Soldiers from the 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, from Fort Bragg, N.C., and soldiers from the 5th Iraqi Army Division conduct a search of a village near Balad Ruz, Iraq, April 28. The paratroopers, in conjunction with Iraqi Army soldiers, conduct patrols and village engagements to keep insurgent activity out of the area. Four months after a major operation called “Turki Bowl II,” the area has seen a dramatic decrease in insurgent activity. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Armando Monroig, 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SR# B280
May 5, 2007

By Sgt. Armando Monroig
5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

BALAD RUZ, Iraq -- Four months after U.S. troops and their Iraqi Army counterparts launched a massive military operation in the villages Turki, Hamoud and 30 Tamuz, what was once an insurgent safe haven is now considered one of the quietest places in Diyala.

During the massive, nine-day assault dubbed “Turki Bowl II,” which concluded Jan. 13, about 100 insurgents were killed and 54 were detained for suspected involvement in terrorist activities in the area.

The operation, led by the 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, from Fort Bragg, N.C., yielded weapons caches containing more than 1,100 Katyusha rockets, 1,500 rocket-propelled grenades, 500 mortars and a variety of materials used to make roadside bombs, called Improvised Explosive Devises.

The area is now considered under control by Iraqi and Coalition Forces, which has established a joint patrol base in Turki to maintain a constant presence there.
“It’s quiet. Four months before the operation, I saw the shooting of (local leaders), many IEDs, the road was dangerous,” said 1st Lt. Ali, a company commander in 3rd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division.

“Now, it is safe. No terrorists are in this area, because the Iraqi Army and U.S. Army always patrol together.”

Ali and his soldiers share the responsibility of running the patrol base with their U.S. counterparts, who confirm a decrease in the level of violence in the area.
“Since we’ve been out here after Turki Bowl II, things have been pretty quiet,” said Sgt. Brandon Herron, from Troop B, 5-73 Cav. Regt. “With all the IA check points in the area, the incidences of IEDs have cut down dramatically.

“We’ve pretty much rooted out all of the enemy in the area. They’ve either fled, been captured or are lying low. I think having the IA and our presence out here has made a huge difference in the security of this area,” Herron said.

Despite the improved security in the Balad Ruz area, Staff Sgt. Donald McElroy said there’s still a possibility that his unit will find more insurgents while patrolling the canals and villages assaulted by coalition forces in January.

“I believe that those who weren’t killed, detained, and were lucky enough to get out of here, still come back,” said McElroy, also from Troop B. “That’s why we continue to patrol, because you never know.”

“Before Turki Bowl, (local residents) did not trust the coalition forces in the area,” said 2nd Lt. Jeremy Dionida, platoon leader for Recon Platoon, 5-73rd Cav. “Now with them telling us where the IEDs and (anti-tank) mines are, that’s a good indication that they put a lot of trust in us.”


A Soldier from the 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, from Fort Bragg, N.C., stands guard at the entrance of a home in Turki village, near Balad Ruz, Iraq, April 28. The paratroopers, in conjunction with Iraqi Army soldiers, conduct patrols and village engagements to keep insurgent activity out of the area. Four months after a major operation called “Turki Bowl II,” the area has seen a dramatic decrease in insurgent activity. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Armando Monroig, 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)


An Iraqi soldier from the 3rd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division, pulls security April 28 at a patrol base near Balad Ruz, Iraq. The Iraqi soldiers, in conjunction with the 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, conduct patrols and village engagements to keep insurgent activity out of the area. Four months after a major operation called “Turki Bowl II,” the area has seen a dramatic decrease in insurgent activity. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Armando Monroig, 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)

Labels: 5-73rd Cavalry, 5th Iraqi Army Division, Balad Ruz, Diyala Province, Good News, Iraq, Iraqi Army, photos, US Army