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CAMP STRIKER, Iraq (June 17, 2008) - Iraqi soldiers and
coalition forces conducted an air assault census mission named
"Operation New Town" in Shakriyah, Iraq, June 10.
The 4th Company, 3rd Battalion, 22nd Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army
Division, company commander also participated in the air assault
mission to get a first-hand perspective on what his soldiers will
be doing in the near future.
"I was very impressed," Iraqi army Maj. Ahmed Hassan said. "The
coalition soldiers were treating the people with respect and
helping form a tighter bond with the people we are all responsible
for. Everything went as expected."
Combined with Iraqi army leadership, the census operation
circulated through five groups of houses throughout the Shakriyah
area, 18 kilometers southwest of Baghdad. During census operations,
photos of all military-age males are taken and weapons in
households are counted. The Iraqi army retains all this
information.
"This was a learning experience for both of us," said Army Capt.
Eric Morton, a native of Richmond, Va., and commander of Company B,
1st Battalion, 35th Armor Regiment. "We hadn't been to the area
since we arrived a month ago. The whole goal for us since we
arrived is involving ourselves in census operations to get to know
the people in the areas we represent."
Hassan had his soldiers providing security and controlling the
roads while he and one of his lieutenants joined the 1-35th
soldiers on the air assault.
"We didn't know much about what an air assault was prior to the
mission; this was the first time I have ever even been in a
helicopter," Hassan said. "We were briefed the morning of execution
and went along with the coalition soldiers, helping them complete
the mission."
The Iraqi army soldiers' performance impressed their coalition
counterparts.
"The IA performed well, searching vehicles and providing
security over the area," said U.S. Army Spc. Carl Moore, a native
of Sedalia, Mo. "We didn't have any issues with vehicles or people
passing through the area during the mission."
Coalition forces did the planning for Operation New Town,
enabling the Iraqi army to gain valuable experience and positive
expectations on future operations.
"In the future, the IA will be more involved with the
pre-mission planning," Morton said.
The Iraqi people are much more responsive when the Iraqi army is
involved, as it eases communications and builds positive
relationships, Morton said. He added that the positive response
from the people seen during the mission made things run
properly.
"The people we spoke with were treated very well by the
coalition," Hassan said. "They know us and we know them, so it made
it completely possible to get all the information we needed."
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