Stryker Brigade News

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Iraqi Police Works Hand in Hand with Iraqi Army

QAYARRAH, IRAQ – 1/3rd Iraqi Army (IA) Battalion, led by Brig. Gen. Ali Atala Malowh, worked in conjunction with the Qayarrah Iraqi Police yesterday in detaining a suspected terrorist and his IED supplies.

Ali reported that his soldiers, along with the Iraqi Police, noticed a suspicious man near a schoolyard, face covered and carrying a box. The IA called for the man to stop but he started to run. They eventually caught the individual and he is currently being held at the Qayarrah Police station.

In the box Task Force Automatic’s explosive ordinance disposal (EOD) team revealed 1 x 1.6 anti tank landmine, 1 x washing machine timer, and 1 x 12-volt rechargeable battery. The timer and battery was recovered for exploitation and the landmine was reduced by EOD.

Locals Request to Have Rocket Removed

TALL HUMM, IRAQ – Task Force (TF) Automatic’s explosive ordinance disposal (EOD) team responded to an unidentified explosive object (UXO) south of Tall Humm on July 25th.

The TF’s operational detachment alpha (ODA) reported a green missile container was lying in a wadi and the local residents asked to have it removed.

Upon arrival the EOD team, led by Master Sgt. Charles Lee, ascertained that the missile was still inside the container. With the help of C/2-8 Field Artillery, EOD removed the container from the wadi.

The container was opened and the missile was extracted. The missile was identified as a USSR SA-3 GOA, surface-to-air guided missile. It was severely water damaged and was destroyed on site.

9th Monthly Regional Security Council Meeting

FOB ENDURANCE, Iraq – “I would first like to have a moment of silence for the men recently killed in action,” began Brig. Gen. Ali Atala Malowh, 1/3rd Iraqi Army (IA) Battalion Commander, at this month’s Regional Security Council meeting.

The meeting, taking place on Forward Operating Base (FOB) Endurance on July 26th, gathered together over 400 key leaders of Ninewah Province and Mosul.

Ali and Lt. Col. Bradley Becker, Task Force (TF) Automatic Commander, handed out folded Iraqi flags to the families of eight Iraqi Police officers and IA soldiers who recently lost their lives in the fight against terrorism. The most touching moment was when a family member kissed the flag and touched it to his forehead.

A short video demonstrating the progress Coalition and Iraqi forces have made around the local villages was then played. The video touched upon the March Against Terror, water projects, medical visits, sheik meetings, IA Basic Training graduation, IA operations and missions and the upcoming elections.

Following the video, Becker announced the topics to be discussed at the meeting “The few things we’ll discuss this month include schools, gas prices and security, as well as the upcoming elections. Following the meeting we will have tables set up to discuss detainees, projects, and weapons cards on an individual basis.”

There were several distinguished speakers to include Mr. Khalid from the Iraqi Elections Council, Mr. Zubari to discuss fuel distribution, and Mohammad Suleiman from the Provincial Council Sports and Education Committee.

The Mosul Chief of Police Maj. Gen. Khalif Ahmed spoke of the elections. “I want to talk about two things. The families of the gentlemen who lost their lives recently received an Iraqi flag. Both our security forces and civilians fight and live under one flag. We must not forget we are one nation.

“The second topic I want to discuss is the elections. They will be on October 15th and we must encourage all to become involved.”

Following comments from Ahmed, Ali and Becker opened the floor for questions.

Each month’s Regional Security Council meeting involves more key leaders of the area. It is an opportunity for the local sheiks and mukhtars to come together and discuss concerns of their villages. The meeting also serves as a chance for Coalition and Iraqi forces to learn about what needs attention in their area of operation.