IA, Long Knives use intel to drive operations

AMARAH, Iraq - The U.S. Army conducts missions with the informal ethos that "intelligence drives operations." Simply stated, various forms of information tell a commander when and where to go after an enemy, and the forces then execute.

In the Maysan Province, the 10th Iraqi Army Division adopted that same ethos with ongoing success.

After an initial successful push through Amarah resulting in the seizure of thousands of pounds of illegal munitions and weapons, the 10th IA Div. is now turning its attention to Amarah's outlying areas throughout the southeast part of Iraq.

Pointing to a map, Col. Mohammed Abdel Wahlid, the 10th IA Div., operations offi- cer and a Nasiriyah native said, "We have information that the enemy is placing caches here, so we are sending units."

The information Wahlid uses comes from both Iraqi and U.S. intelligence sources, which span the spectrum between technologically advanced systems to simple person-toperson communications.

Major Phillip Gage, the 4th BCT, 1st Cav. Div., Long Knife Brigade, plans officer and a native of Diboll, Texas, believes the Iraqi unit is increasing its effectiveness.

"We are partnering with the IA at all levels - from private up to the division commander," he said. "A key piece to the partnership is sharing of intelligence."

Both units have intelligence gathering capabilities that compliment the other.

"We have the technology to provide the Iraqis with some great information, but they have the firsthand knowledge and information that comes with being born and raised here," Gage said.

The Long Knife Brigade continues to partner with the 10th IA Div. across the Iraqi provinces of Muthanna, Dhi Qar and Maysan.

Historically, criminals used these rural areas to smuggle munitions and weapons into and around Iraq. Units are now able to conduct operations in more rural areas such as Maysan because of the security gains in Baghdad and the highly populated cities in Iraq.

The 10th IA Div., partnered with the 4th BCT,1st Cav. Div., is now successfully intercepting munitions before criminals can employ them against military forces and Iraqi civilians.