Stryker Brigade News

The day began with Task Force (TF) Automatic establishing blocking positions around three separate villages, prohibiting all incoming and outgoing traffic. By 0515 hours, once the town was isolated, the main ground force, two companies from the 1st IA BN and one from the 2nd IA BN, launched from staging points throughout the area. The force converged on the towns to begin their dismounted and mounted house-to-house search. Complicating the search was a complex wadi system that stretched for over 20 kilometers; terrorists were believed to be hiding in the wadi system.

At 0630 hours, 2nd IA Commander Lt. Col. Ra’ad Naif Haroosh requested via loudspeaker, “All military age males please report to the Umm Hajara elementary school right away.”

Meanwhile, the engineer platoon of the 1st IA BN created a suitable environment for the Iraqi citizens to remain in while being screened. They transported pallets of food and water into the schoolyard, as well as laid concertina wire, dividing the individuals to be photographed from those who were already processed.

Six people, including one battalion high value target, were positively identified as terrorists by a source. Individuals detained were immediately guided into separate rooms for questioning by TF Automatic’s Tactical Human Intelligence Team. Innocent Iraqis were directed to the holding area until the mission was complete. While waiting, these citizens were provided food, water, shelter and medical aid.

Each and every military age male of Umm Hajara crossed the eyes of Iraqi and Coalition forces intelligence specialists. The terrorists extracted from the village population will leave Umm Hajara a much more secure place.

As TF Automatic’s intelligence teams and the 113th EN’s processed Iraqi citizens at the schoolhouse, the TF command team was able to meet with one of the local mukhtars.

The mukhtar explained to them that they were the first Coalition forces to visit his small town. He and his family were very pleased to serve them tea and food at their home in Umm Hajara.

The village had electricity and a good school, but was in desperate need of water. This was the first time the mukhtar was able to speak to someone about his village’s issues and concerns. TF Automatic will be certain to keep a close watch on this small village in the future.

All searching was complete by 1030 hours and units returned to base by 1400 with no issues.

Conducting the mission 24 hours ahead of schedule on short notice, the planning, execution and teamwork demonstrated by the 1st and 2nd IA BNs were exceptional. Brig. Gen. Ali Atallah Malowh and Lt. Col. Ra’ad showed their ability to command agile and adaptive battalions, promising an effective Army for Iraq’s Ninewah Province.