MNFI Press Release - May 20

SUSPECTED IED MAKER DETAINED IN AL-WAHIDA
In the early morning hours of May 19th, Coalition Forces successfully captured an alleged improvised explosive device (IED) cell leader who is believed to be involved in an IED attack that killed two Georgian soldiers earlier this month. Using information from a tip provided by a local citizen, Coalition Forces comprised of Georgian soldiers with the 13th Light Infantry Battalion, 1st Georgian Brigade, and U.S. Soldiers from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, conducted the successful mission. “No longer will this cell leader be able to order attacks and move weapons across Iraq. His networks are rendered ineffective and the people of al-Wahida will be safer because of his capture,” said Captain Don Makay, Task Force Petro Commander, a native of Annapolis, MD. The 2nd BCT, 1st Armored Division, from Baumholder, Germany, has been deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom since April in the Mada’in Qada, in southeastern Baghdad Province.

COALITION DETAINS HVI IN DIWANIYAH PENINSULA AREA
Coalition Forces detained two individuals, one of whom is a battalion-level high value individual (HVI) on May 17th in the Diwaniyah Peninsula area, approximately 40 kilometers southeast of Baghdad. Soldiers with Company B, 2nd Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, attached to 1st Battalion, 76th Field Artillery, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, captured the HVI during a Sons of Iraq checkpoint verification mission. The HVI is a suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) leader who has been involved in kidnapping civilians for ransom and using the money to fund terrorist operations. He is also believed to have conducted IED attacks on Coalition Forces.

“The apprehension of (the HVI) is a terrific accomplishment by the Soldiers of Bravo Company, 2-6 Infantry,” said Maj. Mark E. Brock, executive officer for 1-76th FA. “The work of these outstanding Soldiers has ensured the continued prosperity of the citizens of Diwaniyah... the people of Diwaniyah area can enjoy the benefits of greater peace and security for their local community.” The unit was conducting SoI checkpoint verification in the Samara Jungle and Diwaniyah areas, collecting biometric data system information using the handheld interagency identity detection equipment (HIIDE). The checkpoint mission was conducted due to recently approved contracts for new SoI. As part of the effort, the unit is verifying locations of SoI checkpoints as well as collecting HIIDE information for the data system.

CITIZENS LEAD SOLDIERS TO 3 CACHES IN MADERIYAH
Once a haven for insurgents to conduct operations and store weapons, the community of Maderiyah lived in fear. Now, citizens have turned against insurgents and are providing intelligence to secure their community, leading to the recovery of numerous weapons caches. On May 16th, citizens led Soldiers from Battery B, 1st Battalion, 9th Field Artillery, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, to three separate caches. “Local Iraqis are tired of the violence and fighting... and have come to see the benefits of assisting the Coalition and (Iraqi Army’s) efforts in their community,” said Lt. Col. R.J. Lillibridge, commander of 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), attached to 2nd BCT, 3rd ID. “The benefits of assisting the Coalition and Government of Iraq clearly outweigh any benefit to supporting or tolerating the insurgency.”

The first cache consisted of (4) rocket-propelled grenades, (6) RPG warheads and (6) RPG boosters. The second cache contained (1) box of ammunition, (1) 73-round belt, (100) belt-linked rounds of 7.62 ammunition, (250) loose pistol rounds, (6) SKS magazines, (4) AK-47 magazines, (2) AK-47 butt stocks, (2) bayonets, (3) flasks of gunpowder, (2) spools of wire and (1) rifle with bayonet. The third cache contained (500) rounds of 9 mm ammunition and (1,000) rounds of PKC machine-gun ammunition. All the munitions in the caches were serviceable, said Capt. Richard Aaron, commander of Battery B, 1-9th FA. The three caches were discovered within a five-kilometer radius of each other and the contents were taken to Patrol Base W-1 for disposal.

The same day, a member of the local Sons of Iraq brought a cache to Soldiers stationed at PB W-1. That cache consisted of an IA uniform, a 57 mm projectile, a bag of TNT, a roll of wire, (200) anti-personnel and anti-vehicle pressure plates, a night vision scope, a rifle scope and ten CDs. All items were secured by an explosive ordnance disposal team for disposal. The four caches discovered on May 16th are the latest finds across the area. Over the past week, Battery B Soldiers have removed 13 caches from the Maderiyah area. “The recovery and removal of these caches from the area helps to continue the ever-increasing security and stability in the area, as it removes the opportunity or potential to attack Coalition and IA forces from the area,” Lillibridge said. The cooperation of reporting caches continues to build trust between Coalition Forces and local residents, added Aaron, a native of Middleboro, MA.