Citizens' Tip Saves American Lives

Story by Spc. Ben Hutto
3rd HBCT Public Affairs

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq - Information provided by Concerned Local Citizens helped Soldiers from Battery A, 1st Battalion, 10th Field Artillery Regiment and Company A, 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment seize four rockets aimed at Patrol Base Assassin Oct. 27.

The Concerned Local Citizens in the 3rd HBCT's area of operation continue to be an asset in information-gathering for the brigade. This latest example of cooperation potentially saved American lives by diverting an attack aimed at one of the 3rd HBCT's combat outposts.

"The concerned citizen program in the Mada'in Qada continues to provide information to security forces as well as provide security to the local population," said Maj. David Fivecoat, from Delaware, Ohio, the operations officer for the 3rd HBCT. "Tips like this are a sign that the Iraqi people are tired of insurgents operating in their neighborhoods."

Soldiers from the 789th Ordnance Company, Fort Benning, Ga., currently attached to the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, disarmed the rockets and brought them back to Forward Operating Base Hammer for proper investigation and disposal.

The 1-10th FA Regt. and 3-1st Cav. Regt. are assigned to the 3rd HBCT, 3rd Infantry Division, from Fort Benning, Ga., and have been deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom since March.

An Iraqi national policeman speaks with Capt. Troy Thomas, from Litchfield, Minn., the commander of Troop A, 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment at a site that insurgents used to aim rockets at Combat Outpost Assassin Oct. 27. Concerned Local Citizens in the area called the outpost and warned the Soldiers that the weapons were pointed at the post. Soon after, Soldiers from 3-1st Cav. Regt. and Battery A, 1st Battalion, 10th Field Artillery secured the location.

An Iraqi national policeman and Capt. Troy Thomas, from Litchfield, Minn., commander of Troop A, 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment examine munitions at a site that insurgents used to aim rockets at Combat Outpost Assassin Oct. 27. Concerned Local Citizens in the area called the outpost and warned the Soldiers that the weapons were pointed at the post. Soon after, Soldiers from 3-1st Cav. Regt. and Battery A, 1st Battalion, 10th Field Artillery secured the location.