Concerned citizens, Coalition Forces destroy weapons cache, insurgent safe houses

ISKANDARIYAH, Iraq — With help from the concerned citizens of Jurf as Sakhr, Iraqi and Coalition Forces identified and destroyed an enemy fighting position and safehouse Aug. 25 as part of Operation Gecko.

Paratroopers from 1st Battalion, 501st Airborne, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division acted on a lead from a concerned citizen on a known enemy fighting position suspected of containing a mortar tube with ammunition.

Once the location was identified, OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters engaged the location with one missile, rendering the position useless to the enemy, and the Paratroopers of 1-501st Abn. destroyed the remains of the bunker.

Continuing to follow the lead of the concerned citizens, Paratroopers were then taken to an al-Qaeda safehouse where five armed terrorists were hiding. The location was marked and destroyed with a 1,000-pound bomb, killing the five al-Qaeda militants.

Operation Gecko is systematically cleaning up the area, removing deadly roadside bombs and capturing or killing the terrorists and militiamen responsible for the violence and chaos that had blanketed the region.
Link

Concerned Citizens Lead IA Recruiting Drive

KALSU, Iraq – As concerned citizens stand up and secure their homes and communities against terrorists and militias all across north Babil, they are also standing up and leading the push for legitimate security forces in the area.

Iraqi army recruiting has reached a near record in the city of Iskandariyah and the surrounding areas thanks, in large part, to concerned citizens wanting to do more to help their families, friends and neighbors in the fight against militants.

“More than 1,400 people have made the decision to join the Iraqi army during the five-day recruiting drive,” said 1st Lt. Tyler Mitchell, of Wasilla, Alaska. “Due to sectarian violence, this is the first recruiting drive we have had this year.”...

Read full article here

Paratroopers check up on Shiite, Sunni neighborhood

ISKANDARIYAH — With the influence of Sunni and al-Qaeda pressing down from the North and West and Shia and Jaysh al-Mahdi rising from the South and East, the city of Iskandariyah straddles the fault line of sectarian violence.

The epicenter of sectarian tremors in the area is the Hateen Apartment complex, a neighborhood of more than 25,000 Shiite and Sunni Muslims.

Paratroopers from 1st Platoon, Company D, 3rd Battalion, 509th Airborne, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, and Military Policemen from 3rd Platoon, 127th MP Company are tasked to provide security in the area and keep extremist influence to a minimum.

“The militia has a pretty good hold over the Hateen Apartments by keeping the people in fear,” said 1st Platoon leader Capt. Paul Pena, of San Marcos, Texas, Co. D, 3-509th Abn. “Although, now our presence in this area is welcomed, and most of the local people are starting to help us, accepting the change.”

Even though Shiites outnumber the area’s Sunni’s roughly 70 to 30, this area has been relatively calm over the past months. First Platoon has conducted more than 40 missions in this area over recent months, and Paratroopers can see the difference that their hard work is making.

“We can tell that we are making a difference by the drop in violence in this area,” said Sgt. 1st Class Michael Brown, platoon sergeant, of Huntsville, Ala. “Now people are always coming out and thanking us for our help.”

Even though the area is a mix of Shiite and Sunni, most residents of the Hateen Apartments seem to get along just fine.

“I live across the hall from Sunnis,” said a Shiite resident of the Hateen Apartments. “We are all Iraqis, and we get along fine.”

With Shiites and Sunnis beginning to live in harmony in this area, and with violence on the decline, Paratroopers from 1st Platoon still will not get complacent.

“No matter what, I am always thinking of the task at hand,” said Pfc. Matt Lundberg, of Fayetteville, N.C. “Keeping an eye out for anything out of the ordinary and completing the mission.”

Now that the violence has subsided, the focus shifts to rebuilding.

“Along with searching for intelligence leads to militia activity, we also just sit and talk with the residents to see what we can do to help make their neighborhoods better,” Pena said. “We work closely with the Iraqi Security Forces and community leaders to help make their neighborhoods better and take responsibility for the future of their homes.”
Link

Safe house destroyed, rockets discovered

KALSU, Iraq – An insurgent safe house was destroyed by a precision air strike after four rockets were discovered on the property by Coalition Forces southwest of Iskandariyah Aug. 12.

OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters spotted rockets aimed at a Coalition forward operating base after conducting a reconnaissance mission in response to an indirect fire attack on the base earlier in the day.

When the rockets were spotted, Soldiers from the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, launched a quick reaction force to secure the site and retrieve the munitions.

Once on scene, Soldiers searched the house and surrounding area and confirmed four 240mm rockets with launching rail systems, circuit boards used for setting up and firing rockets, load bearing equipment, a pistol belt, ammunition vests, knives and other materials, including new bed rolls, which were barricaded inside one room of the house.

After the rockets and equipment were secured, U.S. Air Force F-16 fighter jets dropped three 500-pound bombs to destroy the house.

The munitions and equipment were recovered for use in the investigation.
http://www.blackanthem.com/News/U_S_Military_19/Safe_house_destroyed_rockets_discovered9460.shtml

This video is of 1-501st PIR, Blackfoot Company in Iraq on a night mission on 12-AUG-2007. It may not be associated with the same incident.

How Hot is It?

We think its been hot here in Texas, but that's nothing. Here's a picture of a thermometer at Camp Victory in Iraq, and its from a month ago... its even hotter now!!

driFIRE Shirts - UPDATE

Here's a quick update on our efforts with the driFIRE shirts. We have raised just over $6,000 so far and are quickly nearing our goal of $8,000.

Our sucess so far has been thanks to three main events;
1st - Our friends and family who have contributed themselves and have passed the word on to their friends,
2nd - The Dallas Morning News article. (see the article here), and
3rd - NBC Ch. 5 in Dallas aired three segments on the news (see below).

Money still continues to trickle in, but we may need one more event to reach the goal. If you haven't already, please share with your friends. If anyone has any ideas how to help get to our $8K goal, please let me know.

Thanks, Tavis

501st Soldier Fund on NBC Ch5 in Dallas

On Sunday, August 5th, Channel 5 interviewed the 501st Soldier Fund regarding our efforts. Here is our 30 seconds of fame that appeared on both the 5PM and 10PM news. We also heard that there was a story on Monday morning's news, but we didn't Tivo it.





THANKS CHANNEL 5!! This was a boost when we needed it.

Article: In the Land of the Blood Feuds

In the pre-dawn gloom, through weary villages shaded in gray, the soldiers of the 3rd Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment, searched for the enemy. An aerial drone had spotted men burying weapons in a nearby Sunni cemetery.

The soldiers walked along a thin ribbon of sandy road, flanked by tall reeds and palm trees, until they reached this forlorn place covered with crumbling gravestones. Silence mocked the unit, for the men had vanished. Soldiers pried open graves searching for the cache and 15 minutes later found four guns and some ammunition. Lt. Thomas Murphy, 32, wondered who the men had been. Members of al-Qaeda in Iraq? Loyalists of the former government? Tribesmen?

"Here we have so many different enemies," he said.

On the unruly outer fringes of the Sunni area south of Baghdad known as the Triangle of Death, American soldiers navigate more than a dozen battle zones straddling the fault lines of sect and tribe. Al-Qaeda in Iraq -- identified by President Bush and his generals as the main U.S. enemy -- is just one of myriad armed groups competing here for influence and authority. This arid region nourished by the Euphrates River is a microcosm of the many often-overlapping conflicts that have erupted across the new Iraq.

"We're fighting in multiple directions," said Col. Michael Garrett, commander of the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne) of the 25th Infantry Division.

In Garrett's office at Forward Operating Base Kalsu, near the Triangle's southern edge, a large map of his brigade's theater of operations hangs on the wall. South of Kalsu, the land stretches toward the Shiite cities of Musayyib and Karbala. To the northwest, across the farmlands of Jurf al-Sakhr and Khidr, Sunnis are in control. And to the north is Iskandariyah, a volatile mixed-sect town of factories and low-slung buildings.

(This is a detailed article from the Washington Post and a very good read. It provides insight to the political tactics being used to try and curb the violence in the FOB Iskan region. -Tavis)

Full text of article

Al-Qaeda terrorist captured during Marne Avalanche

Iraqi Security Forces and Paratroopers captured a suspected al-Qaeda terrorist wanted for a string of attacks against the security forces and citizens in North Babil during Operation Marne Avalanche, August 5.

The Iraqi army, police and Paratroopers from Company A, 1st Battalion, 501st Airborne, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division conducted an early morning raid in Snadeej near Jurf As Sukhr to capture the suspected insurgent.

“More than 50 IPs, 20 IA soldiers and 50 paratroopers participated in the operation,” said Capt. Henry Moltz, commander of Company A and Midlothian, Texas native. “The populace was very receptive to the ISF-led operation and a local source pointed the man out to us.”

Thanks to joint operations like this one, the Jurf As Sukhr area is on the road to security and stability, Moltz said

“This operation marks 50 days in Jurf As Sukhr with no attacks, as compared to six months ago when there was at least one attack every day,” Moltz said. “The drop in violence is a testament to the Paratroopers and Iraqi Security Forces who have embraced the Joint Security Station concept and who have trained and fought side by side.”

The JSS isn’t the only key to success in the area. According to the soldiers and Paratroopers who work in the region, citizens are a big factor in their success.

“The people in Snadeej and Jurf are tired of violence,” said Moltz. “They are tired of being scared. They want a better life.”

During Operation Marne Avalanche, the Paratroopers of the 4th Brigade have killed 16 insurgents, conducted numerous precision raids, captured more than 110 insurgents including eight cell leaders and other high value individuals.
Link to article

Suspected Al-Qaeda terrorist captured during Marne Avalanche

Iraqi Security Forces and Paratroopers captured a suspected al-Qaeda terrorist wanted for a string of attacks against the security forces and citizens in North Babil during Operation Marne Avalanche, August 5.

The Iraqi Army, police and Paratroopers from Company A, 1st Battalion, 501st Airborne, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division conducted an early morning raid in Snadeej near Jurf As Sukhr to capture the suspected insurgent.

“More than 50 IPs, 20 IA soldiers and 50 paratroopers participated in the operation,” said Capt. Henry Moltz, commander of Company A and Midlothian, Texas native. “The populace was very receptive to the ISF-led operation and a local source pointed the man out to us.” ... (full article)

Article: A Perilous Alliance With Former Enemies

FORWARD OPERATING BASE ISKAN, Iraq -- Inside a brightly lit room, the walls adorned with memorials to 23 dead American soldiers, Lt. Col. Robert Balcavage stared at the three Sunni tribal leaders he wanted to recruit.

Their fighters had battled U.S. troops. Balcavage suspected they might have attacked some of his own men. The trio accused another sheik of having links to the Sunni insurgent group al-Qaeda in Iraq. That sheik, four days earlier, had promised the U.S. military to fight al-Qaeda in Iraq and protect a strategic road.

"Who do you trust? Who do you not trust?" said Balcavage, commander of the 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 25th Infantry Division, his voice dipping out of earshot.

An hour later, he signed up some of America's newest allies...

(This is a detailed article from the Washington Post and a very good read. It provides insight to the political tactics being used to try and curb the violence in the FOB Iskan region. -Tavis)

Full text of article

driFIRE Shirts - UPDATE

I would like to update everyone on our efforts with the driFIRE shirts. So far we have been successful in raising just over half of our $8000 goal.
Recently, the Dallas Morning News wrote an article on our efforts. This provided a boost in contributions to our current level. (see the article here)

It is great that in one month, we have made it over halfway to our goal, but we still need more help.

Thanks, Tavis

A Moment of Silence

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the soldiers and families of the 25th Infantry. Please take a moment of silence for our two fallen soldiers.

Two Fort Richardson paratroopers died and 10 were wounded during an attack on their base in Iraq, U.S. Army officials said Friday.

The paratroopers died Tuesday in what the Army called an indirect fire attack on Forward Operating Base Kalsu. Their names were not released, but Lt. Col. Jonathan Allen, an Army spokesman, said the next of kin had been notified.
One of the wounded paratroopers was reported in serious condition. The soldier was evacuated to a military hospital for treatment.
The remaining nine soldiers were treated at their base.
http://www.adn.com/news/military/story/9191723p-9108110c.html