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Coalition Patrols Net Suspects in Kiowa Attack

Feb-11-2006 » Filed Under: 172nd SBCT

Link to Full Story with Photo
Sgt. 1st Class David P. Benamati
138th MPAD

MOSUL, Iraq — Days following the downing of an OH-58 Kiowa Warrior helicopter by a group of insurgents, Soldiers from companies A and C, 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, and the Iraqi Police took to the streets in one of the most dangerous parts of Mosul.

They were tracking down those responsible after receiving an anonymous tip from Iraqi civilians.

In a run-down muffler shop, suspected of being a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device factory, the police apprehended suspects they hope will lead to the killers.

The men in question stood facing a wall as the police searched them for identification papers and asked questions while some of the Iraqi Army soldiers and American Soldiers provided security.

Other Soldiers searched the shop, rummaging through the office papers and desk drawers for evidence or clues.

The tension was high; everyone was anxious to find the insurgents and bring them to justice. Stryker vehicles and up-armored Humvees cordon the area with guns pointed outward to provide security around the muffler shop.

Two Kiowa Warrior helicopters circled overhead to provide over watch security.

After an intense search, the Iraqi police decided they identified four men as suspects and took them into custody.

The four men are zip cuffed, blindfolded with rags taken from the shop, and placed into the cargo area of the Iraqi Army vehicles — small commercial pickup trucks modified with gun mounts.

The men rode in the back of the pickups to a local Iraqi Army compound for further questioning.

Once inside the walled compound, the Iraqi Army soldiers took their prisoners into the main building, again hoping to obtain useful information.

The other Iraqi policemen and soldiers dismount their vehicles to provide security for the compound from possible reprisals.

Everyone, including Capt. Kent Park, commander of C/2-1, was anxious to hear the outcome of the questioning.

Park’s company was tasked to take the lead in assisting the Iraqi Police in finding the killers. Park takes his job seriously; his fellow Soldiers were killed in the crash.

Two hours later, the Iraqi policemen emerged from the building and told Park the prisoners refuse to give any information.

The Iraqi policemen said they are going to take the prisoners to the local police station for the night.

That was not what Park wanted to hear. Now he and his company will have to wait another day to find the killer they sought.

With no further information and the uncooperative prisoners still in custody, the Soldiers decided to call it a day, for now, and headed back to Forward Operating Base Courage.

Over the radio, the information is passed on to the two OH-58 Kiowa Warrior helicopters; they ceased circling overhead, and returned to base.


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