Four Day Mission Becomes Open Ended Endeavor
There were many days of fighting to retake the streets of Sadr City but finally peace and calm were restored. Traditionally the poorest region of Baghdad, the Sadr City region has been a safe haven at various times for members of Al Qaeda and terrorists.
Soldiers from 4th Infantry Division, 3rd BCT, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, 21st Infantry Regiment, 1st Battalion, Company B worked together with both other Coalition Soldiers and members of the Iraqi Security forces to take the area back, working street to street.
The work relentlessly to drive the terrorist out ahead of them, and what began first as a 4 day- 96 hour tasking mission that was scheduled for March 26th slowly morphed into a open ended ongoing mission. Captain Scott Bailey spoke about the mission. “We did have a lot of contact at first, but our attacks were coordinated and things have settled down for the most part,” said Bailey.
Captain Bailey is a Company Commander with 21st Infantry.
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Captain Bailey gives some of the credit for the quiet to the Coalition forces and his troops; he believes that a great deal of the quiet currently existing in Sadr City is from their efforts.
“I believe we have helped the Sadr City people restart their future,” said Captain Bailey.
Soldiers in his unit are a little more pessimistic, but they too believe their efforts helped. “We have caused the shooting to stop, but as to whether or not the people improved their lives only time will tell,” said Staff Sgt James Dean.
Sgt Dean is a 21st Infantry, 1 Battalion, Company B, 4th Platoon leader.