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FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELTA, Iraq (April 11, 2008) - A
police-led operation in Numaniyah, Iraq, sent a message to
criminals in the city: Iraqi security forces are in control.
More than 300 Iraqi police and soldiers and coalition forces
troops deployed to Numaniyah to conduct checkpoint operations April
7. Dubbed Operation Crystal Springs, the mission also provided
Iraqi security forces and coalition leadership the opportunity to
engage with local government officials and sheikhs.
"It was an operation that was planned by the Iraqi police,
supported by the Iraqi army and the coalition forces," said Army
Capt. Eric Wigley, commander of the 511th Military Police Company.
"The mission was designed as a nonkinetic mission to go out to
Numaniyah … to set up and conduct numerous checkpoints and just to
let the people know that the Iraqi police, the Iraqi army and the
coalition forces can plan and operate together."
Army Sgt. Shane McAllister, a team leader with the 511th MP
Company, said the mission showed the local populace that Iraqi
security forces are in control of the area and enforcing the rule
of law.
Numaniyah has had little coalition presence in the past. The
Wasit police chief and the 8th Iraqi Army Division commander
identified the city as a security priority, Wigley said.
"They wanted to show the people that they are committed to the
city, they are committed to their populace and they can, when they
want, mass forces to help secure the population," he added.
The forces established four checkpoints strategically placed in
and around the city to interact with residents, search vehicles for
contraband and distribute humanitarian assistance.
At one checkpoint, the Iraqi security forces, along with
soldiers from 511th MP Company, Fort Drum, N.Y., searched more than
200 vehicles. The U.S. forces were there in an advisory role, Army
1st Lt. Lynnette Jefferson, a platoon leader with 511th MP Company,
said.
"Our soldiers knew what was expected of them," she said. "They
understood that the checkpoints were an IP responsibility."
Jefferson said the MPs have trained with the Iraqi police on
conducting vehicle and personnel searches, conducting joint patrols
and reacting to improvised explosive devices, small-arms fire and
precision gunfire.
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