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Sykes Regulars Seizes Weapons

Feb-20-2004 » Filed Under: 3/2 SBCT

[Link to Full Article]Captures Suspect With Help Of Informant

CJTF7 Release #040220e
MOSUL, Iraq - With the help of a concerned citizen, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, under the operational control of Task Force Olympia, took explosives and an arms dealer off the streets of a small village outside of Qayarrah Feb. 19.

Company A responded to a tip from an informant who came to battalion headquarters and reported the presence of mortars in the village and identified a weapons dealer who was responsible for selling them.

"We had intelligence from the battalion level that a source knew of a man trafficking arms and could take us there," said Capt. Matthew Dabkowski, commander Company A.

Dabkowski said that in response to the information the unit rolled into the village early the next morning and sealed it off.

"We got the call, set up and rolled in," said Pfc. Cliff Wolf, Co. A. "We surprised everyone and cleared the area and then started looking for weapons."

The company gathered 669 rounds of 60 mm mortar as well as fuses and a rocket propelled grenade sight.

In addition to the mortars, the company took into custody two people who were suspected of trafficking the weapons and explosives.

After the end of combat operations in the village, the soldiers of Company A awaited the arrival of the explosive ordnance disposal team who would transport the weapons to a safe area and properly dispose of them.

Everyone in the platoon took on the challenge and came home without incident. Wolf said the help of the informant was invaluable in making the mission a success.

"This helps us collect weapons and get rid of the means for them to be used against us as well as not disturb the population," said Staff Sgt. Clifford Beattie, Co. A.

Beattie said the work of the informant was important because it eliminated the possibility of going to the wrong building.

The soldiers of Company A returned to their forward operating base after the end of the mission.

"Whenever we leave on a mission and it's successful, it's good for morale," said Dabkowski.

"This is definitely motivating for us," said 2nd Lt. Kevin Hutcheson, platoon leader, Co. A. "To go out and find something like two or three mortars is good, but to find 600 really makes a difference."

In addition to the boost to the soldiers' morale, the mission also demonstrated what happens when Iraqis and Americans work together.

"It shows that within the Iraqi population there are individuals willing to take personal risk to identify bad guys," said Dabkowski. "It shows they are as committed as we are to a safe, stable and secure Iraq."


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