Good Preparation, Luck Gets Job Done

Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
RELEASE No. 20061221-14



By Pfc. Shea Butler
7th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment


CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – Before the sun even thought to grace the Iraqi sky, a company of Soldiers put there protective gear on, passed their lucky horseshoe around to be kissed by each individual, loaded their vehicles, waited for the word to drive off into the sunrise, and hoped for some luck before their mission to a Baghdad neighborhood.

The mission for the Soldiers of Company D, 2nd Battalion, 12th CavalryRegiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division was to provide operational oversight to the Iraqi army as they searched a neighborhood in Baghdad Dec. 13, after receiving intelligence from locals about anti-Iraqi forces in the area.

Troops from Company D had more than luck on their side. They had days of preparation to make sure their mission would run successfully.

They started basic maintenance on their vehicles and weapons two days prior to the mission. They sat through rehearsals and briefs to get a good grasp on their mission and intentions, said Capt. Darren Fowler, the commanding officer of Co. D. Upon arrival to the neighborhood, Soldiers met up with their Iraqi army counterparts and the search began.

Going through people’s personal property can be a difficult and dirty mission.“I was impressed with my Soldiers professionalism throughout the mission,” said Fowler, a native of Union, S.C.

The thorough search of houses, vehicles and people paid off for both American and Iraqi uniformed personnel. Together they found what they were looking for. Three weapon caches, two shape charges and some improvised explosive device-making material were found, Fowler said.

This isn’t the first time they have searched this area, but Fowler said it was one of the biggest stashes of insurgent weapons they have found. He said missions like this one help deny insurgents the ability to operate and build confidence between the locals and Iraqi security forces.

“We are out here so insurgents don’t have a safe haven,” said Pfc. Joseph Roco, a gunner and native of Glenwood Spring, Colo. Taking the weapons off the streets doesn’t just immobilize insurgents, he explained. It also protects the locals living in the area.

It is a joint effort to protect the Iraqis and to disable anti-Iraqi forces. Cooperation between the IA and coalition forces is getting better, Fowler said.

Successful missions, like this one, prove that cooperation is working, he added. “It was an overall good mission,” Fowler said. “We brought everyone back safeand we found caches”.