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Noose tightens on
attempts to disrupt vote

The second week of January saw an increase in coalition and Iraqi Security Force activity. We have been proactive in gathering intelligence and acting to counter the enemies' ability to disrupt elections, only 14 days away.

» Jan. 9: Bravo Company along with Iraqi Security Forces conducted operations in the southern portion of the city. The target and his brother were both captured with no resistance.

Mortar system components, an RPG (rocket-propelled grenade) sight, a motorcycle battery similar to those used in powering roadside explosive devices and a large amount of foreign currency were confiscated.

We'll use this evidence and others collected on the objective to start working on our next mission.

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COURTESY PHOTO BY DANIEL SMITH Joe Hensley of Oklahoma City talked with a shop owner during a recent night patrol.

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» Jan. 12, 10:30 p.m.: Gunfire is reported by our observation posts. Police were sent to the location but nothing was found. The police set up a checkpoint and stopped a car containing seven individuals. As they were questioning the driver, the passenger jumped behind the wheel and sped off.

About an hour later two individuals showed up at the station inquiring about the driver. They were immediately apprehended.

This incident shows we have a little more work to do with the police and security forces on search and questioning techniques. Overall they are doing an outstanding job and are taking a larger role in the protection of the people of the city.

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COURTESY PHOTO BY DANIEL SMITH Boys enjoy a game of marbles in the schoolyard.

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» Jan. 12: A massive joint operation launched with all companies from 1-21 IN (Gimlets), Iraqi Army (formerly Iraqi National Guard), and police SMT (similar to our SWAT). The joint raid concentrated on a village that has been known for anti-Iraqi activities.

A Company was the lead element, and six minutes after the first unit reached the release point all 17 target houses were secure. When the dust cleared and all houses were secured, 31 personnel, including the 17 suspects that were targeted, were detained for questioning.

This was a very successful operation. We have been able to incorporate almost all branches of the Iraqi Security Forces and successfully accomplish operations like these. Thirteen of the detained personnel were released the following day, but individuals suspected of bombing oil pipelines, electrical plant bombing, weapons smuggling and selling rockets for attacks on the air base are still in custody.

» Jan. 13: C Company, the Battalion anti-tank platoon and the police SMT conducted a raid in the southern portion of the city to apprehend a man suspected of assassination attempts on Iraqi Security Forces. The suspect was not at his residence, but was detained by police later in the evening.

» Jan. 14, 12:05 a.m.: A Company Anti Tank Squad and police conducted a patrol enforcing curfew. A car stopped was searched and two men were detained for questioning.

After a thorough search of their vehicle, police found about 1,000 Al-Sadr propaganda pamphlets, CDs containing video of attacks on coalition forces, newspapers from Sadr City.

We knew we were going to see people like this come into town and try to disrupt the process of change prior to the elections. This is the main reason we have stepped up our operations and presence throughout Kirkuk.

» Jan. 14, 10:15 p.m.: Radio traffic from C Company. One of their patrols was attacked by a roadside explosive device. No casualties or damage was reported. A thorough search of the area revealed evidence we will be using to prevent and react to later attacks.

We expect to keep up the pace of operations throughout the month. We feel if we keep the pressure on, we can prevent a lot of what the enemy is trying to plan for disruption.

Right now we feel we have this enemy in a headlock, where he is coming close to panicking and making mistakes that we have been able to capitalize on. As we get closer to the end of the month we will grip tighter and tighter around his head until he yells "Uncle."

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Soldier's initial uncertainty
eased by meeting Iraqis

Joshua Hunt

This week, meet Spc. Joshua Hunt from Fostoria, Ohio. He is a rifleman in 2nd Squad, 3rd Platoon.

Hunt said that when he found out he was deploying to Iraq, he felt a little uncertain. After thinking about what needed to be done, he knew the right thing to do.

He explained: "It's really hard to say goodbye to loved ones knowing you're going to be gone for at least a year. You may never see them again."

Hunt went on to say, "When we got here I was definitely nervous. The first night we were in tents on the air base, there was a rocket and mortar attack." But, he said, "Now that we've been able to settle into our routines and interact with the locals, I feel a lot better about our situation.

"You can tell the people that don't like you just by their facial expressions. But after we have shown them that we are here to help, most of the people cooperate with us and sometimes even give information on the bad guys. I like dealing with the kids and handing out candy. They really seem to enjoy that."

I asked Hunt to tell me one of the most memorable things that's happened to him here. He said, "Just this week when we did the joint raid, I was the third man in the gate on our target house. Once the door was busted open, we rushed and entered the house. That guy was really surprised, because he immediately hit the floor. We were looking for his son, and his wife pointed at the next house. We left security on everyone there and moved next door."

Hunt continued: "The guy's son must have heard the commotion, because as soon as we bashed his gate open, he hit the deck, hands behind his head, in the front yard. It was good to get out and do my job again." Hunt finished his interview by saying hello to mother Hope Gonzales, dad Gary, brother Cory and sisters Kristen and April back in Ohio. And a special aloha to Maya Richards and Rose Ramirez in Hawaii. "Don't worry about me, I'm doing fine."

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