In the skies over Basra, a crack squad of highly trained RAF Regiment snipers have been hard at work supporting ground troops and Immediate Response Teams (IRT) under fire from Iraqi militia.
In the skies over Basra, a crack squad of highly trained RAF Regiment snipers have been hard at work supporting ground troops and Immediate Response Teams (IRT) under fire from Iraqi militia.

Flying with RAF Merlin and Lynx crews, the heavily armed heli-snipers can be mobilised at short notice to locate and eliminate enemy positions, reducing the threat to Army ground troops and medical units on the ground.

So far the heli-snipers have been deployed to give force protection for Lynx immediate response teams, scrambled to evacuate casualties, fire support for deliberate operations, rapid route clearance for convoys, and to counter the threat from militia preparing crude explosive devices.

Using IRT for the role gives the heli-snipers the ability to respond quickly. Travelling by air also gives them an improved field of vision, allowing them to relay vital surveillance to commanders on the ground.

Cpl Sean McKinnel of the RAF Regiment’s 2 Squadron explained the heli-sniper’s role:

“We act as top cover to provide protection during many tasks. The tasks since deploying to Op TELIC have included covering US BLACKHAWKS as they evacuate casualties from Basra Palace, covering UK MERLIN helicopters inserting troops. We have also been employed in covering urban areas likely to be used to launch rockets against the COB.

“Operating from the helicopters offers us great observation and a different perspective to that on the ground. We are able to assist in securing areas rapidly and are able to engage targets at greater ranges.”

Fellow 2 Sqn sniper SAC Gambling said:

“The great thing about the heli-sniping tasks are that you never know what you are going to get on your next shout. Every call-out is different.”

Tasks such as fence-line checks which can take ground patrols hours to complete can be accomplished in minutes. Armed with advanced rifles, equipped with laser-marking capability, the RAF sniper teams have already proved effective in combat.

As well as a range of cutting edge thermal imagers, the teams have been issued with laser target designators, range finders and a suite of VHF radios for maintaining air to ground communications, allowing them to counter the threat from vehicle borne suicide attacks by calling in air strikes.

Each field squadron within the RAF Regiment has a section of sniper-qualified riflemen who provide the surveillance and target acquisition capability for the squadron.

The section has a heli-sniper team on standby around the clock to respond to specific incidents. The team work on a rotational basis, with the heli-snipers carrying out ground sniping and surveillance duties when not on standby.

In order to operate the cutting edge battlefield technology, heli-snipers are put through a tough nine-week training course at Honington, covering all the essential elements of sniping and surveillance, including specialist marksmanship skills such as angular shooting and advanced correction for wind. 2 Sqn RAF Regiment sniper Cpl Ian McClive said:

“As this is a new skill to all the lads, we had to conduct a number of range sessions aboard the helicopters to see the effects on our shooting. Now after a little practise all of the lads are confident at engaging targets on the move from a helicopter.”

Once qualified as snipers, specialists can go on to command a sniper section, but continual training is required for Service personnel to hone their shooting skills to deal with continually changing combat environments.

This article by Simon Williams first appeared in the 28 March 2008 issue of RAF News – Voice of the Royal Air Force.

© UK Crown copyright 2008

Prior to fighting breaking out in Kadhamiyah, there were no signs of the possibility of special group cells targeting Iraqi security and coalition forces. The biggest threat at that time appeared to be vehicle borne improvised explosive devices.

However, once violence began in Basra and east Baghdad, local citizens in the area began acting differently themselves. Apparently, criminal elements began spreading the word to the local Iraqis to go into their homes and not come out.

These criminals even marched in Kadhamiyah chanting, “Death to Maliki. Death to Maliki.”

Coalition forces even received a tip March 28 that ISF checkpoints would come under attack, said 1st Lt. Sam Rosenberg, a native of Fort Myers, Fla., platoon leader for 2nd Platoon, Company D, 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment. In response, three platoons pushed out into sector and took their positions to help reinforce the checkpoints – where they sat for a few hours until it was determined there would not be an attack.

“The streets were empty, but it was quiet and the (Iraqi army) was doing what they were supposed to be doing,” said Capt. Brad Henry, a native of Andover Township, N.J., who is the commander of Co. D, 1-502nd Inf. Regt. “It was weird, but nothing was out of the ordinary.”

Once Henry got back to the base, he received another tip that 20 to 25 men were massing in Kadhamiyah. He ordered the company’s 4th Platoon to investigate the tip. As soon as the platoon came to the intersection, they were ambushed by special group criminals.

“The entire area basically blew up,” Rosenberg said. “They called out ‘we are in contact; we are in contact.’”

Fighting Breaks Out
Fighting broke out throughout the area. The platoon was attacked with rocket propelled grenades and PKCs, and immediately started laying down fire on positively identified enemy combatants, said 1st Lt. Paul Brown, a native of Canfield, Ohio, who is the platoon leader for 4th Platoon. “As soon as my gunner was able to PID a guy, he just started engaging him. They did an awesome job.”

“We weren’t running from the fight,” said Henry. “We were going to secure the intersection and engage targets of opportunity.”

With Brown’s platoon under contact and decisively laying down the enemy, Rosenberg sent his platoon forward to support the Soldiers in their engagements.

“We sent our trucks right in behind them,” Rosenberg said. “They had interlocking fire on the enemy. There was a lot of fire, mostly RPGs.”

As the platoon moved toward the site, its Soldiers were also fired upon at an intersection. With the amount of RPGs and smalls-arms fire being fired, said Henry, and the numerous caches hidden by the criminals in the area, the right side of the road caught fire.

The Soldiers of Rosenberg’s platoon then saw an opportunity to push forward into a market to get a better angle of fire on the enemy. Fourth platoon shifted fire as Rosenberg’s platoon pushed up into what they now call “Death Valley.”

“On the right side, there was a huge fire, and to my left were alleyways,” Rosenberg said. The Soldiers pulled security down the alleyways and were receiving fire from there also.

“It was a shooting gallery; guys were popping out of everywhere,” he said. Criminals were popping out from corners and firing rounds, while others stood atop balconies and rooftops and snuck in pop shots; however, it had no effect on the Soldiers.

“The gunners did an awesome job,” said Rosenberg. Initially, the platoon sergeant’s truck was in the lead.

One RPG hit right in front of his truck; then, as the criminal came back from behind his corner to fire, he was hit with .50-caliber rounds. The gunner, Pfc. Hunter Bruns, saved his fellow comrades from being hit with an RPG.

“He saved my truck,” said Rosenberg.

“Pfc. Bruns was absolutely incredible,” said Rosenberg. “He was unloading on guys 150 meters away from him and shooting controlled pairs at their head.”

He said he really couldn’t say enough about how his platoon and the rest of the company performed that night and over the next couple of days.

“My guys did awesome. With the exception of fours guys, it was everyone’s first time in contact,” said Rosenberg, “so you expect everyone to be nervous, but their training kicked in. Everyone was calm, controlled and did their job perfectly. You’ve got 18- and 19-year-old Soldiers dealing with getting shot at for the first time, and they did as well as anybody could have ever asked.”

For Pfc. Eric Weekly, a native of Urbana, Iowa, and a gunner for 1st Platoon, Co. D, it was his first time coming into contact with the enemy – and he made the most of it.

“We were sitting on Route Vernon facing northeast and an RPG flew over the truck from the west,” he said. “We swung around to PID the guy, and he shot another one. We got positive identification and engaged him with about ten rounds of .50-cal. and shot the guy as he went to shoot the third one.”

Altogether, Rosenberg said he believes the company killed an estimated 12 terrorists.

Iraqi Army Stands Firm
However, the U.S. troops weren’t the only ones who stayed in the fight, doing what they could to eliminate any enemy activity.

Henry said he believes the special groups criminals expected the Iraqi army soldiers from the 5th vattalion, 22nd brigade, 6th Iraqi army division, to lay down their arms; however, that was not the case. Once the terrorists saw that the IA Soldiers were staying, they had to change their game plan.

“They proved they were there to stay and fight,” Henry said. “The first night out, all their guys were manning their (tactical checkpoints); they were securing the intersections they needed to secure.”

The Iraqi army battalion is responsible for manning checkpoints in the out muhallahs around Kadhamiyah, said Henry, who added he felt they did a good job not letting anyone within.

They secured alleyways, which the criminals were using to maneuver and fire upon Iraqi security and coalition forces, Henry said.

“They are reliable,” he declared

Perhaps it is a true testament of how far the Iraqi army has come. Nearly a year ago, when Co. D, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division controlled the area, the Soldiers also faced a similar attack from special groups’ forces, said Henry.

The Soldiers in the unit went to arrest a group of criminals at a building in Kadhamiyah and were ambushed as well, he said.

At that time, however, the IA did not help with the fight at all.

“We didn’t see any of that happen this time. They were here to fight,” said Henry.

The IA soldiers played vital role securing a key checkpoint during the engagements, he said. Along the Tigris River, on one of the main routes in Kadhamiyah, the IA secured the tactical control point, which allowed freedom of movement for coalition and ISF to push combat power into the fight at any given time.

“I think the IA did very well during the incidents,” Brown said. “They manned their checkpoints and didn’t run and leave. They did what they thought was right. The Iraqi army withstood enemy contact and helped secure key terrain during the conflict.”

Troops Avoid Trap
The attacks set by the criminal elements were very complex, to say the least, said Henry, adding that he believes the special groups set themselves up around the Kadhamiyah shrine and set up boundaries around them as their defensive perimeter.

The terrorists used explosively formed projectiles as a protective barrier on the outside perimeter, he added, hoping coalition and ISF would cross their outer boundary, at which point they would come under attack from EFPs and other explosives, with RPGs and small-arms fire used as their inner perimeter security.

However, that was not the case.

“We smacked them pretty good,” said Henry. “We were very careful not to push into their perimeter.”

As a result of the damage inflicted on the criminal forces, Henry said he believes they have either left town or gone into hiding, which is allowing life to get back to normal in Kadhamiyah.

Local citizens are once again moving throughout the area, and the shops are open. The markets are not as busy as they usually are, which is understandable because the people are still a bit apprehensive.

Iraqi army soldiers will continue to man checkpoints in Kadhamiyah to deter any enemy combatants from entering the area as the daily lives of the people return to normal, said Brown.

DVIDS
By Sgt. James Hunter
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division

ISF, CF take fight to terrorists

Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers killed 8 terrorists in a series of attacks March 27 in Baghdad.

At 1:45 p.m., Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, were patrolling in Adhamiyah when one of their vehicles was struck by a rocket-propelled Grenade. Five minutes later, the patrol was attacked by small-arms fire. The Soldiers returned the attack with precision fire and killed one terrorist. One U.S. Soldier received a minor wound, but continued the mission.

Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, killed two terrorists who engaged them with small arms fire in Mansour at approximately 3 p.m.

At approximately 4:30 p.m., a team from 1st Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, engaged and killed a terrorist who was controlling indirect fire on the northern edge of Sadr City.

In New Baghdad, a vehicle from 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, was struck by an improvised-explosive device at 5:20 p.m. The patrol positively identified the trigger man, engaged and killed the terrorist.

In Kadamiyah, Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 502 Infantry Regiment, reported a terrorists who fired a RPG at a building, which set it on fire at 5:40 p.m. As the Soldiers moved in to investigate, terrorists fired an additional RPG round and small-arms fire at their patrol. One Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle was struck by an RPG, however, there were no injuries to the team inside. Soldiers returned fire and killed three terrorists.

Iraqi Security Forces, Coalition forces target terrorists

Baghdad soldiers killed 26 terrorists during operations March 27 in Baghdad.

While patrolling in Adhamiyah, soldiers from 1st Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment were attacked by small arms fire. The soldiers returned fire in self-defense, killing five terrorists and wounding an additional five terrorists. The wounded were treated and detained by Iraqi National Police.

Later, soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, reported receiving indirect fire at a combat outpost in New Baghdad, and immediately following the initial attack, soldiers were attacked with small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades. Coalition forces returned fire and killed two terrorists.

Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, also came under a small arms fire attack while patrolling north of Baghdad. One terrorist was killed in the engagement.

Soldiers from 2-16 Inf. Regt. killed three terrorists in New Baghdad. The ground force was conducting a dismounted patrol when they saw the suspects, who were armed with illegal weapons. Perceiving hostile intent, the soldiers engaged the men, killing three.

Soldiers from 1-2 SCR were attacked by small arms fire by two terrorists while patrolling on the outskirts of Sadr City. An air weapons team in a rotary wing aircraft conducting surveillance positively identified the terrorists and killed them.

In Kadhamiyah, Soldiers from 1st Squadron, 75th Cavalry Regiment, were attacked while manning a checkpoint in the area. An air weapons team flying a rotary wing aircraft was called in to assist the ground force. The air weapons team fired one hellfire missile was fired, killing three terrorists. Thirty minutes later, the checkpoint came under a second, heavier attack by terrorists. The air weapons team engaged with 30mm rounds, killing an additional 10 terrorists.

Iraqi Security Forces, U.S. Special Forces engage criminal elements in Hillah, al-Kut

Hillah’s Iraqi Special Weapons and Tactics unit, advised by U.S. Special Forces, engaged Special Groups criminals in Hillah, killing 14 and wounding 20 March 26.

Criminals armed with AK-47 assault rifles, rocket propelled grenades and automatic machine guns attacked two companies of Hillah SWAT as they were securing a road intersection. As a firefight developed, a U.S. Special Forces team arrived and, fighting alongside SWAT, began engaging the armed individuals.

The criminal group broke contact after delivering intense RPG and automatic weapons fire, and was seen by an Air Weapons Team regrouping in three groups of 20 to 30 men near a mosque.

The AWT, from 3rd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, reported the armed individuals were maneuvering back toward SWAT and the U.S. SF team, and, due to the hostile intent of the act, engaged the threat from the air. One Hellfire missile was fired, killing five.

After the strike, the AWT reported the remaining group of individuals dispersed and were no longer a threat.

Nine Hillah SWAT team members were killed during the firefight. Two additional SWAT team members were injured and treated by a U.S. SF medic.

Also March 26 in Al Kut, an Iraqi Special Weapons and Tactics unit advised by U.S. SF conducted a combined presence patrol to counter recent violence in the area. The patrol took small-arms and RPG fire in the Old Izza and Karamiyah districts. Both times, the patrol returned fire suppressing the enemy fighters.

As the patrol left the Old Izza and Karamiyah districts, they linked up with Iraqi Police and 8th Division Iraqi Army Scouts. The group then patrolled the Sharkiyah district, also receiving small-arms fire from a vehicle with four armed individuals. The patrol engaged the vehicle, killing two individuals.

After eliminating the threat in the area, the patrol departed for the Al Kut SWAT headquarters and was attacked by an improvised explosive device. One vehicle was damaged, but the attacks resulted in no injuries.

The Al Kut patrol killed 11 enemy fighters.

ISF, CF defend checkpoint, kill 8 militants

Iraqi Security Forces and Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers killed eight militants after they were attacked at an Iraqi Army checkpoint with rocket propelled grenades and small-arms fire in northern Baghdad at approximately 2:30 p.m. March 27.

An MND-B aerial weapons team provided air support and engaged the terrorists, killing eight.

One Iraqi Army Soldier was killed during the attack and seven others were wounded.

The wounded Soldiers were treated at the scene and were evacuated to a local hospital.

“We offer our condolence to the families of the Soldier who was killed, and those who were wounded in their heroically successful efforts while standing their ground and defeating the terrorists,” said Lt. Col. Steven Stover, spokesman, MND-B.