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Iraqi brigade destroys terrorist hideouts near Kirkuk

February 3, 2006

TIKRIT, Iraq (Army News Service, Feb. 3, 2006) – Soldiers of 2nd Brigade, 4th Iraqi Army Division took another step toward independent operations Wednesday, as they conducted a brigade-level operation that destroyed terrorist hideouts in and around Kirkuk.

Supported by the 101st Airborne Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team, the Iraqi brigade’s three battalions conducted simultaneous raids, cordon and searches, and combat patrols. Soldiers from the 1st BCT supported the mission by providing outer-cordon security, air reconnaissance and close air support.

The mission was a combined effort to destroy known terrorist hideouts and disrupt their activity and included the destruction of a building used by terrorists to conduct IED attacks. The building was leveled by coalition aircraft using precision-guided munitions.

The mission enabled the Iraqi Soldiers to detain six suspects and confiscate numerous weapons without incurring or inflicting any casualties.

Iraqi staff plans operation

The Iraqi brigade’s commanders and staff were responsible for every aspect of the mission, from planning to execution, according to Maj. Mofuk Fathi Kdheer, the 2nd Bn. Operations Officer.

After the brigade’s leaders reviewed intelligence reports received from their higher command and coalition forces, they conducted reconnaissance and planned the mission.

Military Transition Teams from 1st BCT followed the mission planning and accompanied the Iraqi units during the operations, but the MiTT Soldiers didn’t have to take an active role, said Maj. Chris Kidd, the officer in charge of the 2nd Bn., 327th Infantry Regiment MiTT.

“This morning there was not a [coalition] company commander or his Soldiers present for the mission,” Kidd said. “There were only Iraqi Soldiers and a MiTT standing in the background in an advisory role.”

Maj. Gen. Anwar Hama Ameen Amed, the Iraqi brigade commander, watched his Soldiers execute the missions from a coalition command and control aircraft. Col. David Gray, the 1st BCT commander, accompanied Anwar on the aircraft to advise the Iraqi commander as he maintained command of all his forces spread throughout the province.

101st still dominates area

“The Soldiers of the 1st Brigade Combat Team still maintain the dominant role in the fight against terrorism in this region, but this operation was a chance to build the skill-set of the Iraqi forces,” Gray said. He added that as the Iraqi soldiers continue to improve, they will assume an increasing share of the fight.

“I hope this mission will become a small experience leading up to another large mission,” Mofuk said.

“Coalition Forces help us day after day to do it by ourselves,” said Col. Malik Kdher Ahmed, the 2nd Bn. commander. “Their experience and classes have helped in a very good way.”

“They did exceptionally well,” said Kidd. “The greatest improvement has shown in their ability to react to change.”

Kidd said the 2nd Bn. leaders were given new intelligence leading them to a different suspected insurgent the evening prior to execution. Instead of taking the easy way out and sticking with the original plan, they weighed the value of the intelligence report and made a command decision to change their plan.

“We didn’t direct or push them on which suspect they should go for,” Kidd said. “We did not advise them and they made the right decision.”

(Editor's note: Information provided by 101st Airborne Division Public Affairs.)