Home » Archives » "Soldiers Weed Out Sadr City Terrorists"

Soldiers Weed Out Sadr City Terrorists

Apr-12-2008 » Filed Under: 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment

By SFC Christina Bhatti, 25th Infantry Division Public Affairs

BAGHDAD — Days after intense fighting, and the call to peace from Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr March 30, Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers patrol the outskirts of Sadr City, a district of Baghdad, ensuring the safety of the city’s residents.

Sadr City has been the backdrop of many conflicts for Coalition forces since the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. The city is the poorest of all the Bagdad districts and has historically been a safe haven for terrorists.

The Soldiers from Company A and a platoon from Company B, 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, attached to 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, MND-B are tired, dirty, and work 24-hours a day with only cat naps to sustain them, but they relentlessly take to the streets in their mission to drive terrorists out of the area.

What began as a 96-hour tasking on March 26 turned into an open ended mission.

Capt. Scott Bailey, Company A commander, said the mission in support of combat operations was a success.

“We had some significant contact when we first arrived,” said Bailey, a Running Springs, Calif., native, “but we planned good company attacks and now it is pretty quiet here.”

Bailey attributes the quiet to a show of force from his Soldiers and other Coalition forces, and said he is confident they have helped the residents of Sadr City.

The Soldiers are not so sure.

“We definitely helped stop the shooting, but only time will tell if we help the people improve their future,” said Staff Sgt. James Dean, a native of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and platoon sergeant from 4th Platoon, Company B, 1st Bn., 21st Inf. Regt.

For now, the focus for the Soldiers is to support the Iraqi security forces and rid the area of terrorists.

When fighting broke out in Sadr City, the Iraqi Army checkpoints were targeted by the terrorists. They were consistently mortared and the Iraqi Soldiers eventually left the checkpoint.

To help restore their confidence, the 4th Infantry Division Soldiers provided peace of mind with a constant presence and supplies, such as water, to the Iraqi Soldiers.

“It is important that we help them get on their feet,” Bailey said. “We need to support them and put them out front, so the Iraqi people can gain confidence in their Army.”

Bailey said he doesn’t know when his Soldiers will leave Joint Security Station Ur and head back to their area of operations, but he said he does know his Soldiers are working hard to accomplish the mission around Sadr City.


Comments For "Soldiers Weed Out Sadr City Terrorists":

Thank you for your site. My son is in the middle of the mess in Sadr City and I have been checking this page often since I found your site. God Bless you!!

Posted by: Laura Leilich | April 12, 2008 5:57 PM

I have a grandson in Sadr City. He is a combat medic with the 1/2nd SCR. Our thoughts are with you every minute of our days. We are very proud of each of you. God bless and stay safe.

Posted by: P. Grainger | April 12, 2008 10:05 PM

Thankyou so much for this site. This is all new to me as a first time army mom. Our son is over there and it is just nice to have some sort of connection. We pray round the clock for all involved. God Bless you, and keep up the wonderful work. Mrs. Karla R.Liebherr

Posted by: Mrs.Karla R. Liebherr | April 12, 2008 10:50 PM

Thank you for this site. It has become my source for keeping up on war in Iraq. Our news media, papers and TV are just not doing the job of keeping us informed. I have a grandson serving with the 3/2 SCR. Needless to say I am proud of him and all who chose to serve. God Bless you all. Don Alsip

Posted by: Don Alsip | April 13, 2008 12:20 PM

I, too, have a grandson serving there who is a combat medic. I really appreciate this news site and I check it the first thing in the mornings and through out the day. I am praying for our soldiers and their leaders. May God bless each of those who are doing this job for us. Much love to all. Grandma Stockman

Posted by: Lorena Stockman | April 13, 2008 2:08 PM

Ive been in sadr city since it started poppin off.......It sucks. My buddies are dieing! For what??!! I dunno....Maybe u do?

Posted by: suckin in sadr | April 14, 2008 10:20 AM

We love the website, our son is in Sadr City with Bravo Company. We have many prayers for our soldiers and their leaders, great victory and success! We love you and miss you Daniel! mom

Posted by: ColoradoMom [TypeKey Profile Page] | April 16, 2008 11:11 AM

My son is also a combat medic with the 2nd SCR. Getting info is difficult,thank you for this site.I am so proud of my son and worry all the time about him and his guys. I pray they come home safe. Love Ya Baby Boy!!

Posted by: Kristine Renza | April 20, 2008 3:31 PM

My husband is in the 1-21 infantry stryker battalion A company. Its so comforting to know that the job they are doing so well in iraq and making a difference. I thanks you for this website, im making a scrap book of all the newspaper articals that i find of his company. i found most of them here.

Posted by: elena | April 23, 2008 1:21 AM

Post a comment

(If you haven't left a comment here before, you may need to be approved by a site administrator before your comment will appear. We appreciate your patience.)

Advertisements