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BAGHDAD, Iraq, August 7, 2006 - Iraqi policemen and Multi-National Division - Baghdad soldiers continued Operation Together Forward in southern Baghdad August 7. Policemen from the 2nd National Police Division and soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, attached to MND-B's 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, kicked off the operation with a cordon and search mission. "The overall goal is to promote security and bring stability throughout the greater Baghdad area," said CPT Paul Olsen, commander, Company A, 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment. "We will accomplish this by interdicting, or disrupting, (terrorist) activities and disrupting death-squad operations and movement." He added that essential services, in conjunction with combat operations, are also crucial to stability in the region and that MND-B and the government of Iraq will continue to provide and expand those services for the people of Iraq. Operation Together Forward is a combined collaboration of Iraqi Security Forces and MND-B. Working with the NPs has a two-fold effect, said Olsen, who hails from Leesburg, FL. Running combined operations allows MND-B soldiers to continue to teach ISF and help them to become more adept in their future role of assuming security for all of Iraq. "It also provides a clear message to insurgents that they cannot drive a wedge between Iraqi and American Forces because we are committed to doing this together," said Olsen. Ahmed, a member of the 2nd Battalion, 6th Brigade, 2nd NP Division, said he enjoys working with American soldiers and is confident that together they will accomplish their mission. "We are here to catch bad guys, stop (their) intimidation and bring peace (to) Baghdad," he said. During the search of an apartment building, a family offered their hospitality to the combined patrol of NPs and Company A soldiers. After serving chai tea and food, the family stated that they were happy that the Iraqis and Americans were patrolling and searching the area and for the sense of security that came with the trained professionals being there. Citizens like these may help decide the future of the city -- and the future of the country. What happens in Baghdad will affect the outcome of the whole nation, said Olsen. "Baghdad is the center of gravity (for Iraq). Whoever wins the fight for Baghdad will determine the future of Iraq," he said. ISF and Coalition Forces will continue to take a strong stand and fight for the future of Iraq and the Iraqi people, added 2LT Jack Irby, fires officer, Company A. It will be a long and hard fight, but they will keep fighting until the mission is accomplished. The search yielded three detainees, an AK-47 and two handguns
with ammunition, a mortar, anti-Coalition Forces and anti-Iraqi
government propaganda pamphlets and more than 60 identification
cards and papers that could potentially be used as fake IDs. (PAO, 4th Infantry Division) 
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