Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20081202-03
Dec. 2, 2008

Operation nets 11 suspected criminals in Babil
Multi-National Division – Center PAO

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – Iraqi Army, Iraqi Police and Coalition forces detained 11 suspected criminals during a combined operation in northern Babil province’s Mahawil area Nov. 23 and 24.

Operation Slap involved elements from Battery B, 1st Battalion, 76th Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, and Troop C, 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, working with the 31st Brigade, 8th Iraqi Army Division and Mahawil Iraqi Police, targeting suspected criminals in the area.

The second phase of the operation, Nov. 24, aimed at gathering further intelligence on individuals suspected of placing improvised explosive devices.

Capt. Robert Gordon, Btry. B, 1-76 FA Regt. commander, said the intelligence driven, IA-led operation showed a new maturity and proficiency for the IA brigade with which he has been working during the past year.

“The biggest thing this shows from the IA’s standpoint is their ability to conduct precision targeting instead of mass clearance operations,” Gordon said..

The IA’s increasing skills in such operations have shown real results recently, and support for the IA among local citizens has produced better intelligence, he said.

“(The criminals) are not looking to fight us, they are trying to hide. They are disrupted now, and the IA continues to clean them up,” he added.

In addition to partnering with IA and IP units, Capt. Chris Neyman, commander of Troop C, 1-10th Cav. Regt., said the operation was an important opportunity to work with the Soldiers of Btry. B, whose area of operations his troop will be taking over in the coming days. He said Operation Slap gave him a good demonstration of his partner IA units.

“My last time working with the IA was in 2005, and I’ve been absolutely impressed by the work (Btry. B) has done and how far the Iraqi Army has come,” Neyman said.

-30-

FOR QUERIES, CONTACT THE MULTI-NATIONAL DIVISION – CENTER PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE AT: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it OR BY PHONE AT DSN 318-822-7482 OR COMMERCIAL 912-767-4114.

FOR THIS PRESS RELEASE AND OTHERS, VISIT HTTP://WWW.BRAGG.ARMY.MIL/MNCI/DEFAULT.HTM

FOR HIGH RESOLUTION PHOTOS, PLEASE CONTACT THE DIGITAL VIDEO AND IMAGERY DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM BY CALLING (678) 421-6612 OR ACCESS THEM ON-LINE AT WWW.DVIDSHUB.NET <FILE://WWW.DVIDSHUB.NET>.