Iraqi Army Takes Lead in Operation Marne Piledriver

An Iraqi Army Soldier leads Coalition and other IA Soldiers during a clearance mission in the Mahmudiyah area that started Operation Marne Piledriver April 15. U.S. Army photo by Pvt. Christopher McKenna, 3rd BCT, 101st Abn. Div.

Dispatches from the Front:

FORWARD OPERATING BASE MAHMUDIYAH, April 17, 2008 -- Operation Marne Piledriver launched in the Mahmudiyah area April 15 as Iraqi Army and Coalition forces conducted joint clearance missions.

Soldiers with 1st and 2nd Battalions, 25th Brigade, 6th IA Division and 3rd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) combined to conduct dismounted patrols and an air assault.

“The Iraqi Soldiers took initiative from the start,” said Pfc. Nathan Krueger, from St. Clair, Mich., Battery A, 3-320th FA. “Every time I went into a building, there would already be an IA Soldier clearing or searching the area. Once we got on-site, they took the lead.”

Marne Piledriver is the first Task Force Marne major operation focused on capacity-building projects throughout the Rakkasans’ area of operation. This Iraqi Army-led operation will continue efforts to root out insurgency and stimulate economic growth and development throughout the Mahmudiyah Qada.

“Our role was to support the Iraqi Army,” said Capt. Ryan Mayfield, from Culver, Ind., commander of Battery A. “Because of what has been going on in the whole country, specifically Mahmudiyah, we are continuing to maintain momentum and … provide the basic needs, as well as freedom of movement to the people so that the government and tribes can continue to help build the area.”

The Soldiers from 2/25/6 IA Div. teamed with 3rd Platoon, Btry. A, 3-320th FA on dismount patrols, while 1/25/6 IA Div. partnered with Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 3-320th FA.

“Now that we feel the AQI (al-Qaeda in Iraq) presence is at a minimum, we are about to start establishing Sons of Iraq checkpoints through the area, which adds to the freedom of movement,” Mayfield said. “The main effort of our portion of Piledriver is to develop multiple projects as well as solid governance in the area. We are providing support to the Iraqi Army wherever they deem it’s needed.”

(Story by Pvt. Christopher McKenna, 3rd BCT, 101st Abn. Div. (AASLT) PAO.)

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