Local Cooperation Brings in HVT in Jisr Diyala

By Spc. Ben Hutto
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq - Soldiers from 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, conducted a clearing operation with policemen from 3rd Brigade, 1st National Police Division in Jisr Diyala, southeast of Baghdad, April 11.

The operation resulted in the detention of eight suspects, including a high-value target connected to improvised explosive device attacks, sectarian violence, indirect fire attacks and weapons smuggling in the Mada'in Qada.

The combined force cleared 35 houses and confiscated several weapons and ammunition drums.

"It was a very good combined operation," said Capt. Brian Gilbert, from Boise, Idaho, the commander of Company D, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, currently attached to 3-1st Cav. Regt. "There was excellent communication between our air support and our troops on the ground. We were able to track down people that were trying to run. Our cordon was very effective. Everything went perfectly."

The Soldiers and NPs, acting on information provided by local citizens, were able to quickly find their target without endangering residents in the area.

"The people of Jisr Diyala have sent a loud and clear message to the extremists there: 'We no longer support you. We only support progress,'" said Capt. DaMond Davis, from Montgomery, Ala., the fire support officer for 3-1st Cav. Regt. "The numerous tips that we received validate that the people of this area are fed up with violence."

Gilbert said the NP brigade has made tremendous strides.

"Our cooperation is a perfect example of the relationship the surge created between Iraqi security forces and coalition forces," Gilbert said. "This police brigade is a perfect example of what right looks like and should be used as a model. These guys definitely do the right things when no one is looking ... I will fight with them every day. They performed well during this operation."

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