U.S. Soldiers Detain Suspected Insurgent South Of Baghdad

Multi-National Division – Center PAO

BAGHDAD – Soldiers from Troop A, 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, detained one suspected insurgent in a night raid just south of a local shopping area known as “Four Corners,” in Nahrwan, Iraq, Dec. 19.

According to Sgt. 1st Class James Mattwig, from Ashtabula, Ohio, a platoon sergeant in Troop A, a local resident called the troop with information that a known insurgent was seen visiting his cousin for the Muslim holiday Eid al-Adha.

“Once we got the call, we got a platoon together and prepared to capture the individual at his cousin’s house,” Mattwig said.

Mattwig explained the targeted suspected insurgent ran from the house; however, Troop A Soldiers detained another known insurgent.

“Although we didn’t get the individual we were after, we didn’t fail,” he said. “We cleared three houses and found another guy on the squadron’s top 10 list.”

“The tip leading to the capture of the suspected insurgent is a demonstration of trust between 3-1 Cav. Regt. Soldiers and local residents,” said Capt. Troy Thomas, commander of Troop A, from Litchfield, Minn.

Troop A, 3-1 Cav. Regt. is assigned to the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, and has been deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom since March.