MOSUL, IRAQ
05.30.2006
Courtesy Story
345th Public Affairs Detachment

MOSUL, Iraq (May 22, 2006) –As the second wave of Operation Lion Hunt closes out, Iraqi police executed cordons and searches throughout Mosul, Iraq with the assistance of the 549th Military Police.

According to Staff Sgt. Gregory Kleinholz , platoon sergeant, 549th MP’s, and a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, the purpose of Lion Hunt II was to further develop the IP’s in cordons and searches while reducing the insurgency in the Ninewah Province.

“The Iraqi police are at a critical phase in the developmental process,” said Kleinholz. “The training process is on-going in the fight against the insurgency. The Iraqi Police grow with every mission.”

Kleinholz said not only are the IP’s trying to conduct their missions independently, but they are also recruiting new officers to supplement the IP Force. The 549th MP’s will remain with the IP to ensure continuity in training at all levels.

“Once we have accomplished that, we will begin the final phase of our mission, to assist the Iraqi police in developing their own training program,” said Kleinholz.

According to Spc. Stavius Jenkins, 549th MP, 2nd platoon, 3rd Squad, Bravo team, and a native of Atlanta Ga., who executed this mission along side the IP, the mission was positive all around. The training was great, and they found an improvised explosive device, leaving one less they have to worry about while on patrol.

“Lion Hunt and Lion Hunt II were designed to remove the insurgents from the region making the area safer and to train the Iraqi police to execute cordons and searches with little or no notice,” said Staff Sgt. Jeremy Lucas, squad leader, 2nd plt., 549th MP, and a native of Detroit, Mich.

“We now follow the Iraqi police and observe their operation ensuring they execute inner and outer cordons, along with searching dwellings properly.”

“There has been a vast improvement in the last year; you can really see a huge difference in the way they operate throughout the missions. The Iraqi police have total confidence and the mission results speak for themselves,” said Lucas. “I don’t think it will be much longer before they are completely independent and will no longer need the help of coalition forces.”