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Joint Raid Nabs Insurgent

Aug-21-2006 » Filed Under: 3/2 SBCT

by Spc Yolanda Moreno Leon
138th MPAD

MOSUL, Iraq – Iraqi Army Soldiers with the assistance of 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, conducted a joint raid in Hamam Al Alil, Iraq looking for known insurgents, hoping to catch them when they are tucked into their beds, fast asleep.

Most insurgent activity happens during daylight hours, so the IA wanted to use the element of surprise, and catch them off guard.

“Getting here and getting secured was the easy part of the mission,” said Sgt. First Class Matthew Goodine, scout platoon, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 5th Battalion, 20th Inf. Rgt.,3rd SBCT from Ft. Lewis, Wash. “They did not even hear us coming.”

The main objective was an electronic store where documents were found that showed the owner was an insurgent financier. Along with the documents, an Ak-47 and money was also found. Two Iraqi civilians were held for questioning.

“A lot of stuff that links the financier were found on our objective,” said Captain Joe Kocer, scout platoon leader, 5-20th, 3rd SBCT, and a native of Anchorage, Alaska. “We were most focused on the document exportation in this side of the town.”

The teams on this raid did not find the person they were looking for. Another team on the other side of town were able to catch the insurgent while he was fast asleep.

According to Goodine, the mission went very well, it was a high value target and they got documentation that will incriminate the financier.

“We are trying to incorporate the Iraqi Army in everything we do, they are getting very proficient,” said Kocer. “We are pleased in how well they have come along and how much they have progressed.”


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