Task Force 1/3 conducts COIN operations
HADITHA, Iraq (June 12, 2007) -- Task Force 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines of Regimental Combat Team 2 along with Iraqi Security Forces conducted counterinsurgency operations near the Haditha Triad by launching Operation Northwestern Shoulder in the cities of Sagrah, Hosfa and Zawiyah.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/21FB67A50CB32E6B852572F80061409B?opendocument
June 12, 2007; Submitted on: 06/12/2007 01:42:15 PM ; Story ID#: 2007612134215
By Cpl. Rick Nelson, 2nd Marine Division
The villages searched during the operation are located in the northwestern part of the task force’s area of operation.
Using both ground transport and aviation support, Marines cleared and cordoned the villages, said Lt. Col. James W. Bierman, battalion commander, 1/3.
“We’ve had a significant amount of enemy presence in these areas,” said Bierman. “Each company was assigned a certain village to clear as well as the shoreline, looking for weapons caches, (improvised explosive devices) and insurgent activity while working very closely with the Iraqi Army and Iraqi Police.”
First Lt. Michael A. Deredita, executive officer, Bravo Company, 1/3, said they found a large amount of intelligence reporting the area housed approximately 300 insurgents who used the vicinity as a location for meetings and training.
Throughout the operation, Marines assigned to Bravo Company cleared Zawiyah, the largest of the three villages, and also the shoreline of the area near the Euphrates River.
“While clearing the villages, we set up an area inside of a school where we brought all males 15 years old and up,” said Deredita. “We ran all their names to make sure they weren’t on any high value target lists. If their name came up we detained them and asked them further questions.”
During the process, Bravo Company detained 10 Iraqis who were all brought in for questioning.
“The major success was working with the Iraqi Police on this operation,” added Deridita, a Stafford, Mich., native. “Upon arrival, they took charge of things and we supported them throughout the mission. They did all the searching, which was good because people in the town saw that their own government has the authority to take charge of large scale operations.”
Bierman added the main goals of the operation were to disrupt the enemy who have been operating in those areas and create a permanent presence in the vicinity.
“A base will be built and will stay there, so the enemy cannot return,” Bierman added. “The operation works in phases and the first one is the Marines going in and clearing the villages and shoreline, which will last a few weeks. Then we’re going to setup, so the enemy knows we’re not going anywhere.”
The Battalion Commander said he thinks because the operation was a surprise, it helped prevent a number of threats.
“We had them attempt to place IEDs, but they were found before they could cause any harm,” Bierman said.
Aside from conducting COIN operations, Marines assigned to 1/3 will also be working on humanitarian projects in the area.
“We’re working on a few tasks already,” Bierman said. “A water pump is going to be built and we’re also working on providing the locals with job opportunities.”
According to Staff Sgt. Robert M. Garcia, team leader for the civil affairs detachment, many questions regarding humanitarian operations were asked by the local populace during Operation Northwestern Shoulder.
“We have already set up an area to receive claim cards (for locals to be reimbursed for losses due to military operations) and are planning on doing a (medical civil action program) within the next two months,” said Garcia a native of Goodyear, Ariz. “We’re also working on some projects for the schools in the area but are waiting on approval and funding for them.”
Bierman said the Marines have done an exceptional job since the operation began.
“They chased the enemy out of town and are already establishing a relationship with the locals, we’re off to a great start,” he concluded.