Sykes Regulars seizes weapons, captures suspect with help of informant

Gulf1 ^ | Feb. 20, 2004 | Sgt. Jeremy Heckler Task Force Olympia Public Affairs

[Cannoneer No. 4]

MOSUL, IRAQ (Feb. 20, 2004) - With the help of a concerned citizen, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment under the operational control of Task Force Olympia, took explosives and an arms dealer off the streets of a small village outside of Qarrayah Feb. 19.

Company A responded to a tip from an informant who came to battalion headquarters and reported the presence of mortars in the village and identified a weapons dealer who was responsible for selling them.

"We had intelligence from the battalion level that a source knew of a man trafficking arms and could take us there," said Capt. Matthew Dabkowski, commander Company A.

Dabkowski said in response to the information the unit rolled into the village early the next morning and sealed it off.

"We got the call, set up and rolled in," said Pfc. Cliff Wolf, Co. A. "We surprised everyone and cleared the area and then started looking for weapons."

The company gathered 669 60mm mortar rounds as well as fuses and a rocket propelled grenade sight.

In addition to the mortars, the company took into custody two people who were suspected of trafficking the weapons and explosives.

After the end of combat operations in the village, the Soldiers of Company A awaited the arrival of the explosive ordnance disposal team who would transport the weapons to a safe area and properly dispose of them.

Everyone in the platoon took on the challenge and came home without incident.

Wolf said the help of the informant was invaluable in making the mission a success.

"It was a whole lot easier because you aren't knocking down everyone's door and harassing civilians," said Wolf.

"This helps us to collect weapons and get rid of the means for them to be used against us as well as not disturb the population," said Staff Sgt. Clifford Beattie, Co. A.

Beattie said the work of the informant was important because it eliminated the possibility of them going to the wrong building.

The Soldiers of Company A returned to their forward operating base after the end of the mission.

"Whenever we leave on a mission and it's successful, it is good for morale," said Dabkowski.

"This is definitely motivating for us," said 2nd Lt. Kevin Hutcheson, platoon leader, Co. A. "To go out and find something like two or three mortars is cool, to find 600 really makes a difference."

In addition to the boost to the Soldiers morale, the mission also demonstrated what happens when Iraqis and Americans work together.

"It shows that within the Iraqi population there are individuals willing to take personal risk to identify bad guys," said Dabkowski. "It shows they are as committed as we are to a safe, stable and secure Iraq."

[Cannoneer No. 4]

Y'all might like this one.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

Stryker Ping No. 2

[Cannoneer No. 4]

George Sykes

(1822-1880)

A Delaware native and West Pointer (1842), Sykes was a veteran of infantry service in both the Seminole and Mexican wars, earning a brevet in the latter. At 1st Bull Run he commanded the only regular army infantry on the field, an eight-company battalion from various regiments, and was highly effective in slowing the rout of the volunteers. He then commanded the regulars near Washington and in the midst of the Peninsula Campaign was given charge of a division composed mostly of regular army units. He had already fought at Yorktown and in divisional command participated in the Seven Days fighting. He was at 2nd Bull Run and in reserve at Antietam. Given a second star in the volunteer service, he fought at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville before taking charge of the 5th Corps upon George G. Meade's assumption of army command just prior to Gettysburg. There he fought in support of the hard-pressed 3rd Corps on the second day. Mustered out of the volunteer service on January 15, 1866, he reverted to his regular army rank and died on active duty in Texas as colonel, 20th Infantry, and brevet major general for the war.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

[Cannoneer No. 4]

20th Infantry Lineage and Honors

[BushisTheMan]

These guys kick butt! Nice job soldiers.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

How do ya like that, an official press release - to the press! How does the DoD expect us to find TF Olympia news when they release it to the press? Lol. Thanks, Cannoneer. (^:
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MOSUL, IRAQ  - With the help of a concerned citizen, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment under the operational control of Task Force Olympia, took explosives and an arms dealer off the streets of a small village outside of Qarrayah Feb. 19.

...The company gathered 669 60mm mortar rounds as well as fuses and a rocket propelled grenade sight.

"This is definitely motivating for us," said 2nd Lt. Kevin Hutcheson, platoon leader, Co. A. "To go out and find something like two or three mortars is cool, to find 600 really makes a difference."

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5th Battalion, 20th Infantry ~ Task Force Olympia, ping!

[MEG33]

Good haul ! Cooperation , good info by the Iraqis against the perps will help the Iraqis build a nation.

[blackie]

5th Battalion, 20th Infantry ~ Task Force Olympia ~ Bump!

[Alamo-Girl]

Bump!

[Michael121]

But, but, but...... where do the French, the UN and John (you know I am a veteran) Kerry stand on this?

WE have cooperation from the Iraqi people, Intel on the ground, but what about the CIA? This is all a ruse to shore up GW before the election...... besides, where was GW? Why didn't he know about these "arms dealers"?

hehehehe that was easy any fool can do it.....even me :o)

Good job to the boots....maybe they can rent Saddam's "spider hole" to the dems after the Election.

I Salute those who stand on the front lines. ";o)

To the critics (the Dems) I offer only pity.

[windchime]

Bump!