Cooperation between Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition forces leads to capture of criminals

By Pfc. Justin Naylor, 2nd BCT, 1st Cav. Div. Public AffairsMarch 27, 2009

Adult males wait outside of their village while Iraqi Army, Iraqi Police and Soldiers from 4th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division conduct operation "Dark Horse Cossack Two" in the village of Yourgun,...
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Adult males wait outside of their village while Iraqi Army, Iraqi Police and Soldiers from 4th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division conduct operation "Dark Horse Cossack Two" in the village of Yourgun, March 1... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Iraqi Police and Iraqi Army talk to the village leader, known as a Muktar, during operation "Dark Horse Cossack Two" March 15. The operation was conducted in the village of Yourgun, Kirkuk, Iraq, and was lead by IA and IP with assistance from U.S....
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Iraqi Police and Iraqi Army talk to the village leader, known as a Muktar, during operation "Dark Horse Cossack Two" March 15. The operation was conducted in the village of Yourgun, Kirkuk, Iraq, and was lead by IA and IP with assistance from U.S. mi... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Lt. Col. Andy Shoffner, of Harker Heights, Texas, the commander of 4th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, and Iraqi Police Brig. Gen. Sarhad, the police chief for the rural areas in the region, speak...
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Lt. Col. Andy Shoffner, of Harker Heights, Texas, the commander of 4th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, and Iraqi Police Brig. Gen. Sarhad, the police chief for the rural areas in the region, speak with a... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORWARD OPERATING BASE WARRIOR, Kirkuk, Iraq- Cooperation between Iraqi Police, Iraqi army and Coalition Forces, led to the arrest of five criminals, in the village of Yourgun, Kirkuk, March 16.

The individuals were suspected of conducting insurgent activities and various other crimes and were detained based on their outstanding warrants.

This mission was the largest-scale cooperation between IA, IP and 4th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, in the squadron's area of operation to this date, said Lt. Col. Andy Shoffner, 4th Sqdn., 9th Cav. Regt.'s commander.

"When we went in to the town we had a list of people we wanted to detain," Shoffner said.

Upon entering the village, with the assistance of local tips, ISF were able to halt two individuals attempting to flee on foot, and later found three more criminals wanted by the IP, Shoffner said. "What made this a success was the coordination between the Iraqi Army and Iraqi Police."

"Three years ago, we planned and they followed," said Capt. Jesse Prince, commanding officer, Troop A, 4th Sqdrn., 9th Cav. Regt. "Now they are planning their own missions. It is a significant increase in the efficiency and capability of the ISF."

The U.S military was just there to augment their outer-cordon and provide aerial support, explosive ordnance disposal and military working dogs, Prince said.

"The people of the village expressed their happiness at seeing us all working together," Shoffner said.

According to Shoffner, continued joint operations in the region are planned for the future, and residents of the area will continue to see coordination between IA, IP and US military.