Elements of the 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment and Iraqi National Police conducted a raid east of Baghdad resulting in the detention of a high-value individual and three other suspected extremists Sept. 30.Soldiers from Troop A and the Time-Sensitive Target platoon of the 3-1 Cav. Regt. conducted the raid with their police partners to kill or capture the HVI and to deny extremists sanctuary in the regimentÂ’s area of operation.
The HVI is suspected of maintaining a leadership position in a local extremist network. Information obtained by the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team officials links the HVI to indirect fire attacks against Coalition Forces and weapons smuggling.
“Detaining this individual should assist us in reducing indirect fire attacks and takes us one step closer to making the Al-Kut Highway a safe route,” said Maj. Desmond Bailey, a native of Alabama, the 3-1 Cav. Regt. operations officer.
Bailey further explained that continued efforts to engage local leaders has resulted in greater information on suspected extremists and insurgents in the squadronÂ’s area of operation.
An Iraqi Security Force uniform, an AK-47 assault rifle and a large amount of small-arms ammunition were seized during the raid.
The 3-1 Cav. Regt. is part of the 3rd HBCT, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga., and has been deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom since March 2007.