Roadway Cleared Of IED Devices By Joint Forces
The improved and heightened security situation in Iraq is becoming more apparent. It has led to the success of joint efforts to clear roads and rout the enemy. At a recent press conference both Iraqi Army Officers and Coalition officials spoke with reporters about the series of successes recently in Iraq.
The Road to Baqubah has been closed for nearly sixteen months because of the intense amount of enemy insurgent ordinance that was known to be planted there. Slowly, the highway has been searched and cleared, and now the Road to Baqubah has been reopened for traffic.
“This has been a key route that was shutdown due to the security situation,†said Lieutenant Colonel Marshall Dougherty. Colonel Dougherty is Commander of 2nd Squadron, 1st Cav, 4th Stryker BCT, 2nd Infantry. “We are excited to report that the road from Baghdad to Baqubah is now open again for vehicle traffic,†said Dougherty.
The reopening of the road was truly a joint effort. American and Coalition forces removed over 30 IED devices on the road, and the Iraqi Army chipped in finding nearly 40 IED devices as a result of their own extensive search.
“The Iraqi Forces are more and more taking the lead,†said Dougherty. “We have encouraged the Iraqi Army Commanders to take point, and our individual MiTT transition teams have helped out only when requested to by the Iraqi Commanders,†said Dougherty.
“We are very pleased at the success of all our joint operations with the Iraqi National Police and the Iraqi Army,†stated Colonel Dougherty.
