Page 235 - Conflitti Militari e Popolazioni Civili - Tomo II

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Throughout November, Howitzer Battery and Iraqi authorities bolstered Tall ‘Afar’s
police by recruiting over 1,000 new police officers and building or rehabilitating 4 police
stations. Recruits received their training at the Jordanian Iraqi Police Academy or the Mosul
Police and Security Academy. The squadron improved its Iraqi partnerships by integrating
the expanded and now better-trained police force within its operations. To further enhance
coordination and security, and strengthen the links between US and Iraqi forces, the Mounted
Riflemen and their Iraqi partners exchanged company and troop-level liaison officers. The
squadron also held weekly security meetings at the JOC with Iraqi battalion commanders,
police station chiefs, and squadron troop commanders, and realigned police boundaries with
military boundaries. US and Iraqi forces continued targeting the troublesome Hai al-Wahda
and Qadisiyah neighborhoods in joint operations, which typically included a cavalry troop,
an Iraqi battalion, and a company from the 2-325th Infantry. 60
The squadron’s last large-scale operation took place on 4 December in Qadisiyah.
Concentrating D, E, and F Troops, the squadron launched a zone reconnaissance to identify,
detain, or kill insurgents. Breaking with past operations, much of the planning responsibility
devolved to Iraqi army and police commanders; the intent was to screen every military-aged
male (MAM) in the area. Starting in the middle of Tall ‘Afar and pushing north, Hickey’s
intent was to drive insurgents into northern Qadisiyah, which would be cordoned off by E
and F Troops. Iraqi forces rounded up and screened over 800 MAMs, 93 of whom were
detained. About 40 of the 93 were sent on to Abu Ghraib for further interrogation. Following
this operation, insurgent attacks were less destructive, less lethal, and seemed to be less
coordinated. December attacks dropped to less than one per day. 61
As the situation in Tall ‘Afar evolved, so too did the nature of 2d Squadron’s operations
in the city. Assigning 2-325th Infantry the responsibility for Sarai freed the squadron’s
troop and company commanders to execute independent operations within their areas of
responsibility. With growing frequency, Iraqi companies and platoons began executing
searches and raids with more autonomy. Civil affairs and Iraqi government projects pumped
over $60 million into infrastructure improvements and repairs. Other positive indications
included regular police patrols and investigations, a functioning court system, and signs of
the return of economic life. 62
On 15 December, Iraq held national elections. As in October, the squadron provided
logistical support and prepared to support Iraqi security forces. Increased turnout by Sunnis
forced the squadron to establish and even man polling sites. Over 40,000 Iraqis cast votes
in Tall ‘Afar, with an additional 30,000 doing so in the rest of the squadron’s AO. The event
was marred when insurgents fired about four 60-mm rounds, which killed two children and
wounded four. Shortly after the elections, 2-325th Infantry departed. To help make up for its
departure and maintain a presence in Sarai, the regiment’s 43d Combat Engineer Company
assumed responsibility for a portion of the neighborhood. Other shifts took place in the Tall
‘Afar AO. On 6 January 2006, 1st Brigade, 3d Iraqi Division moved just north of Tall ‘Afar
to reconstitute; it was replaced by the division’s 2d Brigade. Finally, Company H, along with

60 Ibid., 47. By 1 December over 1,746 recruits were in training.
61 Ibid., 48–49.
62 ibid., 49.