Stryker Brigade News

Soldiers from the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) together with Iraqi National Guard soldiers and border patrol officers, began conducting joint patrols along the border to interdict and deny foreign fighters access to Iraq.

Iraqi security forces, supported by Stryker Brigade Soldiers, are patrolling areas along the border, stopping anyone they encounter, requesting personal identification and asking for an explanation of their business within the country. Iraqi government officials promise that criminals and terrorists captured attempting to enter the country illegally will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

These joint patrols will continue over the long term to reinforce the Multinational Forces’ commitment to assisting the government leaders in Ninevah Province in securing its border and maintaining territorial integrity.

Additional personnel from the Department of Border Enforcement have been stationed at Rabiyah Gate, a major crossing site between Iraq and Syria to reinforce border patrol officers currently stationed there.

Construction efforts are also an ongoing part of Phantom Linebacker, as Multinational Forces work to improve existing forts along the border. The 133rd Engineer Battalion, headquartered in Belfast, Maine, began work on the Al Mushrifa border fort, eight kilometers south of Rabiyah Gate, the first of potentially many such projects that will take place over the next several months.

Engineers have enhanced force protection measures, over watch capabilities and living conditions by constructing two new watch towers, barriers and obstacles around the fort. They have also installed environmental control units to provide for the living comfort of the border patrol guards stationed Al Mushrifa.

“These improvements are very necessary to protect us from the bad guys, the terrorists and smugglers and they will also encourage us to continue in our duties to ensure the security of Iraq,” said Faris Mhather Ramdan, the Iraqi Border Police Officer in charge of the Mushrifa fort.

At the outset of Operation Phantom Linebacker, Stryker Brigade Soldiers with their Iraqi National Guard counterparts kicked off military operations in several cities and towns throughout the western border region in an effort to eliminate the threat of terrorists who have already entered the country illegally.

Many of the cities and towns in the western border region, particularly Tall Afar and Avgani, have served as a safe haven for terrorists who have entered Iraq with the intent to harm Iraqi citizens and Multinational Forces as well as to stop the continuing development of a democratic Iraq.

Military operations Aug. 1- 3 in towns near the border nabbed more than twenty suspected terrorists, resulted in the death of three and the collection of several unauthorized weapons and munitions, including AK-47s and magazines with ammunition, rifles and rocket propelled grenade launchers with rounds, hand grenades, mortars and mortar tubes. Soldiers also confiscated anti-multinational forces propaganda materials.

During his press conference marking the completion of Phantom Linebacker, Gov. Kashmoula addressed local leaders and members of the press, stressing the need for more equipment and weapons for Iraqi Security Forces in the border region. He also urged leaders to forget the past and focus on the future of Iraq, saying that terrorists are conspiring to “tear Iraq to pieces.”

He also encouraged hope and reminded leaders that once the country is secure, foreign trade will increase, boosting Iraq’s economy.