Haditha SWAT Goes Operational

The Haditha Special Weapons and Tactics team, trained by U.S. Special Operations Forces, conducted its first solo operation in Barwanah Jan. 21, detaining four suspects:

BALAD, Iraq – “The Haditha SWAT team became operational only one month ago,” said the detachment unit commander in charge of their training. “Despite that, team members used their training and worked as if they had been together for years.”

The SWAT team had been on four other operations with U.S. Special Operations Forces acting as advisers, but had not completed an operation as a single unit.

The Jan. 21 operation was the first where the team collected intelligence and performed the raid independently. During the raid, SWAT members detained four individuals and confiscated material used to make improvised explosive devices.

“This is a great example of the government of Iraq reestablishing security using training provided by U.S. Special Operations Forces,” said the commander for Special Operations Task Force – West. “Their operation was a huge success and is a step in the right direction for the people of Iraq securing their country.”