FORWARD OPERATING BASE EAGLE, BAGHDAD, Iraq, Aug. 30, 2004 — As Operation Iron Fury moved into its second week, the 1st Cavalry Division’s 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team reengaged Mahdi Militia Forces in an effort to secure locations within Sadr City for the resumption of civil-military operations, Aug. 27.

Since Aug. 5, civilian contractors responsible for the restoration of water, electric and sewage facilities as well as trash collection have become easy targets for the anti-Iraq forces in one of the poorest sections of Baghdad.

“Since Aug. 5, we’ve made several attempts to send civilian contractors out into the city to perform civil relief projects,” said 1st Lt. Raymie Walters, 1st Platoon Leader, Company A, 2-5 Cav. “Obviously contractors don’t want to go out into a city where they’re constantly getting attacked, where there are [improvised explosive devices] on the road and mortars are being fired at them by the Mahdi Army.”

Walters said, in addition to the primary mission of securing the area for future operations, troopers were also directed to talk with the local populace to better gauge their opinion of the Mahdi Militia.

Overwhelmingly residents of the war-torn area voiced their frustration and anger at the militia, noting that they were tired of the civilian casualties, tired of being without basic services and wanting nothing more than to get back to their normal life.

“The Mahdi Army isn’t very accurate with their mortar rounds and gun fire,” said Walters, a native of Longview, Wash, “They kill civilians on a regular basis. The people of this area see that and they’re just tired of it.”

The sentiments of the citizens were punctuated by a mortar

attack launched by the Mahdi Militia that destroyed a power sub-station in the area, disabling the power of at least six city blocks. It is unknown at this time if the attack was intentional or if this was just another example of the Mahdi’s inaccuracy inflicting collateral damage. It is also unknown when the sub-station will be operational again said Capt. Brian O’Malley, Public Affairs Officer, 1st Brigade Combat Team.

As troopers entered a vacant building to establish an observation post, children of the area crowded around the soldiers and their vehicles with shouts of “I love you” and the positive affirmation of the “thumbs-up” sign. A noticeably different feeling existed on the street during past missions.

“There’s definitely a lot more people on the street today. Shops are open and people are out and about,” said Staff Sgt. Mathew Mercado, 1st Squad Leader, 1st Platoon, Company A, 2-5 Cav, as he took up a position on the second floor of the building looking down into the market area.

A local shopkeeper said that this was the first day in almost a month he had actually been able to open his shop and make money for his family.

Even with the recent diminished insurgent activity in the area, troopers maintained a vigilant eye over the streets looking for the telltale signs of a militia attack.

“If only we could make … the bad people of Sadr City, understand…” sighed Sgt. Jeremy Abbott, Command Radio Telephone Operator, Company A, 2-5 Cav.. “If they would just stop fighting us, we can do so much for this area.”