Infantry Company Captures Al-Qaeda Cell Members, Clears 49 Buildings

Staff Sgt. Richard Wonsowski, from West Point, Ga., an infantryman in 3rd platoon, Company A, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, secures suspected insurgents during a combat patrol north of Salman Pak Oct. 16.

Soldiers from 3rd platoon, Company A, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, pull security on suspected insurgents during a combat patrol north of Salman Pak Oct. 16.

By Spc. Ben Hutto, 3rd HBCT Public Affairs

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq - Eleven people were detained and 49 buildings cleared Oct. 16 during Operation Belleau Wood II, an intensive search north of Salman Pak to capture or kill al-Qaeda and insurgents operating in the area.

"Acting on local tips, we were able to disrupt an al-Qaeda IED cell," said 1st Lt. Clifford Cieslak, from Pasadena, Md., the fire support officer for Company A, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment.

Leaders are optimistic that the capture of the cell will allow 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Soldiers and Iraqi Security Forces to better secure the area and allow the local population to continue improving governmental functions, Cieslak explained.

Soldiers from Company A, 1-15 Inf. Regt., detained the men after they were identified as possible insurgents responsible for attacks against the 3rd HBCT. Improvised explosive device materials, two AK-47 assault rifles, a shotgun and ammunition were found during the search.

The 1-15 Inf. Regt., is assigned to the 3rd HBCT, 3rd Inf. Div., from Fort Benning, Ga., and has been deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom since March.