Iraqi Police search the cargo of a truck as it passes through the traffic control point set up by IP and U.S. forces along Highway 2 near the town of Al Jaddah Sept. 26. Iraqi Army and Police personnel took over responsibility for the checkpoints after being trained by coalition forces.


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 28, 2006
SR# 092806-152

by Staff Sgt. Samantha M. Stryker
5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

KHAN BANI SA’AD, Iraq (Sept. 27, 2006) -- Members of Iraqi Army and police forces manned traffic control points along two busy highways just south of Baqubah, Sept. 26, in their continuing efforts to take the lead in providing security and stability for their country.

Members of Company D, 1-68 Combined Arms Battalion, provided a helping hand to members of the Iraqi Army’s 5th Division and local police forces in setting up and manning traffic control points in an effort to deter insurgent activity in Diyala Province.

In the early morning along Highway 5, Company D assisted the IA with setting up a checkpoint. Later that same morning, the same Soldiers assisted Iraqi Policemen with a checkpoint along Highway 2.

“We went ahead and got it started for them and let them see what right looks like and then we sort of stepped back and let them take it so that they can get more experience and confidence,” said 1st Sgt. Tommy Hunt, company first sergeant.

Hunt said the checkpoints were the culmination of the U.S. Army’s efforts to train IA and IP forces in security and stability operations. The on-going training also included operations such as cordon-and-search procedures, detainee handling procedures and providing security.

The Iraqis set up the checkpoint along highways known for their use by insurgents as main routes for trafficking weapons and materials used to construct improvised explosive devices into Baghdad.

Iraqi Army Lt. Sadaim took little time to set up his men along the checkpoint and direct traffic as their U.S. counterparts guarded the perimeter. Even the livestock that occasionally crossed the road did little to slow the rhythm set by IA personnel.

Just beyond the security perimeter set by U.S. forces, two consecutive explosions were heard. The Iraqi Soldiers showed no fear as they continued to search and question motorists on the road. Within minutes, a local explained that the explosions were caused by a local farmer using explosives before drilling a well.

As vehicles were searched, IA Soldiers gathered information from passing motorists about insurgent activity in the area.

Sadaim smiled as he spoke through a translator. He said that those passing through his checkpoint were his brothers and his friends and that they would not hurt him. They would tell him if they knew someone was planning something today, he said.

Later that morning, members of Company D headed east to the township of Al Jaddah, along Highway 2, to assist the Iraqi Police with similar operations at a checkpoint across the road from the police station.

At both checkpoints, U.S. Army engineers assisted the Iraqi forces in searching larger trucks and their payloads. Hunt said the engineer assets were used because materials used to construct IEDs have been found in the larger trucks at other checkpoints in the region.

Along with searching tractor-trailers, Iraqi forces at both checkpoints searched vehicles carrying cargo, such as carpets, fabrics and agricultural supplies. Tankers were also eyed by authorities before being allowed to continue down the road.

Hunt said the checkpoints are designed to stop or slow down the insurgents’ ability to transfer bomb making material to areas where Iraqi and coalition forces travel and keep insurgents from planting roadside bombs. He also said they deter attacks against coalition forces by reducing the number of insurgents entering the area.

Despite the long hours and the tedious task of searching hundreds of vehicles and several horse-drawn carts, Iraqi forces remained on point, according to Hunt.

“They can fight the insurgency and restore peace and order to Iraq, which was the end-state all along for this fight, and that is why it’s important for them to take over as the forefront and we can eventually go home,” Hunt said.

An Iraqi policeman examines a motorist's ID and the bill of lading at the traffic control point set up by Iraqi Police and U.S. forces along Highway 2 near the town of Al Jaddah, Iraq, Sept. 26. Iraqi Army and Police personnel took over responsibility for the checkpoints after being trained by coalition forces.

An Iraqi Soldier controls traffic at a traffic control point along Highway 5, south of Baqubah, Iraq, Sept. 26. Iraqi Army and Police personnel took over responsibility for the checkpoints after being trained by coalition forces.

An Iraqi Army Soldier controls the flow of traffic at a flash traffic control point along Highway 5, south of Baqubah, Iraq, Sept 26. Iraqi Army and Police personnel took over responsibility for the checkpoints after being trained by coalition forces.