and large-scale, combined operations. Two recent examples are in the Julayba area and north of Baghdad along the Tigris River.
Iraqi and Coalition Soldiers wrapped up a successful counter-insurgency operation in the Julayba area east of Ramadi April 6. Operation Bastogne began early in the morning with Soldiers of the 1st Iraqi Army Division and the U.S. 28th Infantry blocking off escape routes frequented by insurgents.
The combined operation resulted in two insurgents killed and three others captured. The Soldiers also discovered a cache of improvised explosive devices, artillery rounds, rocket propelled grenades, anti-aircraft rounds, fuses, primers and mortar propellants.
�The (Iraqi) Soldiers have developed a very good relationship with the (American) Task Force. The 1-506 has gone to great lengths to coordinate and share information with us,� said Gen. Razaq, a 1st Iraqi Army commander. �During the mission my Iraqi Soldiers ate, slept and fought along side the Soldiers from the 1- 506th, and we had very good communication and camaraderie. The result of this has been a very successful Operation Bastogne,� he said.
Razaq also said Julayba residents provided his troops with information about the enemy in their area.
�The insurgents have angered the people of Ramadi with their brutality, and the population is ready to get rid of them,� said the Iraqi commander.
In Tarmiya, city council members and Multi-National Division � Baghdad leaders conducted a combined press conference April 6. The leaders discussed security concerns and improvement projects for the city.
�We have set a temporary patrol base inside the city, and we have done this to better support and maintain the security of the people of Tarmiya,� said Lt. Col. Rocky Kmiecik, commander 4th Infantry Division�s 1st Battalion, 66th Armored Regiment. �It is our goal to secure and safeguard them and make sure they have a safe environment to live in.�
MND-B Soldiers began securing the area north of Baghdad on the western bank of the Tigris River in late March. After several weeks of continuous operations, they have seen signs of achieving that goal, said Kmiecik.
�As the joint patrols and operations in this area have been going on, it has been generally pretty quiet,� said Staff Sgt. Christopher Wright, 1st Battalion, 66th Armored Regiment. �We are trying to restore order to the city, and we�re trying to make it a safer place.�
Coalition Forces and city council members have forged ahead with several reconstruction projects aimed at raising the quality of life for Tarmiya�s citizens.
A major health-care initiative calls for the development of a surgical and birthing wing and improvements at the local clinic. Water treatment and local-road improvement are also on the reconstruction agenda. A Tarmiya youth center has already been completed.
In Baqubah, two terrorists died when an IED they were making inside a local residence detonated April 8. Task Force Band of Brothers Soldiers along with Iraqi Soldiers and police responded to the explosion. A search of the house revealed weapons, IED components and other completed IEDs.
The explosives were safely destroyed. Baqubah police are investigating the incident.
(Compiled from official State and Defense Department sources