Coalition Forces Work With Iraqi Security Forces
In a set of continuing actions involved in Operation Marne Piledriver, the joint Iraqi Army and Coalition forces worked successfully to clear new areas near Mahmudiyah.
Soldiers from 101st Airborne, 3rd BCT, 320 Field Artillery, 3rd Battalion worked with Iraqi soldiers from the 6th Iraqi Army 25th Brigade 2nd battalion. Working on joint efforts, the Coalition took the role of overwatch, as the Iraqi Soldiers took the lead, working to take the initiative.
“We let the Iraqi Soldiers jump in the lead, we would follow and let them show their stuff,” said Private First Class Nathan Krueger. PFC Krueger is with the 320th Field Artillery. “Each time we would go into a building there would already be a member of the Iraqi Army there doing their job, it was pretty impressive,” said PFC Krueger.
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Operation Marne Piledriver is the major operation at the Task Force level to build capacity in various projects in this region of Iraq. The operation itself is largely Iraqi planned and led, and is giving the Iraqi Army a chance to show its ability. The operation not only is rooting out insurgency, but it is an effort to find and identify area in Iraq that need rebuilding, assistance or support. It is broad based, and a definite challenge to the Iraqi Forces, but they are rising to the task and performing admirably.
“Our defined job is to provide support for the Iraqi Security forces and the Iraqi Army,” said Captain Ryan Mayfield. Captain Mayfield is commander of Battery A, 320th Field Artillery. “We are pleased that the operation is going as well as it is and it speaks well of the overall efforts of the Iraqi Military,” said Captain Mayfield.