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Raids disrupt regime loyalists

Army News Service

Release Date: 10/17/2003

By Spc. Bronwyn M. Meyer

TIKRIT, Iraq (Army News Service, Oct. 17, 2003) -- Troops are taking to the streets of Saddam Hussein's hometown to uncover a web of bank rollers, leaders, and organizers of insurgent groups responsible for hit-and-run attacks on coalition forces.

Soldiers of the 4th Infantry Division, part of Task Force Ironhorse, are using novel methods to counter attacks involving explosive devices and rocket-propelled grenades.

"We are targeting the cell leadership or members of the cell," said Capt. Timothy Morrow, a 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry intelligence officer from Lewistown, Pa. "If we get the suspect, we take him out of the puzzle and this causes turmoil in the organization."

The infantry battalion is going after the big players, bomb makers, financial backers of resistance cells and the leadership of these groups. Money apparently is very important to these groups, so the soldiers of 1-22 are intent on stopping the cash flow.

"If you pay someone $2,000 to conduct an attack, that is a significant impact on their life," said Maj. Bryan Luke, the battalion's operations officer and a Mobile, Ala., native.

The battalion is also going after the organizers of these groups and trying to thwart the leadership.

"We have conducted several raids against the leadership and we have disrupted them," Luke said. "As we are more successful in disrupting activities, the frequency of the attacks will decrease."

Although direct fire attacks have decreased in recent months, the number of IED and RPG attacks has risen, said Luke.

"There are a lot of little groups of resistance fighters" who align themselves with the old regime, Morrow said.

Coalition forces in Tikrit are moving in on these resistance leaders to end the violence that has plagued the city since the former regime fell.

Once a suspect is identified, troops move in. With a bang to the door, soldiers flood the potential insurgents' house, and sift through every room searching for weapons and evidence.

The house is searched from top to bottom as troops try to find C-4, dynamite, blasting caps, AK-47s, and "electric components that are unusual," said Luke.

The efforts to stop these attacks have taken on greater importance as the coalition force's casualty toll mounts.

"I lost a good friend the other day" said Staff Sgt. Carlton Certain, a 1-22 Infantry supply sergeant and Gainesville, Fla. native. "The more bomb makers we take off the street, the safer it will be for everyone."

The attacks are also taking a toll on the coalition forces' mission of rebuilding Iraq, Luke said.

"If all my soldiers weren't involved in security, they could be helping rebuild the country," Luke said. "Revitalization of the economy is where they impact the most."

(Editor's note: Spc. Bronwyn M. Meyer is as member of the 367th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment a reserve unit from Columbus, Ohio. She is currently deployed to Southwest Asia with the 4thInfantry Division in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom)