CLC Kill Two Insurgents, Detain One at Checkpoint

Soldiers from Company B, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, assess the vehicle that was involved in an attack at a Concerned Local Citizen program checkpoint in the village of Al Quali Jan. 16.

Capt. Shawn Thompson, physician assistant in the 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, and Spc. Courtney Watts, from Chicago, a 1-15th Inf. Regt. medic, treat a Concerned Local Citizen program member for wounds obtained during an attack at a checkpoint, Jan. 16, in the village of Al Quali.

Sgt. 1st Class Demonica Johnson, from Dallas, Company B, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, looks through his night-vision during the assessment of an attack at a Concerned Local Citizen program checkpoint in the village of Al Quali Jan. 16.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq – Concerned Local Citizens program members manning a checkpoint in the village of Al Quali, outside of Combat Outpost Cahill, killed two insurgents and detained one after being attacked during a routine vehicle search Jan. 16.

According to 1st Lt. Matt Barwick, from Lanham, Md., fire support officer for Company B, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, approximately five CLCs stopped a white truck, with three individuals inside, at a checkpoint.

After searching the vehicle, the team discovered improvised explosive device materials in the bed of the truck. The CLCs were attempting to detain all three suspects when one of the men pulled a grenade out of his pocket and threw it at the CLCs, Barwick explained.

The CLCs retaliated with small-arms fire, Barwick said. Approximately 35 CLCs from surrounding checkpoints heard the incident and ran to help. Two of the three insurgents from the truck were killed.

The CLCs detained the remaining insurgent and brought him to COP Cahill where they described the attack to leaders of Company B. Three of the CLCs were treated by 1-15th Inf. Regt. medical personnel for minor injuries obtained during the attack.

Soldiers from 1st platoon, Company B, went to the site to assess the report. They called in the 789th Ordnance Company (Explosives Ordnance Disposal) which removed the explosives from the truck bed and destroyed them.

Barwick said the event is significant because the CLCs took complete charge of the situation. Since the CLC group was established in the area, they would call Company B and identify insurgent activity, but would not directly approach suspects.

“It wasn’t until (now) that the CLCs volunteered to detain insurgents in their own village,” Barwick said. “The fact that Coalition Forces reacted so quickly shows the CLCs they have the support to continue to protect their communities.”

Barwick said the event also sends a message to insurgents.

“It shows that the CLCs aren’t afraid to police their own villages,” he said. “Every time they get someone, they are more motivated to clear out the bad people in their communities.”

Company B later confirmed that the two killed insurgents and one detainee were involved in emplacing an IED and destroying a guard tower at a CLC checkpoint.

The 1-15th Inf. Regt. is assigned to the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, from Fort Benning, Ga., and has been deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom since March 2007.