Staff Sgt. Robert Fisher, 37, of Carlisle, Ark., sifts
through bomb-making material found at a suspect's house during a raid launched
today by Company C, 3rd Battalion, 153rd Infantry Regiment of the Army's 39th
Brigade Combat Team in eastern Baghdad. Photo by Staff Sgt. Rebekah-mae Bruns,
USA
(Click photo for screen-resolution image); high-resolution image available.
|
Company leaders claim the individual was the brains behind nearly 200 mortars
targeting their 1.5-acre compound since the unit's arrival in Baghdad in April.
Platoon Sgt. Robert Fisher, 37, of Carlisle, Ark., said the man was difficult
to find because he frequently moved to avoid capture. "He had several places he
lived," said Fisher. "He didn't stay in one spot." The suspect was purported to
have dwellings in Fallujah and the Baghdad neighborhoods of Damyia and Rusafa.
The Arkansas-based Company C has destroyed three mortar teams over the past
several months. The individual captured on this mission is reportedly
responsible for recruiting those and other teams from Fallujah.
"He was bringing other teams in from Fallujah in order to hit us simultaneously
with mortars from two different locations," Fisher said. "He was the brain
bringing them in and firing us up."
Upon searching the suspect's house, soldiers found a mortar tube, mortar plate
and material used to create roadside improvised explosive devices. Next to
mortar attacks, IEDs are one of the most common methods insurgents use to kill
or injure American troops in Iraq.
Soldiers said the captured individual cooperated with officials, giving names
and locations of mortar team members underneath him in hopes of an easier
sentence. "We tell them that if they cooperate, it will make their sentence
easier," Fisher said. "We tell them we're not here to hurt them."
The raiding party -- on its fourth combat mission in two days -- searched the
house without resistance. Soldiers were in and out within 20 minutes, giving no
time for a counterattack by insurgents.
"I do like to get the bad guy," Fisher said.
Despite capturing a suspected cell leader, the soldiers stopped short of
claiming victory. "It was a relief to know we got the main cell leader, but
there are still mortar teams out there in our sector," said Fisher. "The threat
is still there."
(Army Staff Sgt. Rebekah-mae Bruns is assigned to the 39th Brigade Combat Team
Public Affairs Office.)
 | This detainee, captured today, was reportedly recruiting men
from Fallujah to work with mortar teams in Baghdad against multinational forces
in eastern Baghdad. Photo by Staff Sgt. Rebekah-mae Bruns, USA
|
 | High resolution photo
|
Printer-friendly Version
Email A Copy
Printer Friendly