Tuesday, 15 January 2008 By Pfc. Amanda McBride
3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU — Coalition forces teamed up with Iraqi Army Soldiers Jan. 10, to conduct an operation focused on securing an area south of Baghdad known as Chaka Four Region.

Troops from Company C, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, and the 2nd Battalion, 4th Brigade, 8th Iraqi Army Division seized weapon caches and detained suspected al-Qaida in Iraq (AQI) members during Operation Nanos II, the first joint operation between the units.

More than 50 suspects were detained, including one individual believed to be behind the assassination of prominent sheik Imad Ghurtani last November. Soldiers also discovered a bomb-making facility and destroyed two large-caliber mortar systems, according to Lt. Col. Mike Getchell, commander of the 2-502nd Inf. Regt., currently attached to the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division.

“This operation removed the yoke of intimidation on the population of Chaka Four,” said Getchell, adding the next step will be recruitment and installation of Concerned Local Citizens in the former AQI stronghold.

First Lt. Brian Roberts, 1st platoon leader, Company C, 2-502nd Inf. Regt., described the IA’s abilities on the mission.

“(The IA) were really excited to get out there and do it,” said Roberts, from Redding, Pa. “They have a much better feel for who’s good and who’s bad.”

After improving security, the unit’s goal is to begin reconstruction in the area, Roberts said.

“We are now trying to transition into the building stage,” Roberts said. “Where we can start reconstructing roads and getting the schools back up.

“Overall, I would say this mission was a success. It should set us up for future operations in our Company,” Roberts said.

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